iQFOiL EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2026 IN PORTIMÃO

Luuc Van Opzeeland and Tamar Steinberg lead the fleets, who today competed respectively in Course Racing and Upwind Sprint

Portimão, Portugal – May 19, 2026 – After an opening day sailed in steady northwesterly conditions, the 2026 iQFOiL Open European Championships continued today in Portimão, with the fleet returning to the waters off Praia da Rocha for the second day of competition. Yesterday’s racing immediately established the tone for what is proving to be a highly competitive championship, with 192 athletes from 42 nations now fully immersed in the demanding six-day regatta.

Today’s conditions offered a very different challenge from Day 1. The thermal breeze arrived later in the afternoon, building from approximately 16:30 onwards and ranging between 8 and 11 knots from around 270 degrees. Compared to the opening day, the airflow was more westerly, lighter and significantly less stable, creating a technical racecourse where maintaining speed through transitions and identifying the best pressure lanes became essential.

The fleet was divided across two separate race areas, each featuring a different racing format and tactical approach.

In the Bravo Race Area, the Men competed in Course Racing, one of the core disciplines of iQFOiL competition and a format designed to test the full spectrum of tactical and technical skills. Raced on classic windward-leeward courses with multiple upwind and downwind legs, the format requires athletes to constantly balance speed, positioning and strategic decision-making throughout each race.

In the Men’s fleet, Dutch Olympic bronze medallist Luuc Van Opzeeland (NED 55) moves into the overall lead after another highly consistent day on the water, highlighted by two race wins in the four races completed today. Denmark’s Johan Søe (DEN 37) remains firmly in contention in second place overall, while Australia’s Grae Morris (AUS 81) climbs to third after a solid performance in the lighter thermal conditions. Britain’s Finn Hawkins (GBR 19), who had initially led the championship after Day 1, now sits fourth overall following a costly UFD penalty despite continuing to show excellent speed across both race formats. Italy’s U23 sailor Federico Alan Pilloni (ITA 286) continues to impress in fifth overall after another strong day that included a race win. Italy also places Nicolò Renna (ITA 150) and Luca Di Tomassi (ITA 5) inside the provisional top ten after eight races completed in Portimão. Following a Jury decision, Race 1 of the Men series, sailed yesterday, was officially reinstated into the overall standings and is now included in the provisional classification.

Meanwhile, in the Alpha Race Area, the Women fleet raced in the Upwind Sprint format, a much shorter and more explosive discipline focused on acceleration, precision and rapid tactical execution. Raced on compact upwind courses and lasting between just 2 and 5 minutes, the format leaves almost no margin for error. Success in Upwind Sprint racing depends heavily on immediate acceleration off the start line, clean board handling and the ability to maximize VMG while making fast tactical decisions under pressure.

Israel’s Tamar Steinberg (ISR 216) strengthened her grip on the overall lead with an exceptional performance in the lighter conditions. The 19-year-old U23 sailor delivered an almost perfect scoreline of 1, 1, 1 and 19, comfortably maintaining first place overall thanks to her consistency and speed. Norway’s Maya Gysler (NOR 21), also U23, moves into second place after a very solid day featuring three race wins, confirming her strong form throughout the championship. China’s Zheng Yan (CHN 37) climbs to third overall following a highly consistent series in the afternoon races.

With different formats, changing Atlantic conditions and close overall standings, the 2026 iQFOiL Open European Championships continue to test every aspect of modern Olympic windfoiling as the battle for the European titles intensifies in Portimão. Tomorrow we’ll get into the Final Series, with both groups separated in Gold and Silver fleets.

