iQFOiL Open European Championship 2024 in Cagliari - Overall
by iQFOiL Class Communications 11 Oct 2024 17:53 BST
5-11 October 2024
iQFOiL Open European Championship 2024 © Sailing Energy / iQFoil Class
The 2024 iQFOiL European Championship in Cagliari, Sardinia, came to a spectacular close today as Daniela Peleg (ISR) and Pawel Tarnowski (POL) were crowned the new European Champions after a week of intense competition.
The championship, hosted by Windsurfing Club Cagliari, saw 120 athletes from 28 nations push their limits in varying conditions to claim the coveted title.
A dynamic final day
Today's conditions in the Gulf of Poetto were both challenging and tactical, featuring light, gusty, and shifty offshore winds from the north/northwest, with flat seas. The fickle nature of the breeze forced two of the Men's races to be abandoned, while most of the day's action was raced in the Slalom format, except for the Women's quarterfinal. Despite the unpredictable conditions, the athletes delivered a great showdown to close out the event.
Women's fleet: Daniela Peleg shines
In the Women's fleet, Daniela Peleg (ISR) stole the show with a flawless performance. Starting the day in the semifinal after being ranked third yesterday, Daniela (who is going to be 20-year-old shortly) powered through to win the semifinal and carried her momentum into the final, where she clinched the European title. Maya Gysler (NOR), who had dominated the Qualifying Series, finished in second place at only 18-year-old, while Anastasiya Valkevich (POL) rounded out the podium in third after climbing her way from the quarterfinal. A fantastic achievement from Anastasiya who was forced to stop competing for a while.
"I'm really excited to have won the European Championship," said a thrilled Daniela Peleg. "I felt pretty good throughout the whole week. We had two Slalom days, which went well for me, and one Course racing day, where I felt okay but not as strong as during the Slalom races. Today was a solid day for me; I managed to win both the semifinal and final in light wind. I felt in great shape, able to pump through the entire race and make some good tactical decisions on the downwind." She added, "The main goal, of course, is the Olympics in 2028, but there's still a long way to go. The World Championship in 2025 is the next big step, and I'll be starting my training with the new 7.3 sail. I want to thank my family and friends back in Israel and my coach - this win is for all of you!"
Men's fleet: Tarnowski's steady grip on the title
Pawel Tarnowski (POL), who led the Men's fleet going into the final day, maintained his composure and focus to secure the championship title. As the top-ranked sailor from yesterday, Tarnowski went straight into the final and managed to hold off the competition, claiming victory after a tight race with two British athletes who had just won their tickets in the semifinal. Andy Brown (GBR) delivered a solid performance to take second place, with Matt Barton (GBR) finishing third.
"It's been an incredible season for me, and I'm absolutely thrilled," said a delighted Pawel Tarnowski. "So many emotions this year, starting with the vice World Championship title in February and now ending on a high note with this win at the Europeans, winning against some of the best sailors out there has been truly amazing. It's been a fantastic week with a lot of fast and dynamic races, and we wrapped it all up with a great final. I'm really happy I was able to execute my plan just the way I wanted to - it was an unforgettable experience." Tarnowski also expressed his pride in representing Poland on the world stage: "I can't forget the honor of representing my country at the Olympics and carrying the Polish flag on the sail at the Games - it's something that fills me with immense pride. I'm grateful to be where I am now, and I hope I can continue this journey for many more years. I want to thank everyone who made this possible, especially my family, coach, and sponsors."
A week of unpredictable conditions
The week in Cagliari was marked by a wide range of weather conditions, from the early days of Slalom races under moderate breezes to midweek delays due to calm and stormy weather, and finally, the Mistral that arrived just in time to set up the decisive Course races. The athletes, with one of the youngest fleet to ever compete in an open event, showed remarkable skills and adaptability in handling everything from light, gusty offshore winds to steady, strong breezes.
"It's been a more challenging week than I had hoped for," said Ewa Jodlowska, the Principal Race Officer. "The wind here is usually quite steady, with the sea breeze kicking in around 1 p.m., so I expected smooth sailing and to have everything wrapped up by 3 p.m. Instead, we had some weather systems working against us, and we ended up doing more Slalom races than planned, even during today's Medal Series. It wasn't easy, but all in all, it has been a great Championship."
The 2024 iQFOiL European Championship not only tested the sailors' physical and tactical abilities but also highlighted the depth of the fleet, with many young athletes making a strong impression as they began their journey toward the next Olympic cycle.
Looking ahead
The conclusion of the European Championship marks the beginning of the next Olympic four year cycle for the iQFOiL class, with many athletes already setting their sights on the next big events and the road to the Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
Congratulations to all the competitors and a special thanks to Windsurfing Club Cagliari, the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV), and all the volunteers who made this event possible.