Marina Rubicón in Lanzarote to host first iQFOiL International Games of the LA 2028 Olympic Cycle
by iQFOiL Class Communications 28 Jan 08:57 NZDT
28 January - 2 February 2025
The iQFOiL Class is ready to set the tone for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle as Marina Rubicón welcomes the first iQFOiL International Games of the new Olympic cycle.
From January 28 to February 2, this stunning venue will host five days of high-octane racing amidst the iconic volcanic landscapes, steady trade winds, and year-round sunshine that make Lanzarote a sailor's paradise.
As one of the premier destinations for iQFOiL competition, Lanzarote has become a staple in the International Games circuit. This marks the third consecutive year that Marina Rubicón has partnered with the iQFOiL Class to deliver world-class events, following last year's highly successful World Championships and Olympic qualifiers. Once again these events have been made possible thanks to the institutional support of the Tourism area of the Lanzarote Cabildo through the sports product European Sports Destination (managed by SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote), the Yaiza City Council and the collaboration of the Royal Canarian Sailing Federation, and the private entities Dinghycoach
New rules for a new era
This year's Games will see the introduction of updated rules and equipment, signaling the iQFOiL Class's commitment to inclusivity, athlete progression, and innovation. The most notable changes include:
- Sail Sizes Reimagined: Men will now race with 8m" sails, while women will compete with newly designed 7.3m" sails. These changes aim to create a fairer playing field for athletes of all body types and ensure an easier transition from youth to senior fleets, with aligned sail sizes reducing costs and training adjustments.
- A Revamped Medal Race Format: The iQFOiL Games in Lanzarote will mark the debut of a testing process for a new medal series format that introduces several significant updates to enhance fairness and excitement. In this revamped structure, only the top 8 athletes from the Opening Series will advance to the medal series, compared to the previous 10. The knockout system remains in place for the Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals, with athletes ranked 8th to 5th starting in the Quarter-Finals and the top 2 advancing to join the 3rd and 4th ranked athletes in the Semi-Finals. From there, 2 more will move on to the Grand Final, which now features 4 athletes instead of 3. Notably, the top 2 athletes from the Opening Series automatically qualify for the Grand Final, with the Opening Series leader carrying forward 1 win, giving them an advantage. The ultimate champion will be crowned in the Grand Final based on the number of wins, with the first athlete to achieve 2 victories securing the title. These changes aim to reward consistency and elevate the level of competition for all participants.
Star-studded lineup
The first event of the new Olympic cycle has drawn an impressive fleet of athletes, including some of the biggest names in the sport.
In the men's fleet, eight competitors from the Paris 2024 Olympics will be on the start line, led by former Olympic champion Kiran Badloe (NED), with 2024 World Champion Nicolo Renna (ITA), European Champion Pawel Tarnowski (POL), and U23 World Champion Finn Hawkins (GBR) promising tight competition.
The women's fleet also speaks of equally intense competition, with Olympic champion Marta Maggetti (ITA) and Paris 2024 bronze medalist Emma Wilson (GBR) headlining the action. Rising stars such as Darcey Shaw (GBR), U19 World Champion, and Shahar Tibi (ISR), 2023 World Champion, will also be vying for glory.
A chapter begins
The iQFOiL International Games #1 in Lanzarote is more than just the start of a new Olympic cycle - it's a showcase of the class's evolution. With established champions defending their titles and fresh talent looking to shake up the leaderboard, this event sets the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable journey to Los Angeles 2028.
The future of windsurfing starts here.