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EVENT AT A GLANCE

Where: Portimão, Portugal
When: 18 - 23 May 2026
Who: 192 athletes from 42 nations
Follow: https://veledepoca.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=…28&e=d92d634e8e and YouTube

Website: https://veledepoca.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=…ca&e=d92d634e8e

Entry List: https://veledepoca.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=…e5&e=d92d634e8e

Rsults: https://veledepoca.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=…74&e=d92d634e8e

Image credit: Sailing Energy / iQFOiL International Class

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LEVANTE RETURNS AS FINAL SERIES OF THE iQFOiL EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP BEGINS IN PORTIMÃO

Course Racing and Sprint Racing test the fleet on a demanding Day 4 as Tamar Steinberg and Luuc Van Opzeeland maintain their leads

Portimão, Portugal – May 21, 2026 – After a full day ashore yesterday, racing resumed today at the 2026 iQFOiL Open European Championships in Portimão. Conditions proved far more favorable today, as the Levante settled earlier and strengthened steadily across Praia da Rocha. Blowing from approximately 115 degrees at around 15 knots, the southeasterly breeze allowed the organizing team to remain fully on schedule, with the first warning signal sent ashore at 11:30 for the Gold Men fleet.

The championship has now officially entered the Final Series, marking a key turning point in the regatta. From this stage onwards, the top 50 percent of the fleet in each category compete together through Friday, significantly increasing the level of direct competition between the highest-ranked sailors. At the conclusion of the Final Series, on Saturday May the 23^rd, the top ten athletes overall will qualify for the Medal Race Series, where the 2026 European titles will ultimately be decided.

The day began with three Course Racing contests, later in the afternoon, the Race Committee shifted to Sprint Racing for the final two races of the day. The transition between formats dramatically changed the racing dynamic, creating spectacular action both on the water and for spectators ashore, while testing the versatility of the fleet across contrasting disciplines.

In the Women’s fleet, Israel’s Tamar Steinberg (ISR 216) continues to lead the championship after another demanding day in the Final Series, despite more mixed results in the five races completed today. The young U23 rider managed to retain control of the standings thanks to her strong consistency across the week, including another race victory in the final contest of the day. The provisional podium is all made by U23 sailors, China’s Wenqi Li (CHN 17) climbs into second overall after a very solid performance featuring a race win and consistently strong finishes throughout the day’s varied conditions. Norway’s Maya Gysler (NOR 21) remains firmly in third place overall, while Israel’s Shahar Tibi (ISR 3) moves up to fourth after an excellent comeback day highlighted by a race victory and several top finishes. Italy’s Olympic gold medalist Marta Maggetti (ITA 157) and Britain’s Emma Wilson (GBR 7) all remaining within striking distance heading into the final stages of the championship, respectively in eight and ninth place.

In the Men’s fleet, Luuc Van Opzeeland (NED 55) maintains the overall lead after another intense day in the Final Series, despite a costly UFD penalty in one of today’s five races. The Dutch rider responded immediately with a race victory in the final race of the day. Australia’s Grae Morris (AUS 81) climbs into second overall after a strong and steady performance in the Levante conditions, while Denmark’s Johan Søe (DEN 37) remains third and firmly in contention heading into the final stages of the regatta. Italy’s U23 sailor Federico Alan Pilloni (ITA 286) continues his impressive championship in fourth overall after another highly competitive day that included two top-three finishes. Fellow Italian Nicolò Renna (ITA 150) moves up to fifth overall thanks to a race win in the Upwind Sprint, while France’s Nicolas Goyard (FRA 465) remains in the fight in sixth.

With the Final Series now underway and direct battles intensifying among Europe’s top riders, the 2026 iQFOiL Open European Championships enter their decisive phase in Portimão.

iQFOiL OPEN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: LUUC VAN OPZEELAND AND TAMAR STEINBERG CROWNED EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS IN PORTIMÃO

Spectacular Medal Series conclude six days of racing in Portugal as the titles are decided live on the Atlantic waters of Praia da Rocha

Portimão, Portugal – May 23, 2026 – The 2026 iQFOiL Open European Championships came to a thrilling conclusion today in Portimão, Portugal, with spectacular Medal Series racing deciding the new European Champions after six demanding days on the Atlantic waters of Praia da Rocha.

In the end, it was Dutch Olympic bronze medallist Luuc Van Opzeeland (NED) and Israel’s rising star Tamar Steinberg (ISR) who secured the 2026 European titles. Denmark’s Johan Søe (DEN) and Italy’s U23 standout Federico Alan Pilloni (ITA) completed the Men’s podium, while New Zealand’s Aimee Bright (NZL) and another Israeli sailor, Shahar Tibi (ISR), claimed second and third respectively in the Women’s fleet.

