2025 iQFOiL World Championships in Aarhus - Day 4
by iQFOiL Communications 10 Jul 06:19 BST
4-11 July 2025
The Final Series begins in Aarhus as Gold and Silver fleets battle under the Nordic evening light
The first day of the Final Series at the iQFOiL World Championship brought both patience and intensity to Aarhus Bay. With the fleets now split into Gold and Silver, racing was set to resume with high pressure and limited wind. After hours of waiting ashore under unstable conditions, the long-anticipated Delta flag was hoisted at 6 PM, and just thirty minutes later, the Gold fleet was on the water for their opening race.
Thanks to the long Nordic daylight, the Race Committee managed to complete four races for both Men and Women, with a fifth for the Women's Heat A before the wind died completely. The day began with two Upwind Sprint races in winds ranging from 10 to 13 knots, before switching to Slalom format as the breeze started to fade.
Emma Wilson (GBR 7) put together a stellar day with two wins, a third, and a discarded seventh, moving into the overall lead. Right behind her is Tamar Steinberg (ISR 216), with two bullets, a ninth, and a discarded DNS. Theresa Steinlein (GER 799), who at one point led the day, now sits in third, after an 11 and a tough final race (27, discarded). The Israeli women's squad continues to shine, with four sailors in the top eight ahead of Friday's Medal Series, which will be contested by only the top 8. Notably, Maya Gysler (NOR 21), just 18 years old, sits in seventh and is one of the youngest competitors in the fleet.
"It was a really long day but it's important to get the racing in. I'm happy with my day, four out of five good races is pretty impressive here with such tricky conditions," said Emma Wilson. "Normally I'm in bed at this time, but I a happy with the day I like all the formats and maybe I just needed time to warm up in the Championship. This place is difficult but I'm starting to figure it out".
In the Men's fleet, Andy Brown (GBR 360) moved into the overall lead after a solid performance despite an early setback in the first race. He holds just a one-point advantage over Italy's Nicolò Renna (ITA 150), who scored two third-place finishes, a 13th, and a BFD. Nicolas Goyard (FRA 465), is tied on points with Renna, and Kiran Badloe (NED 9), three points behind, who rebounded with two wins in the last races of the day, after two bad opening ones. Brazilian Mateus Isaac (BRA 7) had a great day after a slow start in the Championship and is now in fifth.
"We stayed ashore for five hours and only got racing after 6 PM," said Mateus Isaac (BRA 7). "I started well, then the second wasn't great, but then we switched to slalom, with reaching starts, something I've done all my life. I had two strong races to close and I'm climbing the rankings. Nothing is over yet, but I'm happy".
Looking ahead, conditions tomorrow are expected to mirror today, with another likely late start. Racing continues as the battle intensifies for a place in Friday's Medal Series.
Live streaming of Day 5 will be available on the iQFOiL Class YouTube and Facebook pages, and on World Sailing's channels.
Rewatch Wednesday's Livestream here:
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