The iQFOiL Youth and Junior World Championship 2023 took place in Cádiz, Spain during the last week of October. More than 360 athletes from 30 different countries joined the competition for the Youth and Junior World Title. At the end of the event, the U19 and U17 World Champions were crowned in both Men’s and Women’s fleets. The wind conditions were up and down from light 8-10 knots up to 20-22 knots throughout the whole competition window. The iQFOiL athletes were combining slalom races and technical races according to the current wind situation. On the last day, we could see heated medal races which decided the 2023 World Champions.
The iQFOiL U17 World Champion Kylian Manhaval about the final medal race:
“The wind is light and we have to wait until 3 pm to go on the water. Due to the light wind, the format of racing for the medal is a slalom course. That’s not a problem for me because I am here to win whatever the condition and the wind. My start on the final is good. I am not first but I am upwind from the 2 others above all with a good speed. I managed to arrive in first place on the first mark. On downwind, I choose to control the best sailor, the Spanish sailor Antonio Medina who sails in his home spot and who has shown his skills the whole week. It is a good choice as I arrive first on the downwind mark. I manage the end of the race and I win the final in the medal race! I am so happy to win this event. After a second place in the European Championship in Torbole, I really wanted to win, and it’s done!”
The new iQFOiL U19 World Champion Tuva Oppedal about winning the Title:
“Cadiz was a great place to sail. It wasn’t too strong wind during this event, but it was no problem. We still finished 17 races, so I’m happy with it. The medal race was quite nerve-wracking, especially before the start. But as soon as the 3 minutes went up, I was so focused on the race, that I kind of forgot about the nerves. I tried to pump myself up to a good position and managed the key jibe, so I could be in the controlling position. My plan for the next season is to focus more on the senior racing. So one day I become a senior World Champion.”
The Final Results
U19 Women
- Tuva Oppedal (Norway)
- Sophia Meyer (Germany)
- Kristyna Pinosova (Czech Republik)
U19 Men
- Leonardo Tomasini (Italy)
- Davis Mazais (Latvia)
- Igor Lewinski (Poland)
U17 Women
- Francesca Maria Salerno (Italy)
- Martina Mantovani (Spain)
- Medea Falcioni (Italy)
U17 Men
- Kylian Manhaval (France)
- Antonio Medina Rodriguez (Spain)
- Titouan Lethuillier (France)
Photo Credit: Sailing Energy