Hosted by Clube Naval de Portimão, the championship brought together 192 athletes from 42 nations, who throughout the week faced a complete range of iQFOiL formats and Atlantic conditions — from tactical Course Racing to explosive Sprint formats, thermal breezes, Levante winds and ocean swell.

Saturday’s Medal Series featured only the top 10 athletes from the Final Series standings, with sailors progressing through Quarter Finals and Semi Finals before reaching the decisive Grand Finals. The action was also broadcast live on the official iQFOiL YouTube Channel, allowing fans worldwide to follow the final showdown live from Portugal.

In the Women’s Medal Series, the Quarter Final immediately delivered close racing. Spain’sPilar Lamadrid (ESP) got off to an excellent start, but it was Israel’s Shahar Tibi (ISR) and France’s Hélène Noesmoen (FRA) who rounded the first gate in front. Noesmoen briefly took the lead on the upwind leg, before Tibi showed superior downwind speed to take control of the race and secure victory. Behind her, Lamadrid managed to edge Noesmoen in an exciting sprint to the finish line to claim the second qualifying spot.

The Semi Final once again saw Lamadrid and Tibi dominate from the start, both sailors leading the race from start to finish to advance into the Grand Final.

The Grand Final itself produced one of the highlights of the championship. Lamadrid once again nailed the start, but overall leader Tamar Steinberg quickly found her trademark speed and arrived first at the top mark. The fleet compressed again at the bottom gate, while Shahar Tibi steadily closed the gap and fully rejoined the fight at the second upwind mark. In the decisive exchanges, Steinberg remained calm under pressure and secured the race win needed to become the 2026 iQFOiL European Champion.

New Zealand’s Aimee Bright, thanks to the advantage point carried into the Grand Final as second-ranked sailor from the Final Series, secured second place overall, while Shahar Tibi completed the podium after an outstanding run all the way from the Quarter Finals.

The Men’s Medal Series delivered even more drama. In the Quarter Final, Israel’s Yoav Omer (ISR) did not have the best start but chose to split from the fleet early on the course, a tactical move that paid off and allowed him to build a comfortable lead and secure a place in the Semi Final. France’s Tom Arnoux (FRA) qualified in second.

The Semi Final then exploded into chaos at the start, with not one, not two, but three sailors over early. Italy’s Federico Alan Pilloni, Israel’s Tom Reuveny, and Yoav Omer all had to restart with a five-second delay penalty. Despite the setback, Reuveny judged the upwind layline perfectly to climb back into contention and secure his place in the Grand Final together with Pilloni.

The decisive Men’s Final started with a perfect launch from both Luuc Van Opzeelandand Denmark’s Johan Søe, each entering the race already carrying a match point advantage. On the first downwind, however, Italy’s Federico Alan Pilloni attacked aggressively and briefly took the initiative in the race.

Van Opzeeland responded immediately on the following upwind leg, regaining control and rounding the top mark ahead of Pilloni. Despite a tense final downwind where the Dutchman nearly lost control, he held his composure to cross the finish line first and officially become the 2026 iQFOiL European Champion.

Johan Søe secured second overall thanks to his match point carried into the Grand Final, while Federico Alan Pilloni completed a breakthrough regatta by taking an outstanding bronze medal against one of the strongest fleets of the Olympic cycle.

After six days of high-level racing in every possible condition the Atlantic could offer, the 2026 iQFOiL Open European Championships confirmed Portimão as one of the premier venues for Olympic windfoiling, while underlining the extraordinary depth and competitiveness of the iQFOiL class as the road toward Los Angeles 2028 continues.

Women – Final Podium

1. Tamar Steinberg (ISR)

2. Aimee Bright (NZL)

3. Shahar Tibi (ISR)

Men – Final Podium

1. Luuc Van Opzeeland (NED)

2. Johan Søe (DEN)

3. Federico Alan Pilloni (ITA)