Wind- & Kitesurfing

The sun and good conditions meant that all 10 Olympic classes on the bay of Palma had a full program yesterday. The kite-foilers, for the first time with the new measurement regulations (slightly smaller kites), completed 4 races. ----- Max Mäder SGP won all the heats in the men's event, and his Olympic revenge against gold medallist Valentin Bontus AUT seems to work out. The Austrian shares second place on equal points with Vojtech Koska CZE, followed by the Swiss in 13th (Gian-Andrea Stragiotti SUI), and 19th (Karl Mäder SUI) of the 63 participants. ----- In the women's race, the Chinese took a convincing triple lead: Si Wang CHN is one point ahead of Wan Li CHN. Lysa Caval FRA is 4th, followed by Olympic champion Ellie Aldridge GBR in 5th. ----- The 470s finished two heats, with Simon Diesch/Anna Markfort GER and Martin Wrigley/Bettine Harris GBR tied on points at the top. ----- In the 49er, 3 teams are tied for the lead after two races: Lucas Rual/Emile Amoros FRA, Richard Schultheis/Fabian Rieger GER and Keanu Prattner/Jakob Flachberger AUT. Joshua Richner/Corne Janssen SUI are 47th. ----- Freya Black/Saskia Tidey GBR and Johanne and Andrea Schmidt DEN share the lead in the 49ersFX with two heat wins each. ----- In ILCA 6, Emma Plaschaert BEL won both races. Maud Jayet SUI follows in 4th place, Rosine Baudet SUI is 29th, and Anja Von Allmen SUI 33rd of the 113 participants. ----- In the ILCA 7, Micky Beckett GBR, Ethan McCaully IRL, and Filip Jurisic CRO share the lead on equal points. Martin Verhulst follows in 101st place of the 181 participants. ----- In the iQ Foil Windsurf, Olympic medallists Grae Morris AUS and Luuc Van Opzeland NED lead, with Elia Colombo SUI in 39th place out of 107 participants. ----- Huancheng Zhao/Su Sha CHN are first in the Nacra-17 with places 2/1/1, followed by Gianluigi Ugolini/Maria Giubilai ITA and John Gimson/Anna Burnet GBR. ----- All rankings and the report.

The Olympic countdown for Los Angeles 2028 begins today in Palma with the Trofeo Princesa Sofia. 800 boats and boards from 54 nations are registered for the first World Cup of the year. Although not all Olympic medallists are taking part, numerous junior and newly formed teams ensure the highest level. ----- Worth mentioning is the change of 5-time ILCA Olympic participant Jean-Baptiste Bernaz FRA, who will compete in his 6th Olympic campaign in 2028 in the 49er with Jérémy Mion FRA. He will be up against 2008 Olympic champion Jonas Warrer DEN, who is making a comeback together with Mathias Sletten DEN. Also taking part are the Swiss junior teams Joshua Richner/Corne Janssen SUI and Pablo Rüegge/Finn Meichle SUI. ----- A strong Swiss team will be competing in the ILCA 6: In addition to Olympic fourth-placed Maud Jayet SUI, Anja Von Allmen SUI, who has a four-month training winter in Australia behind her, and Rosine Baudet SUI, who has already shown good results in her preparatory regattas in southern Europe, will also participate. ----- The two iQ-Foil windsurfing fleets are very competitive with all Olympic medallists; Switzerland is represented by Elia Colombo SUI and Sebastian Schärer SUI, as well as Elena Sendera SUI in the women's event. ----- In the ILCA7, four-time Palma winner Micky Beckett GBR will start as the favorite, having narrowly missed out on the bronze medal in Marseille under questionable circumstances in 4th place. Gauthier and Martin Verhulst SUI will be competing for Switzerland. The kite-foilers will have an Olympic rematch: Olympic winner Valentin Bontus AUT will be chased by series winner Max Mäder SGP. Switzerland will be represented by Felix Hecht SUI, Gian Stragiotti SUI and Karl Mäder SUI. ----- In the Nacra 17, Gianluigi Ugolini/Maria Giubilai ITA and the two-time Olympic medallists John Gimson/Anna Burnet GBR will probably duel for victory. Andrea Aschierî/Tine Rossel SUI and Marie Mazuay/Clément Guignard SUI will be competing for Switzerland. ----- All entry lists and the official preview.

The best conditions prevailed yesterday for the finals of the Dakhla World Cup. ----- Mathis Ghio FRA in the men's event and Maddalena Spanu ITA in the women's event came out on top. ----- The rankings and the report.

