iQFOiL: Van Opzeeland and Steinberg win iQFOiL European Championships in Portimão - Søe takes silver

After six intense days of competition, Luuc Van Opzeeland was crowned iQFOiL European Champion 2026. The Dutch Olympic bronze medallist prevailed against the top ten of the Final Series in the decisive Medal Series. Tamar Steinberg from Israel triumphed in the women's event. New Zealander Aimee Bright took second place, with Shahar Tibi completing the podium as the second Israeli. Denmark's Johan Søe secured silver in the men's race, while Italy's U23 athlete Federico Alan Pilloni took bronze. The competition, organised by the Clube Naval de Portimão, offered the 192 starters from 42 nations the full spectrum of the iQFOiL format. From tactical course racing and explosive sprints to thermal breezes, Levante winds and Atlantic swell, the athletes experienced every facet. The Medal Series on Saturday was broadcast live on the official iQFOiL YouTube channel.

Steinberg's confident path to the title

The women's quarter-finals have already delivered some thrilling duels. Spain's Pilar Lamadrid got off to a strong start, but Shahar Tibi and France's Hélène Noesmoen rounded the first buoy at the top. Noesmoen briefly took the lead on the cross before Tibi took control with superior downwind speed to take the win. Lamadrid secured the second qualifying place in a sprint against Noesmoen. In the semi-final, Lamadrid and Tibi dominated from the start. Both athletes led their races from start to finish and qualified for the grand final. The decisive race turned out to be the highlight of the European Championships. Lamadrid hit the start perfectly, but overall leader Steinberg quickly found her speed and was the first to reach the upper buoy. The field tightened up again at the bottom buoy, while Tibi steadily caught up and fully returned to the fight for victory at the second cross mark.

Steinberg kept her nerve in the decisive manoeuvres and secured the race victory, which earned her the 2026 European Championship title. Aimee Bright benefited from the advantage point she brought into the Grand Final as runner-up in the Final Series and finished second overall.

Dramatic heats in the men's event

The men's quarter-finals got off to a bumpy start for Israel's Yoav Omer. After a weak start, he decided early on to take a different course to the rest of the field. This tactical decision paid off and gave him a comfortable lead going into the semi-finals. France's Tom Arnoux qualified in second place. The semi-final was chaotic right from the start, with three athletes crossing the line too early. Federico Alan Pilloni, Tom Reuveny and Yoav Omer had to restart with a five-second delay penalty. Despite the setback, Reuveny judged the cross layline perfectly, worked his way back and secured his place in the Grand Final together with Pilloni.

The decisive men's final began with perfect starts from Luuc Van Opzeeland and Johan Søe in his first event after retiring from the PWA World Cup. Both already had a match-point advantage going into the race. On the first room sheet, Federico attacked Alan Pilloni aggressively and briefly took the initiative. Van Opzeeland responded immediately on the following cross, regaining control and rounding the top mark ahead of Pilloni. The Dutchman almost lost control of his board on the final space sheet, but kept his composure and crossed the finish line in first place. He was thus crowned iQFOiL European Champion 2026. Johan Søe secured second place overall thanks to his match point from the Grand Final. Federico Alan Pilloni crowned his breakthrough regatta with a bronze medal against one of the strongest fields of the Olympic cycle. After six days of top-class racing in all Atlantic conditions, the championship confirmed Portimão as a first-class venue for Olympic windfoiling and underlined the extraordinary depth of the iQFOiL class on the road to Los Angeles 2028.

The German starters did not take part in the Medal Series. Sophia Meyer finished the European Championships in 72nd place, having not competed after the first two days. Emma Schleicher took 61st place, while Max Körner finished 78th in the men's race, Lenny Friemel 83rd and Fionley Evans 96th.

Results iQFOiL-EM 2026

Ladies

1. Tamar Steinberg
2. Aimee Bright
3. Shahar Tibi

Gents

1. Luuc Van Opzeeland
2. Johan Søe
3. Federico Alan Pilloni

All results under 2026iqeuropeansportimao.sailti.com

The Medal Series to watch