iQFOiL International Games at 2025 Kieler Woche - Overall
by Rachele Vitello 25 Jun 20:51 BST
21-25 June 2025
The 3rd iQFOiL International Games at Kieler Woche came to a thrilling close today, with a full day of Medal Series racing under spectacular conditions. With winds ranging from 10 to 20 knots, every fleet was treated to intense battles and dramatic finishes, marking a fitting conclusion to a week of great foiling.
The day kicked off with the Youth and Juniors, whose medal series opened the action on the Kieler Woche stage.
In the U19 Men's category, Henrik Loset Eriksen (NOR 47) had to fight hard to keep his lead. Erik Leonard Wehkamp (GER 240) came through all the way from the Quarter Finals to win the first Grand Final, putting pressure on Eriksen. But the Norwegian stayed composed and sealed the overall win on the second run.
"I am happy I managed to finish in the first position, after the first final race in which these guys are very fast, so it's difficult to keep up but I was very happy that I managed to stay in the lead and get the victory", said Henrik Loset Eriksen.
In the U17 mixed fleet, Sweden's David Bleistein capped off a flawless week by winning his 11th race in a row. His dominance earned him the U17 Boys title.
"It was a good final, I got a pretty strong lead in the downwind I went fast, pushed it hard. It was a great weekend overall, I managed to get 10 bullets out of 10 races, and I am really looking forward to the next competitions", commented David Bleistein.
Anna Korevaar of the Netherlands missed the Grand Final by the narrowest of margins but secured the overall U17 Girls title after a consistent and impressive week of racing.
With the Youth divisions wrapped up, it was time for the Seniors to light up the course in front of a large crowd and strong media presence.
In the Women's fleet, it was an all-French showdown between Marion Coutourier (FRA 11), Ambar Papazian (FRA 19) and Lucie Belbeoch (FRA 18). Papazian took the first bullet of the Grand Finals, followed by Belbeoch in the second, setting up a winner-takes-all showdown. Coutourier showed her mettle, winning the final race and with it the event.
"Winning this event it was very, very nice. Today on the water we did the three Grand Finals and it was very tough with the French team performing so well. I'm very happy to be on the podium with my friends Lucy and Ambar, I think we'll prepare now for the Worlds, and we will try to keep it together and do the best the rest of the month", commented Marion Coutourier.
The Senior Men's medal series was nothing short of electrifying. In the Semi Final, Jeronimo Abogado (MEX 246) and Skip Brull (NED 173) jumped the gun and had to restart 5 seconds late, while Gunhak Choi (KOR 277) and Taehoon Lee (KOR 71) got away clean. But Choi crashed hard on the first reach, allowing Brull to charge back and win the heat, with Choi recovering just enough to also make the Grand Final.
With everything on the line, the Grand Final became a true showcase. Four finalists - Fabian Wolf (GER 404), Tomasz Romanowski (POL 125), Gunhak Choi (KOR 277) and Skip Brull (NED 173) - each won one of the first three races, forcing a final, all-deciding match. It was Germany's Fabian Wolf who delivered under pressure.
"Just finished the Grand Final here at Kieler Woche, it was as close as it can get, all four finalists had one bullet and the last race decided everything, you can't get any closer!! I'm really glad I could win the all-or-nothing race the end and take the win of the event!- Shout-outs to all the other three riders, it was really close", said Fabian Wolf.
Top 3 Senior Men
1. Fabian Wolf (Germany) - GER 404
2. Tomasz Romanowski (Poland) - POL 125
3. Gunhak Choi (Korea) - KOR 277
Top 3 Senior Women
1. Marion Coutourier (France) - FRA 11
2. Ambar Papazian (France) - FRA 19
3. Lucie Belbeoch (France) - FRA 18
Top 3 U19 Men
1. Henrik Loset Eriksen (Norway) - NOR 47
2. Erik Leonard Wehkamp (Germany) - GER 240
3. Paul Regber (Germany) - GER 17
Top 3 U17 Mixed
1. David Bleistein (Sweden) - SWE 201
2. Gustav Grünbaum (Germany) - GER 723
3. Gustav Louis Poeschke (Germany) - GER 311
Thank you to all sailors, teams, supporters, and the incredible organizing team at Kieler Woche. Next stop: the 2025 iQFOiL World Championships in Aarhus in about two weeks.
Updates and Results: