Inaugural X-15 Wingfoil World Championship 2026 hailed a great success
by Ava Hider 10 Nov 01:18 PST
4–8 November 2026
Brazil's Bruno Almeida won gold in the Under 15 - Inaugural X-15 Wingfoil World Championships © Sailing Energy
Five inaugural world champions crowned in Ibiza as Olympic experience, emerging talent and a shared passion for wingfoiling unite an international fleet
The inaugural X-15 World Championship has concluded in Ibiza, bringing together 107 riders from 24 nations and crowning five world champions in a significant milestone for the one-design wingfoil class.
The championship set a new benchmark for international representation in wingfoil world championship racing, bringing Olympic sailors together with young wingfoilers taking their first steps in international competition.
Hosted by Club Mare Nostrum at Port Nàutic Ibiza, with support from De Antonio Yachts, the championship welcomed competitors from across generations and sporting backgrounds. They were all connected by standardised equipment and the opportunity to become part of the class's first world championship.
For Svein Rasmussen, Founder of Starboard, the international turnout and the relationships formed throughout the week offered encouragement for the wingfoiler he and his team designed.
"To welcome 107 riders from 24 nations to our first world championship is something everyone involved can be proud of," said Rasmussen. "People have committed their time, trained and travelled to be here, and we are grateful for the belief they have shown in the X-15 Class.
"What excited me was seeing different generations come together so naturally. Young riders could learn alongside people with Olympic experience, share ideas with their competitors and discover what they can achieve. That willingness to help each other improve gives us a very positive foundation for the future.
"We're excited to see how World Sailing's conversations around the introduction of wingfoiling into the Olympic programme evolves. We have demonstrated the international appeal of the discipline, and wingfoilers are excited about the opportunity to campaign for an Olympic Games. The variety of formats the class demonstrates is important as it demonstrates just how exciting sailing can to international audiences."
At the heart of the championship was the X-15's one-design approach. Racing on standardised, class-approved equipment placed the emphasis on riders' technique, tactical decisions and ability to read the conditions. It also gives competitors a shared basis for learning, with conversations about equipment settings and racing techniques continuing throughout the boat park and on the water.
The first five world titles went to riders from five different nations, from four continents. Poland's Kamil Manowiecki and Germany's Jette Koep became the senior men's and women's world champions.
Holland Vierling of the USA secured the Under-19 men's crown, China's Yana Li won the Under-19 women's title and Brazil's Benjamin Almeida became the Under-15 world champion.
Their achievements reflected the different journeys represented in Ibiza. Vierling was competing at his first international event, while Li claimed her title at her first X-15 competition.
"We wanted everyone to feel part of this first world championship, whether they arrived with years of racing experience or were competing internationally for the first time," said Hider. "Seeing riders exchange advice, encourage each other and build friendships across countries has been a particularly rewarding part of the week.
"We would all have welcomed more wind, and the race committee worked hard to make the most of the opportunities available. The enthusiasm and patience shown by the fleet helped us create a week that people could enjoy and learn from together.
"Our thanks go to Club Mare Nostrum, Port Nàutic Ibiza and De Antonio Yachts, alongside the officials, volunteers, families and everyone who helped bring the championship to life. Staging a first world championship takes a great deal of commitment, and this was a shared effort."
With its first world champions now crowned, the X-15 Class leaves Ibiza with an international community on which to build.
"Our ambition is to help more people discover the enjoyment of racing and give them a clear route into the class," added Rasmussen. "Ibiza has shown what can happen when riders from different countries and backgrounds come together. We want to carry that enthusiasm forward and make the next opportunity to take part even more welcoming."
X-15 attention now turns to the X-15 Asian Cup this December out of Amara Watersports Club in Thailand, before an exciting calendar of events kicks off in January 2027.
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