2025 iQFOiL Youth & Junior World Championships - Day 2
by iQFOiL Communications 27 Jul 06:14 AEST
24-31 July 2025
The 2025 iQFOiL Youth & Junior World Championships finally got under way on the water today in Brest with an intense second day of racing for the 379 young windsurfers representing 38 nations.
With around 10 knots of breeze from the northwest, the Race Committee opted for Sprint Slalom courses across all divisions, giving the athletes a chance to show off their speed and tactical skills downwind.
In the U19 Men, only one counting race was completed, with a second interrupted and one heat left unfinished. This left the rankings tight, with multiple athletes winning their respective heats. French sailor Kylian Manhaval (FRA 1908) stood out, winning both of his heats and positioning himself to move into the lead once the remaining heat is completed.
The U19 Women completed three races, with Medea Falcioni (ITA 57) emerging as the day's top performer, claiming two bullets. Tied on points in second are Zofia Zarzecka (POL 114) and Yfke Van del Meer (NED 252), with Zarzecka delivering an impressive debut in the U19 fleet, scoring a win and a second place.
"Today was actually our first day of racing since yesterday we didn't complete any", said Falcioni. "We finished three Slalom races and the first two were really awesome for me, because I won them both. I'm happy with my starts and managed to keep the lead. The last race was good too, but a bit more tactical, I should have stayed on the left because Francesca and Maya passed me on the final reach. All in all, a really good day and very nice conditions".
In the U17 Girls division, TSZ Yuet Cheung (HKG 24) was flawless, taking two wins from two races to lead the fleet. Garance Chatelier-Daisay (FRA 58) and Parla Kabasakal (TUR 3504) round out the top three.
The U17 Boys saw two completed races and a spread of winners, with Peyton Dits (NED) standing out thanks to two impressive victories, placing him at the top of the overall standings. Behind him, no fewer than six sailors are tied on four points each, highlighting the close competition at the front of the fleet.
With just one day of racing completed, the leaderboard remains wide open and plenty more action is expected in the days to come until the Medal Series on Thursday July the 31st.
The Championship officially kicked off with a festive Opening Ceremony on July 24th, as athletes from all 38 nations paraded in the iQFOiL village in Brest. The atmosphere was electric, with local crowds turning out in force to welcome the sailors and celebrate the start of this premier youth windsurfing event. The colorful procession was a fitting launch to a week of high-level international sport and friendship.