The iQFOiL Youth & Junior International Games start today in Torbole on Lake Garda, the second major event on the international calendar and the first dedicated exclusively to the U17 (Junior) and U19 (Youth) categories. With 218 registered athletes from 23 countries and five continents, the event reflects the growth and diversity of the iQFOiL class, which will also be represented at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Almost 120 participants from 14 nations took part in the second round of the iQFOiL Italian Cup, which also took place in Torbole, as a warm-up at the weekend. For most of the starters, however, the focus is on the first major international iQFOiL regatta for young people and juniors on a lake. At the same time, the event is another live test for the new racing rules and the Medal Series format, which were introduced in January 2025, as well as for the new 7.3 m² rig for the U19 women and the now permitted use of carbon foils in the junior fleet.
Emma and Moritz Schleicher at the start
The competition begins on Tuesday, 6 May, with the first possible start at 13:00, followed by an official opening ceremony at 18:00, with the last day being 10 May. Despite an uncertain weather forecast, the organisers are hoping for the classic north wind breeze of Lake Garda. The race programme includes a dynamic combination of sprint races, which will be held in both downwind and upwind slalom formats with heat-based starts, tactical course racing and a long-distance marathon, which will be scored with double points.
From Germany, Emma Schleicher is taking part in the U19 women's event and her brother Moritz in the U17 men's event, as well as Nils Präger, Eddie Burger, Max and Matti Winkler (all U19 men) and Gustav Pöschke (U17 men).
