On the second day of the iQFOiL International Games, the race organisers respond to the challenging conditions off the Andalusian coast. After a promising morning, the wind stabilised at under ten knots. The decision is made quickly: all six fleets switch from the planned format to slalom racing. This measure allows for a full racing programme despite the light breeze. The conditions present the athletes with new tactical challenges and lead to significant shifts in the overall rankings.
Lamadrid thrills home crowd
Spanish Olympic sailor Pilar Lamadrid delivers a strong performance in front of her home crowd. She climbs from third place to the top position in the Senior Women's Fleet. Czech Nela Sadilkova moves up to second place, while her compatriot Katerina Svikova drops from yesterday's leading position to third. The slalom races play into the hands of Lamadrid, who can utilise her local knowledge and experience in light wind conditions. In the senior men's race, Onur Cavit Biriz from Turkey is defending his lead. The Brazilian Olympian and SailGP sailor Mateus Isaac slips to second place. Rytis Jasunas from Lithuania maintains his position in third place and shows consistent performances over both days of competition.
Frenchwoman dominates U19 women
Thea Le Borgne Zibetti from France is the first fleet of the day on the water and delivers the performance of the day. With two wins and two second places, she works her way up from third position to the top of the U19 Women's Fleet. Ruva Urgulu from Turkey improves to second place overall, while Lucia Guardiola Beltran from Spain slips from second to third. The lead in the U19 men's fleet remains stable: Jorge Ruiz Lopez from Spain continues to lead the fleet after two days of racing. Dutch sailor Peyton Dits holds second place, while Kfir Nov from Israel has moved up to third place. The younger athletes are benefiting from the three completed races, which offer them more opportunities to collect points.
U17 categories remain constant
A mixed picture emerges in the U17 fleets. The podium for the U17 women remains unchanged: Parla Kabasakal from Turkey confidently defends her lead. Anna Jannieke Korevaar from the Netherlands holds second place, Maria Miarczynska from Poland confirms third position. The three races consolidate the existing ranking in this category. It was a different story in the U17 men's race: Swann Manhaval from France took the overall lead. Enric Patino Riutord from Spain drops back from first to second place. Gonzalo Ruiz Mendez, also from Spain, confirms his third place and completes a Spanish-French podium. The slalom races bring a new dynamic to the youngest men's category.
Outlook for upcoming race days
After two days of competition, the fleets have settled into the regatta rhythm. The different formats - course racing on the first day, slalom on the second - test the versatility of the athletes. The conditions in El Puerto de Santa María remain a variable that requires tactical skill and adaptability. The race organisers are showing flexibility and making the most of every opportunity for fair competition. In the coming days, the athletes will try to consolidate their positions or work their way forwards. Developments in the senior categories, where the gaps between the top finishers are narrow, remain particularly exciting.
All results at a glance: 2026iqgamescadiz.sailti.com