Yesterday, the qualifications for today's Medal Series were completed on Dakhla bay in fresh winds and flat water: The first two are directly in the final, and the ranks 3-9 decide the other two finalists. ----- Mathis Ghio FRA won the men's qualification ahead of Kamil Manowiecki POL and Francesco Capuzzo ITA. Thomas Goodricke SUI finished 9th in the Silverfleet (26th overall). ----- Maddalena Spanu ITA dominated the women's race yesterday again. Emilia Kosti GRE in 2nd place is also directly in the final. Cindy Robert-Mauron SUI in 9th place qualified for the Medal Series today. ----- The rankings and the report.

Yesterday there were good conditions again on the Moroccan Atlantic coast with around 20 knots, 8 more short track races could be sailed. Mathis Ghio FRA won 8 times in his group and took the lead ahead of Kamil Manowiecki POL. Maddalena Spanu ITA defended her lead in the women's race. The report.

The Wingfoil World Cup in Morocco began yesterday with the long-distance race. ----- Kamil Manowiecki POL won the men's race ahead of Julien Ratotti FRA, and Thomas Goodricke SUI was 21st. ----- Maddalena Spanu ITA won the women's race ahead of Iset Segura ESP. Cindy Robert-Mauron SUI is 9th. ----- The rankings and the report.

The iQ Games in Cadiz ended yesterday with the Medal Series, once again held in fresh winds. The constant windy conditions throughout the week created clear hierarchies in the 6 fleets. ----- The final of the Olympic men (Seniors) was exciting for a short time as the leader Grae Morris AUS had to let race winner Max Castelein NED catch up after a crash in the first final race. In the second final run, the Dutchman crashed and Olympic silver medallist Morris AUS won by a large margin. ----- Triple victory for Israel in the women's classification with Tamar Steinberg ISR at the top of the podium. Elena Sendera SUI followed in 30th place. No changes occurred in the U19 juniors: Kylian Manhaval FRA won the men's medal race too, and Robin Zeley SUI finished in an excellent 2nd place. The other Swiss sailors also did well in the fleet of the 48 participants, but did not make it to the final: Finley Evans SUI finished 11th, Devin Hauser SUI followed in 16th place. ----- In the U19 women's race, Ifke Van der Meer NED won all 13 races, including the final! ----- Julia Przybyl POL and Finn Brull NED won the U17 classifications. Ben Coldebella SUI and Miles Evans SUI followed in 44th and 45th place. ----- All rankings and the report.

Fresh winds between 25 and 32 kn allowed only the Olympic men three more sporty races in the big waves yesterday. ----- Grae Morris AUS won three times and thus qualified directly for the final in today's final series with second-placed Finn Hawkins GBR. Robin Zeley SUI is also directly in the final as the excellent 2nd of the U19 men. Ranks 3-8 will determine the other 2 starters in the final series today. ----- The rankings and the daily report.

Another Kiteboarding World Cup starts today on the Cape Verdean island. At the start 24 men and 12 women. The competitions can be followed via Live-Ticker. The preview.

Yesterday in Cadiz there were lighter winds for the first time. After some waiting time 4 sprint races were sailed, a new format that makes the races exciting even in light winds. With 3 race wins Tamar Steinberg ISR clearly took the lead, Olympic medallist Sharon Kantor ISR is already 12 points behind in 2nd place. Elena Sendera SUI is now 30th. There was also a triple winner in the men's event with Grae Morris AUS, but Finn Hawkings GBR remains close behind with a 4-point deficit. Kylian Manhaval FRA dominated the men's U19 classification with 4 race wins. Robin Zeley SUI is now 13 points behind in 2nd place, but was able to extend his lead over 3rd place to 25 points. Finley Evans SUI is now 11th and Devin Hauser SUI also improved slightly to 16th place. Yfke Van der Meer NED continues to lead the women's U19 rankings. Julia Przybyl POL and Finn Brull NED continue to lead the U17 rankings. All rankings and the daily report.

In slightly more moderate conditions than on the start day - although there were still big waves on the outer courses - 4 races were sailed yesterday. ----- With 4 race wins, Tamar Steinberg ISR took the lead in the Olympic women's fleet. Emma Wilson GBR, Olympic bronze medallist, and Daniela Peleg ISR follow 9 points behind in 2nd and 3rd place. Elena Sendera SUI is now 29th. ----- Grae Morris AUS (Olympic Silver) won 3 races and took the lead with a 2-point advantage over Finn Hawkins GBR. ----- Robin Zeley SUI (2/1/1/2) was the day's best in the U19 fleet and moved to within 4 points of Kylian Manhaval FRA, who continues to lead. Finley Evans SUI improved to 13th place, Devin Hauser SUI is now 18th of the 45 participants. ----- In the U19 women's classification, Yfke Van der Meer NED also won all 4 runs yesterday. ----- Julia Pryzibil POL extended her lead in the U17 women's classification to 9 points, while Finn Brull NED won 3 of the 4 heats in the U17 men's classification and extended his lead. Miles Evans SUI is now 44th, Ben Coldebella SUI is 46th ----- All rankings and the report.

