Cádiz set to host 2025 iQFOiL International Games #2
by iQFOiL Communications 9 Mar 23:03 AEDT
8-14 March 2025
The vibrant waters and town of Cádiz are set to welcome some of the world's top iQFOiL windsurfers as the iQFOiL International Games #2 takes place from March 8th to 14th, 2025.
Following the thrilling opening event of the Los Angels 2028 Olympic cycle in Lanzarote, this competition will serve as a key battleground for Senior, Youth, and Junior classes, featuring over 240 athletes from around the globe. Racing starts tomorrow, March 10th, after the Official Opening Ceremony tonight, and it will go on until Friday the 14th, when the Medal Series will confirm the winners in the different categories.
With 44 Senior Women, 79 Senior Men, 65 U19 competitors, and 60 U17 competitors registered from 32 countries, the event will showcase the future of foiling windsurfing in one of the sport's most competitive arenas. Among the headliners is Bronze Olympic medalist Emma Wilson (GBR 7), who recently triumphed at the iQFOiL International Games #1 in Lanzarote and will be looking to continue her winning streak in Cádiz. On the starting line with her, Sharon Kantor (ISR 390), the U23 Silver medalist in Paris 2024. In the Men fleet the Paris 2024 Silver medalist, Grae Morris (AUS 81), will start right here in Cadiz his Olympic campaign for LA2028, it will be the first time racing for him with the new equipment. With him in the Senior Fleet also Kiran Badloe (NED 9), Tokyo 2020 Olympic Champion and three time World Champion, who has already competed in Lanzarote in January.
The event with combined Senior and Youth & Junior classes will be a nice chance for the younger ones to prove their worth, also in light of the new sails (8 meters for the Men and 7.3 for the Women) introduced since January.
Event Schedule:
- March 8-9: Registration & Equipment Check, Practice Race, and Opening Ceremony
- March 10-13: Opening Series Races
- March 14: Medal Series & Prize Giving Ceremony
A major highlight of the event will be the Medal Series on the final day, featuring the new race format that is being tested in these first events of 2025. Debuted in Lanzarote, the new medal series format 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. 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.
This event will also see the Senior fleet and the U19 comparing speed and maneuvering with the new sails. Men, both senior and U19, will now race with 8m" sails, while women (Senior and U19) 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.
Cádiz's renowned sailing conditions, combined with a highly competitive fleet, promise an action-packed week of racing. The venue presents a unique challenge due to its technical nature - athletes will have to navigate shifting winds, powerful swells, and complex currents, all of which require constant tactical adjustments. The exposed Atlantic-facing waters of Cádiz can generate sizeable waves, especially in March, when storm systems frequently pass through. These conditions demand a high level of skills in board control and foiling technique, as managing the chop and swell becomes just as important as speed and strategy.
Adding another layer of complexity is the urban setting of Cádiz itself. The city's surrounding structures and geography can create localized wind effects, with gusts and lulls making certain areas of the course particularly tricky to navigate. The event is also taking place during a transitional season, meaning competitors could face anything from steady thermal breezes to sudden squalls and stormy weather. This mix of elements ensures that only the most adaptable and well-prepared windsurfers will thrive, making Cádiz a true proving ground as the Olympic cycle progresses.
The regatta is held under the organization of the Andalusian Sailing Federation and the international iQFOil class, and is sponsored by the Diputación de Cádiz and the Consejería de Cultura y Deporte de la Junta de Andalucía, and with the collaboration of the Ayuntamiento de El Puerto de Santa María and Puerto Sherry
For updates and live coverage, follow the event on official iQFOiL social media channels and class websites.
View the entry list