iQFoil Youth & Junior European Championships at Circolo Surf Torbole - Overall

by Elena Giolai 9 Jul 2023 17:16 BST 1-8 July 2023

The final day of racing at the iQFOiL Youth & Junior European Championships brought an exhilarating culmination to the week-long event. With the medal series taking center stage, the top 10 windsurfers in each category battled fiercely for the coveted podium spots and the honor of being crowned European champions.

The day commenced with an equipment check at 9 am, where the competitors showcased their gear and underwent safety inspections. Following a slight delay due to light winds, the medal series finally got under way. As the top 10 riders hit the water, a multitude of supporters and teammates flocked to the scene, taking advantage of coach boats to witness the intense action up close.

In the U19 men's fleet, the medal series began with a final race featuring the top-ranked sailor, Harry Joyner from Australia, who had automatically qualified for the final. Joining him were Federico Pilloni from Italy and Igor Lewinski from Poland. The trio engaged in a heated battle, with Pilloni surging ahead early on and establishing a comfortable lead. Demonstrating exceptional skill and composure, Pilloni maintained his position throughout the race, securing the gold medal. Joyner put up a valiant fight but ultimately settled for silver, while Lewinski claimed the bronze. The Italian who competes in the name of Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and is part of the Young Azzurra team Pilloni expressed his joy, stating, "This victory is the best way to end this incredible week. I congratulate Harry Joyner, Igor Lewinski, and Jacopo Gavioli; they have been fantastic opponents during these days."

In the U19 women's category, Carola Colasanto from Italy secured her place in the final, accompanied by Danielle Ziv from Israel and Kristyna Pinosova from the Czech Republic. The trio engaged in an intense battle, with the lead constantly changing hands. Ultimately, it was Pinosova who emerged triumphant, capturing the gold medal. Reflecting on her achievement, Pinosova said, "This is an absolute dream come true for me. I have worked so hard to get here, and to see it all come together is incredible." Colasanto claimed the silver medal, while Ziv took home the bronze.

The U17 boys' saw Frenchmen Kylian Manhaval automatically qualified for the Final. Joining him were Peleg Rajuan from Israel and Hoël Quintric, also from France. Rajuan displayed exceptional skills and determination, securing the gold medal with an impressive finish. Manhaval clinched the silver, while Quintric claimed the bronze. Rajuan expressed his excitement, stating, "I'm very, very excited to be the new European Champion. It was a really hard week, but I'm super thankful for everyone around me who supported me during this journey."

In the U17 girls' fleet, Caterina Tomas Cardell from Spain earned her spot in the final, joined by Medea Falcioni from Italy, who was also competing in the U15 subcategory, and Ada Tan from Turkey. Falcioni and Tan delivered an exhilarating battle at the start, with the two closely vying for the lead. Falcioni displayed exceptional skills, eventually pulling ahead and securing the gold medal for Italy. Tan claimed the silver, while Cardell took home the bronze. Falcioni expressed her elation, stating, "I feel exhausted but so, so happy. I learned so much racing against these incredible girls. It was great racing against them, and I'm incredibly happy to make this happen."

The iQFOiL Youth & Junior European Championships showcased the immense potential of the iQFOiL class, with a staggering 422 young athletes competing together. Surpassing their goal of reaching 400+ participants, the class demonstrated its growing popularity and the bright future that lies ahead.

As the sun sets on an unforgettable event, the top 10 rankings in each category stand as follows:

U19 Men:

1. ITA 286 - Federico Alan PILLONI
2. AUS 22 - Harry JOYNER
3. POL 30 - Igor LEWINSKI
4. LAT 29 - Davis MAZAIS
5. ITA 345 - Jacopo GAVIOLI
6. POL 777 - Trepczynski STANISLAW
7. ITA 155 - Leonardo TOMASINI
8. POL 107 - Maciek PIETRZAK
9. GBR 319 - Boris SHAW
10. SWE 28 - Vidar NYSTRÖM

U19 Women:

1. CZE 289 - Kristyna PINOSOVA
2. ITA 239 - Carola COLASANTO
3. ISR 369 - Danielle ZIV
4. GBR 309 - Darcey SHAW
5. NOR 21 - Maya GYSLER
6. EST 127 - Emma Viktoria MILLEND
7. POL 122 - Aleksandra WASIEWICZ
8. CZE 80 - Nela SADÍLKOVÁ
9. ITA 4 - Linda OPRANDI
10. FIN 402 - Sofia HÄMÄLÄINEN

U17 Boys:

1. ISR 851 - Peleg RAJUAN
2. FRA 1908 - Kylian MANHAVAL
3. FRA 261 - Hoël QUINTRIC
4. POL 242 - Jakub GUZLECKI
5. TUR 2008 - Artun SENOL
6. ESP 480 - Antonio MEDINA RODRIGUEZ
7. ISR 203 - Itamar LEVI
8. POL 2115 - Gustaw TRYBEK
9. ESP 334 - Jorge RUIZ LOPEZ
10. ISR 230 - Kfir GEFEN

U17 Girls:

1. ITA 57 - Medea FALCIONI
2. TUR 4108 - Ada TAN
3. ESP 340 - Caterina TOMAS CARDELL
4. HUN 70 - Hanna SIMON
5. ISR 100 - Maya BAREL
6. POL 71 - Maria RUDOWICZ
7. ITA 9 - Francesca Maria SALERNO
8. ISR 896 - Noa RAJUAN
9. ISR 205 - Alba KLEIN MEGHNAGI
10. FRA 475 - Juliette NAPOLÉONE

The iQFOiL Youth & Junior European Championships leave behind unforgettable memories of fierce competition and outstanding performances, highlighting the bright future of our sport.