Fresh winds of up to 25 knots and big waves prevailed yesterday at the start of the Foiling Games in Cadiz. All 6 fleets were able to finish 4 heats each. ----- Olympic medallist Emma Wilson GBR took the lead in the women's event with 3 race wins, followed by Shahar Tibi ISR in second place 6 points behind. Elena Sendera SUI is 31st of the 43 participants. ----- In the men's event, Finn Hawkings GBR leads by one point ahead of Olympic medallist Grae Morris AUS. ----- Kylian Manhaval FRA won all 4 races in the U19 classification, with Robin Zeley SUI an excellent 2nd, 5 points behind. The other Swiss are also doing well: Devin Hauser SUI is 16th, and Finley Evans SUI is 18th. ----- In the women's U19 classification, Yfke Van der Meer NED leads with 3 race wins. ----- In the U17 rankings, Julia Przybyl POL leads the women, and Finn Brull NED the men, Miles Evans SUI follows in 41st place. ----- All rankings and the daily-report.

There is good participation in the iQ Foil Games starting in Cadix today. ----- A total of 250 participants from 32 nations are competing in 3 categories (Senior, U19, U17, m & w each). The two Olympic fleets (senior) are very well represented. Elena Sendera SUI is participating in the women's race. ----- In the men's U19 competition, Robin Zeley SUI, Devin Hauser SUI, and Finley Evans SUI (all from DRC Sisikon) are among the 44 participants from 16 nations and 3 continents. ----- Ben Coldebella SUI and Miles Evans SUI are participating in the U17 competition. ----- The event website.

The first International Games of the year came to an end yesterday for the Olympic iQ Foil windsurfers in Lanzarote with the Medal Series. Johan Soe DEN and Emma Wilson GBR, who were already leading after the qualifications, secured the overall victory with another race win each in the Grand Final of the best 4. Noam Kobel SUI followed in 52nd place and Elena Sendera SUI finished 30th in the women's race. The rankings and the report.

The wind only picked up late yesterday, so the marathon that was originally planned was replaced by additional course races. The top 8 will contest the final series, with the top two seeded directly for the final. ----- Johan Soe DEN and Nicolo Renna ITA are through to the men's final, and Emma Wilson GBR and Shahar Tibi ISR are directly in the women's final. Olympic champion Marta Maggetti ITA in 4th place and Theresa Steinlein GER in 7th place are also in the final series. Noam Kobel SUI finished 52nd and Elena Sendera SUI was 30th in the women's race. ----- The rankings and the report.

Much wind (20kn+) prevailed on the third day of the International Games - again 4 course-races were sailed. ----- Johan Soe DEN extended his lead in the men's race to 16 points, and Nicolas Goyard FRA is still 2nd. Noam Kobel SUI follows in 50th place. ----- Emma Wilson GBR has taken the lead in the women's race, followed by Shahar Tibi ISR 5 points behind. Theresa Steinlein GER moved to 3rd place. The Olympic champion Marta Magetti ITA is 6th, and Elena Sendera SUI follows in 31st place. ----- The rankings and the report.

Sun, flat water and 20 knots of wind made for a perfect regatta day for the iQ-Foils. The women finished 5 course races, and the men completed four runs. ----- Johan Soe DEN is now the new men's leader, Nicolas Goyard FRA is 8 points behind in 2nd place, and Nicolo Renna ITA is 3rd. Noam Kobel SUI has moved up to 50th place. ----- Shahar Tibi ISR has taken the lead in the women's race, one point ahead of Emma Wilson GBR. Elena Sendera SUI is 31st. ----- The rankings, the report and the Facebook page with more videos.

After yesterday's practice race in 12-15 knot breeze, things get serious today with the start to the first race at noon. The Olympic windsurfing class will be sailing for the first time with new measurement rules limitting the sail size. Among the 93 participants are the Olympic Champion Marta Magetti ITA as well as Elena Sendera SUI and Noam Kobel SUI. ----- The event website and the Facebook page with daily report and video preview.

