iQFoil Games Lanzarote: Towards the 2028 Olympics with new sails and a new mode
SURF Redaktion
· 28.01.2025
At first glance just a contest without a title, but the iQFOiL Games on Lanzarote mark the start of the Olympic cycle for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. From 28 January to 2 February, the Marina Rubicon, which has often hosted top-class regattas, will host the first races under partly new auspices.
After criticism: New Medal Race mode under test
Because there are some groundbreaking changes in the iQFOiL class:
- Smaller sails: We have already reported on thisThe men will now ride the 8.0 instead of the previous 9.0 and the women will get a new 7.3. These changes are aimed at creating equal opportunities for lighter athletes and ensuring an easier transition from youth to adults
- A revised format for the Medal Races: At the iQFOiL Games on Lanzarote, a new mode for the Medal Races will be tested for the first time, which includes several important innovations to increase fairness and excitement. In this revised structure, only the top eight athletes from the opening series will progress to the Medal Races, up from ten previously. The knockout system will remain in place for the quarter-finals and semi-finals, with the athletes ranked 8th to 5th starting in the quarter-finals and the top two athletes advancing to the semi-finals in 3rd and 4th place. From there, two more athletes will move on to the grand finals, where four instead of three athletes will now compete. The two best athletes in the opening series automatically qualify for the final heats, where the aim is now to achieve two victories. The leader of the opening series is already credited with a win and therefore has an advantage. Theoretically, there could therefore be up to four final heats. These changes are aimed at rewarding consistency and raising the level of the competition for all participants. The previous format was repeatedly criticised, most recently at the Olympic Games.
Without Kördel, but with Steinlein and Stuhlemmer
After the première in Paris and Marseille, all the big names on the iQ scene will be coming together for the first time. Eight participants from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be competing in the men's event, led by former Olympic champion Kiran Badloe. The 2024 World Champion Nicolo Renna, European Champion Pawel Tarnowski and U23 World Champion Finn Hawkins also promise a close competition. Germany's Olympic starter Sebastian Kördel is no longer taking part, having reportedly ended his career. According to the start list, Lenny Friemel and Max Körner with GER sail numbers will be taking part, as well as PWA star Johan Søe and Nicolas Goyard, among others. The gold medallist from Paris, Tom Reuveny from Israel, is not registered.
The women's field also promises to be just as intense with Olympic champion Marta Maggetti and Paris 2024 bronze medallist Emma Wilson. Also Germany's best iQFOiLer and Olympic sixth-placer Theresa Steinlein is at the start, as is Sophia Meyer and Lateral entrant Alica Stuhlemmer. Other well-known names are Sara Wennekes and the young talent Bobbi-Lynn de Jong from Bonaire.
More about iQFoil:
