The Medal Series provided a fitting conclusion to a week of world-class foiling. The four finals rewarded the consistency shown in the Opening Series, whilst at the same time leaving everything open for the head-to-head battles. The conditions were at their best, enabling fair races of the highest standard. The format, featuring quarter-finals, semi-finals and grand finals, ensured maximum excitement right up to the final mark. Athletes from 36 nations had battled for seven days to qualify for the decisive races. In the end, four names appeared on the winners’ lists – all of whom proved their class at the decisive moments.
Moritz Schleicher dominates the U17 Boys’ Final and is crowned world champion
The U17 Boys’ title was decided following a fiercely contested medal series. Italy’s Davide Mecucci and Spain’s Gonzalo Ruiz Mendez came out on top in the quarter-finals. Frantisek Burda from the Czech Republic and Ruiz Mendez qualified for the Grand Final from the semi-finals. There, Germany’s Moritz Schleicher put in a commanding performance. He controlled the race from the start and secured the U17 Boys’ World Championship title. Italy’s Luca Pacchiotti took silver thanks to the match point he had carried over from the Opening Series. Frantisek Burda from the Czech Republic fought his way to the bronze medal.
A dramatic finale in the U19 men’s competition
The U19 Men’s event provided one of the most gripping stories of the day. The American Garrett January proved to be the standout performer in the Medal Series. He qualified for the next round from the quarter-final alongside the Dutchman Peyton Dits. In the semi-final, January fought his way into the Grand Final. In the first decisive race, the American sailed flawlessly and defeated the favourites, forcing a second final. In the all-deciding race, however, it was Italy’s Mattia Saoncella’s moment to shine. The Italian stayed hot on January’s heels throughout the race. On the second upwind leg, Saoncella found the decisive gap, took the lead and secured victory. Thanks to the match point he had carried over, he became the U19 Men’s World Champion. Despite his defeat in the final race, January took silver, whilst bronze went to Poland’s Leon Jankowski.
Stopchenko dominates the U19 women’s competition
The U19 Women’s Medal Series also featured several dramatic twists. Greece’s Danai Giannouli dominated the quarter-final and qualified alongside France’s Garance Chatelier-Daisay. In the semi-final, Giannouli once again appeared to be in control, but a mistake on the cross opened the door for Théa Le Borgne Zibetti from France and Rüya Uğurlu from Turkey. The pair secured their places in the Grand Final. There, Taisiia Stopchenko, competing for AIN, left no room for doubt. She led from start to finish and was crowned the 2026 U19 Women’s World Champion. Britain’s Sophie Clark secured silver thanks to the match point she had earned in the Opening Series. Rüya Uğurlu from Turkey completed the podium with bronze.
Kabasakal wins after a thrilling final sprint
The championship concluded with a spectacular Medal Series for the U17 girls. In the quarter-final, Anna Jannieke Korevaar from the Netherlands put in a flawless performance. She judged the lay line perfectly and qualified alongside Ece Melis Baş from Turkey. The semi-final saw Israel’s Noa Koren produce an outstanding tack, which secured her the race win and a place in the final. Alongside her, Turkey’s Nisa Üstündağ progressed to the Grand Final. The final duel of the day was once again packed with drama. Poland’s Michelle Urzykowski got off to an excellent start, but a crash after the first gybe ended her chances of victory prematurely. The overall leader, Parla Kabasakal from Turkey, seemed on course for the title, but briefly misjudged the final lay line. Noa Koren took the lead. On the final downwind leg, however, Kabasakal found some extra speed, drew level with the Israeli and prevailed in the sprint to the finish line. She was crowned the 2026 U17 Girls’ World Champion. Urzykowski secured silver thanks to the match points she had carried over, whilst Noa Koren completed the podium with bronze.
Turkey wins the Nations Trophy
The awards ceremony also honoured the U15 champions. In the girls’ event, Zeynep Mavioglu from Turkey won the title, whilst in the boys’ event, Refael Assaraf from Israel secured victory. The Nations Trophy went to Turkey, which was thus recognised for its outstanding performances across all youth categories. The 2026 iQFOiL Youth & Junior World Championships confirmed the Costa Brava as one of the world’s leading venues for the development of Olympic windsurfing. For a week, the world’s most talented young foilers came together for races that combined sporting excellence with fair play and international friendship.
Results of the 2026 iQFOiL Youth & Junior World Championships
U19 Men:
- 1. Mattia Saoncella (ITA) – World Champion
- 2. Garrett January (USA)
- 3. Leon Jankowski (POL)
U19 Women:
- 1. Taisiia Stopchenko (AIN) – World Champion
- 2. Sophie Clark (GBR)
- 3. Rüya Uğurlu (TUR)
U17 Boys:
- 1. Moritz Schleicher (GER) – World Champion
- 2. Luca Pacchiotti (ITA)
- 3. Frantisek Burda (CZE)
U17 Girls:
- 1. Parla Kabasakal (TUR) – World Champion
- 2. Michelle Urzykowski (POL)
- 3. Noa Koren (ISR)
U15 Girls:
- 1. Zeynep Mavioglu (TUR)
U15 Boys:
- 1. Refael Assaraf (ISR)
All results at 2026iqyjworldscostabrava.sailti.com