The Olympic iQ-Foil windsurfers start their first International Games of the year on Lanzarote. At the start are 39 women from 15 nations, including Elena Sendera SUI, and 62 men from 22 nations, including Noam Kobel SUI - the entry lists. Today the training race is on the program, tomorrow it gets serious. ----- The event website and the preview.

After Wednesday's flat day, conditions were good again yesterday in Jericoacoara, with both fleets finishing 8 races each. ----- Nia Suardiaz ESP continued her winning streak in the women's event and leads the classification with 11 wins in 12 races. Cindy Robert SUI is now 18th, while Kamil Manowiecki POL is now the sole leader in the men's race, with Francesco Cappuzzo ITA 2nd 2.5 points behind and Mathis Ghio FRA 3rd. ----- All rankings and the report.

Thunderstorms and shifting winds prevented further races in Brazil yesterday. After the long distance races on the start day, Kamil Manowiecki POL, Mathis Ghio FRA and Francesco Cappuzzo ITA share the lead on equal points. Nia Siardiaz ESP won all 3 women's races. ----- The rankings. The daily report introduces some of the numerous newcomer girls.

The windsurfers' Speed Week is currently underway again in the sheltered strong-wind bay of Lüderitz in Namibia. In ideal conditions, Antoine Albeau FRA managed to improve his own world speed record to 53.49 knots (98.5 km/h). Gunnar Asmussen GER set a new German record of 52.69 knots. The event website and the Facebook page.

The Wing-Foiler Racing World Cup began yesterday in Jericoacoara BRA with 3 long-distance races. A trio with equal points is in the lead in the men's race: Kamil Manowiecki POL, Mathis Ghio FRA and Francesco Capuzzo ITA are tied for the lead, with Yannik Holste GER following in 15th place of the 38 participants from 13 nations. In the women's event, favourite Nia Suardiaz ESP is in the lead with three race wins. Jelena Duwe GER follows in 9th place, Cindy Robert-Mauron SUI, the only Swiss in Brazil, had to miss the first two races and is 17th of the 19 participants. The rankings and the report.

The 4th and final Wingfoil World Cup of the year came to an end yesterday in Brazil. In the men's freestyle, Tomas and Aleksander Acherer AUT secured an Austrian double victory, Axel Gerard FRA came 3rd, while Christopher McDonald USA stayed ahead in the annual ranking. In the women's event, Nia Suardiez ESP also won the 4th World Cup of the year. Zara Maillard SUI, the only Swiss in Brazil, finished 4th in the slalom and was eliminated in the semi-finals of the freestyle. The report with the freestyle rankings, the rankings of the slalom and the replay of yesterday's live broadcast.

After dominating the qualifications, Maxime Chabloz SUI and Bruna Kajiya BRA also came out on top in the finals. ----- This is Chabloz's first World Cup victory after a series of 2nd places. Arthur Guillebert FRA followed in 2nd place, Finn Flügel GER was 3rd. ----- In the women's final, Kaja Lehmann GER finished 4th behind the clear winner Bruna Kajiya BRA. ----- The results, the report and the Facebook page.

Qualifying was completed yesterday in Brazil, followed by the quarter-finals. ----- On today's closing day, the semi-finals - with Maxime Chabloz SUI and Finn Flügel GER - and the final are on the program. In addition to favorite Bruno Kajiya BRA, Julia Heckhausen GER and Kaya Lehmann GER have also qualified for the women's semi-finals. ----- All results and the daily report. If possible, we will broadcast the finals live this afternoon.

The Freestyle World Cup in Brazil kicked off yesterday with the first heats in perfect conditions. ----- All the favorites won their runs, including Maxime Chabloz SUI and Finn Flügel GER. ----- The results and the daily report.

The second Freestyle World Cup of the year starts today in Brazil. ----- Maxime Chabloz SUI is the favorite in the Men's event, having won the first World Cup in Dunkerque last summer. 15-year-old Finn Flügel GER and Karim Mahmoud EGY also have a chance of a top result. ----- In the Women's event, victory will likely go to four-time world champion Bruna Kajiya BRA. ----- The preview.

After the Twin-tips and Hydrofoils, the Surfboards also finished their World Cup yesterday. ----- James Carew AUS defended his World Cup title with flying colors. ----- The results and the Facebook page.

The twin-tip (symmetrical boards that ride in both directions) and Hydrofoil finals were on the program in Brazil yesterday. ----- Andrea Züst SUI came out on top in the final of the best 4 hydrofoils. ----- Mikaili Sol BRA, already back in the lead after a one-year break from competition, won the twin-tip. ----- The report and the results. Today it's the men's turn (with Peer Schnyder SUI in the Hydrofoils), and we'll be broadcasting live again.