iQFOiL International Games at 2025 Kieler Woche - Day 4
by Rachele Vitello 24 Jun 20:28 BST
21-25 June 2025
The fourth and penultimate day of the 3rd iQFOiL International Games in Kiel delivered full-throttle action as athletes across the Senior, Youth, and Junior fleets raced to secure their spots in the all-important Medal Series.
With winds exceeding 25 knots, both senior fleets completed five demanding course races, making it a critical and physically intense day on the water.
In the Senior Men's fleet, local sailor Fabian Wolf (GER 404) stormed into the overall lead with two standout race wins. Tomasz Romanowski (POL 125) now holds second overall, still within striking distance for the title.
Continuing their charge from Day 3, Skip Brull (NED 173) and Jeronimo Abogado (MEX 246) secured their spots in the top eight with solid performances across the board. Also advancing are Max Körner (GER 800) and Oscar Buch (DEN 13), who held their nerve to make the cut in seventh and eighth place respectively. Two Korean sailors also made it into the top 8, Gunhak Choi (KOR 277) and Taehoon Lee (KOR 71), respectively in third and sixth position.
"We just finished the last day of the qualifying series and I managed to get in the top 8 for the medal series tomorrow, and I'm pretty happy about that. It was a very rough day today with the ups and downs but luckily I made the cut at the end!", commented Oscar Buch, eight in the ranking.
In the Senior Women's fleet, Marion Couturier (FRA 11) remains on top and secures direct access to the Grand Final, joined by Sophia Meyer (GER 3) after another strong day.
"More rain and wind today, we had again very strong wind like yesterday, maybe just a bit less, like 20 / 25 knots and I'm very happy about my performance, I was consistent and it was the key to let me kept the lead. So tomorrow I'm willing to continue this way and maybe win the event.. it would be really nice!", said Marion Couturier.
The big move came from Zara Rozeboom (NED 252), who soared to fourth overall and books a place in tomorrow's Semi Final. Chiara Ferretti (ARG 5) also qualified with consistent top finishes, rounding out the final group of contenders.
"We just came from the water and I had a pretty good day, I started off with two bullets, so I'm really happy cause it was also my first win in the iQFOiL Senior fleet! After that I just had some steady results and now I'm in fourth place going into the semi finals tomorrow, so I couldn't be happier!", commented Zara Rozeboom.
Among the Youth & Junior divisions, the day brought no major changes in the rankings, though competition remained fierce in the strong breeze. In the U17 Mixed fleet, Anna Korevaar (NED 157) continued her impressive form and goes directly to the Semi Final. Ginevra Giunti (ITA 234) will enter the Quarter Final ranked eighth, with a chance to move up in the final standings.
With all eyes now on tomorrow's Medal Series, the 2025 iQFOiL International Games are heading for a dramatic close. Stay tuned to see who will claim the titles across the divisions.
Updates and Results: