Adrenaline, Strategy, and a Quest for the Medal Series Spots
The 2024 iQFoil European Championship in Cagliari continued to dazzle on Day 5 with a remarkable shift in weather as the famous Sardinian Mistral wind arrived. After days of varied conditions, the northwest breeze between 12 and 16 knots finally set the stage for five dynamic course races for both men and women. These races marked the final day of the Qualifying Series, with all 120 athletes from 28 nations showcasing their skills and determination.
A Fierce Battle for the Medal Series
With the end of the Qualifying Series in sight, all eyes were on the top 10 spots in both the men’s and women’s rankings, as athletes vied to secure their place in the Medal Series. For the competitors, the stakes were high, and the strategy was key.
Among the men, Pawel Tarnowski from Poland, an Olympian, made an impressive comeback, reclaiming his position at the top of the leaderboard. He was closely followed by Luca Di Tomassi of Italy (Fiamme Gialle), who has consistently been among the top competitors. France’s Adrien Mestre also remained in contention, securing a solid third place.
Further down the rankings, athletes like Joost Vink from the Netherlands and Finn Hawkins of Great Britain also claimed their spots in the Medal Series. Italian Manolo Modena (Circolo Surf Torbole) placed sixth, with Olympic bronze medalist Luuc Van Opzeeland from the Netherlands close behind. The top 10 was rounded out by British sailors Matthew Barton and Andy Brown. Unfortunately, Sardinian competitor Federico Pilloni (Young Azzurra-YCCS) just missed out, finishing in 19th place.
In the women’s fleet, it was Norway’s Maya Gysler, a silver medalist at the iQFoil International Games & U23 World Championships in July 2024, who took the lead. Following her were Israeli sailors Daniela Peleg, Tamara Steinberg, and Shahar Tibi, securing strong positions in the top four. After leading the rankings earlier in the week, British competitor Islay Watson dropped to fifth but still made it into the Medal Series, keeping her hopes alive. Dutch Olympian Sara Wennekes, Poland’s Anastasiya Valkevich, and Norway’s Mina Mobbek also earned their spots. Israeli sailor Maya Morris completed the top 10.
Italy’s Sofia Renna (Circolo Surf Torbole) and Carola Colasanto (Tognazzi Marine Village) finished in 14th and 16th place, respectively, missing out on the Medal Series but putting in solid performances throughout the competition.
Italian Hopes and Reflections on the Competition
Italian sailor Luca Di Tomassi (Fiamme Gialle), winner of the iQFoil category at the Italian Olympic Classes Championship – Edison Next 2024, reflected on the intense competition: “There are many strong competitors, especially the French team. There’s also Luuc Van Opzeeland, an Olympic bronze medalist, who’s always a challenge.” Di Tomassi, who has extensive experience training in the Gulf of Angels, commented on the conditions: “We’ve trained a lot in Poetto, especially during the colder months. This week has been tricky, with wind conditions not playing in our favor as much as usual.”
Looking Ahead: More Sailing Action in Sardinia
After the conclusion of the iQFoil European Championship, the Sardinia Sailing Cup will continue with even more thrilling events. Starting October 15, the Foil International Academy Trophy, part of the Next Generation Foil Academy project powered by Luna Rossa, will take place. This event will feature Waszp Foil boats and will be led by federal coach Alessandra Sensini. From October 16 to 20, the WingFoil Racing World Cup Italy will kick off, and the number of participants continues to grow in anticipation of this special event, recognized by World Sailing.
In November, Cagliari will host the International Development Programme, a week dedicated to international Para Sailing, with races held in the waters of Su Siccu, continuing the city’s tradition of inclusive and world-class sporting events.
A Strong Partnership and Support
The Sardinia Sailing Cup, including the iQFoil European Championship, is promoted by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia’s Department of Tourism, Crafts, and Commerce, and supported by the Municipality of Cagliari, ensuring a continued spotlight on this vibrant sailing hub.
The competition is set to conclude tomorrow, with the Medal Series kicking off in the morning, followed by the awards ceremony. With a full week of intense competition behind them, the athletes are ready to give it their all as the 2024 iQFoil European Champions will soon be crowned.