2025 iQFOiL International Games in Lanzarote - Day 4
by iQFOiL Communications 1 Feb 13:03 EST
28 January - 2 February 2025
Course and Sprint Slalom racing replace the Marathon as the top eight sailors in each fleet secure their spots for the Grand Final.
The stage is set for the first Medal Series of the 2025 season, as the top eight Men and Women have secured their spots for tomorrow's knockout finale at the iQFOiL International Games in Marina Rubicón, Lanzarote. What was originally planned as the Marathon Race had to be revised due to unstable wind conditions in the open-water course between Playa Blanca and Los Lobos Island, just off Fuerteventura. Instead, the Race Committee opted for more course racing and to then finish the Sprint Slalom races, allowing the fleets to complete their full Opening Series with a total of 16 races.
Søe Maintains Lead in Men's Fleet, Jasiunas Sneaks into the Top 8
The Men's fleet completed three course races, with overall leader Johan Søe (DEN 37) kicking off the day with another win, reinforcing his stronghold at the top of the rankings. Lithuania's Rytys Jasiunas (LTU 7) claimed victory in the second race of the day, a crucial win that pushed him into the Medal Series cut, securing the final eighth spot. The last course race was won by Louis Pignolet (FRA 57), but it wasn't enough for him to advance - he finishes ninth overall missing the top eight. The last sailor to qualify for the Medal Series is Adrien Mestre (FRA 4).
Emma Wilson Secures Comfortable Lead in Women's Fleet
In the Women's fleet, Emma Wilson (GBR 7) delivered another solid performance, finishing second in both races and maintaining a 12-point lead at the top of the rankings heading into the final day. Theresa Steinlein (GER 799) took the first race win of the day advancing to the Medal Series in seventh place, even with a Black Flag in the last Sprint Slalom race. The second race saw Anastasia Valkevich (POL 6) cross the finish line first, adding bullets in her scoresheet this week.
Finishing the Sprint Slalom Heats and Wrapping the Opening Series
With the course racing concluded around 1,30pm, the Race Committee seized the opportunity to finish the incomplete heats of the Sprint Slalom heats from Day 1. The Men raced first, followed by the Women, who then completed an extra Sprint Slalom race to ensure both fleets met their full quota of 16 Opening Series races.
A New Medal Series Format to Crown the Champions
Tomorrow will see the first test of a new Medal Series format, designed to make the final battle for the title more intense and engaging:
- Quarter-Final: Sailors ranked 5th to 8th compete, with the top two advancing to the Semi-Final.
- Semi-Final: The top two from the Quarter-Final meet the sailors ranked 4th and 3rd from the Opening Series. Again, the best two move forward.
- Grand Final: The top two from the Semi-Final will join the top two from the Opening Series. The first sailor to win two races will be crowned champion.
- Opening Series Reward: The leader of the Opening Series enters the Grand Final with one race win already secured, while the second-ranked sailor enters with zero. The final ranking is decided based on numbers of bullets and finishing order in the very last race.
Tomorrow, Lanzarote will crown its first iQFOiL champions of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle, with racing starting at 12,30pm.
Top 8 - Men
1. Johan Søe (DEN 37)
2. Nicolò Renna (ITA 150)
3. Nicolas Goyard (FRA 465)
4. Nacho Baltasar (ESP 4)
5. Manolo Modena (ITA 27)
6. Kiran Badloe (NED 9)
7. Rytis Jasiunas (LTU 7)
8. Adrien Mestre (FRA 4)
Top 8 - Women
1. Emma Wilson (GBR 7)
2. Shahar Tibi (ISR 3)
3. Anastasia Valkevich (POL 6)
4. Marta Maggetti (ITA 157)
5. Islay Watson (GBR 20)
6. Sara Wenneke (NED 33)
7. Theresa Steinlein (GER 799)
8. Palma Cargo (CRO 9)
Event Partners
The 2025 iQFOiL International Games in Lanzarote are organized by Marina Rubicón, with sponsorship from Turismo Lanzarote through its sports tourism product, "Lanzarote Sports Destination." Additional support comes from the Cabildo de Lanzarote through the Insular Sports Service, the Art, Culture, and Tourism Centres of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, the Yaiza Town Hall, the Canary Islands Sailing Federation, DinghyCoach, and the Latin Sailing Federations.
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