iQFoil: Sebastian Kördel second ahead of Mallorca - Sam Sills wins after photo finish
The iQFoilers also took part in the traditional Trofeo Princesa Sofia regatta off Mallorca, which features several Olympic classes. Reigning world champion Sebastian Kördel proved to be in top sporting and mental form.
In light winds of around seven to nine knots, the man from Lake Constance led the iQFoil men's classification for a long time. He also survived an unsuccessful race in which he missed the start in the front row by just a small margin and subsequently did not make it to the finish in the time limit. "Now we need a good race that we can include in the classification," said Kördel's British coach Dom Tidey afterwards. Kördel showed strong nerves and delivered. Kördel made up for minor mistakes with plenty of experience, great skill and mental strength. "I'm making fewer mistakes and have improved my sailing and strategy," said the 32-year-old in the harbour of Can Pastilla.
He almost won again in Spain. As a reminder: in the iQFoil, as in all Olympic sailing classes, the final ranking is only determined at the very end in the "Medal Race". Prior to this, a ranking list is drawn up in numerous heats, from which the top ten then compete in the race for the medals. Whoever comes out on top wins gold - even if he or she is only tenth in the Gold Fleet.
Kördel overtaken by Sam Sills just before the finish line
"I killed the start," he said proudly after the final. However, the Brit Sam Sills passed him in the final sprint after a brief misinterpretation by Kördel and crossed the finish line just ahead of the German. For Kördel, silver remains an enormous confirmation of the successful co-operation with coach Dom Tidey and the international training group.
He is the undisputed number one in the German Sailing Team. Although his younger team-mate Fabian Wolf (NRV) was able to move up to 26th place in the field of 136 iQFoilers with a strong final spurt off Mallorca, Kördel is unlikely to be a threat on his Olympic course. The third German starter Jonne Heimann finished 98th.
Emma Wilson also won the women's race with the Union Jack in her sail. Theresa Steinlein came 34th, Alisa Engelmann was 40th, former Worldcupper Lena Erdil was 46th and Helena Wanser finished 64th.
