iQFOiL World Championship coming to Weymouth in 2026
by RYA Press Office 14 Jul 10:52 BST
2025 iQFOiL World Championships in Aarhus, final day © Sailing Energy / iQFOiL Class
The world's top Olympic windsurfing talents will showcase high-performance hydrofoil racing on UK waters next year as the RYA has been confirmed as host for the 2026 iQFOiL World Championship.
The Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy - home to Olympic triumphs, elite sailing development and world-class racing - will see up to 250 of the best riders battle it out for glory from 21-26 September 2026, including the British Sailing Team's double Olympic medallist and local star Emma Wilson.
Great Britain will be defending the women's and men's World Championship titles on home waters next year, with Wilson and teammate Andy Brown having both claimed gold at the 2025 edition which wrapped up in Aarhus, Denmark, last week.
The iQFOiL was introduced as the Olympic windsurfing equipment for the Paris 2024 cycle, providing edge-of-seat racing and speeds which can hit 35kts (65kph).
It will be the first time the UK has hosted a major championship in the class, and the first World Championship on UK waters in an Olympic windsurfing discipline since 2009.
'Fantastic opportunity'
Gonzalo Costa Hoevel, the iQFOiL Class Manager, said: "It's great to go to Weymouth & Portland, a well-known and appreciated venue with a strong track record of hosting major events like World Championships and the Olympic Games in 2012.
"The conditions are excellent and very diverse, with flat water inside the harbour and more open, challenging conditions outside, offering a great range to properly test the sailors, as a Worlds should. The iQFOiL community has been strong from the very beginning in the UK, both in Youth & Junior and Senior fleets, and it's great to bring a major championship to support the area and its sailing legacy and inspire the younger generations."
RYA CEO Sara Sutcliffe said: "We're thrilled to be hosting the iQFOiL World Championship in Weymouth & Portland — the home of the British Sailing Team — as we look ahead to the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
"Great Britain has an outstanding history in Olympic windsurfing, with podium finishes at each of the last six Games, including at the iQFOiL's Olympic debut at Paris last year. The 2026 Worlds will be a fantastic opportunity to see our top athletes compete with the very best on home waters, help develop emerging talent, and spark new interest in watersports and the marine environment among local young people."
Double Olympic medallist and 2025 World Champion Emma Wilson said: "We have a big squad in the UK, all training every day, so for us to show our home to everyone else, I think it'll be really cool and it's probably one of the best places to iQFOiL in my opinion!
"I've gained a lot through windsurfing. I went full time when I was 16, so nearly 10 years of my life. I think it teaches you a lot of lessons and I hope we can inspire some young kids to come and do what we do."
Legacy partnerships
UK Sport has provided National Lottery funding for the regatta, and the RYA will be working in partnership with the iQFOiL Class, Dorset Council and WPNSA to deliver the event.
The award of the event supports the RYA's strategy to bring a major championship to the UK during each Olympic cycle.
It follows on from the success of the 2023 Formula Kite Europeans in Portsmouth, which provided inspiration both on and off the water through a home gold medal for Ellie Aldridge combined with an influential social impact programme connecting almost 400 youngsters with watersports, STEM activities and the opportunities of their waterfront city.
The 2026 iQFOiL World Championships similarly aims to serve as catalyst for both social and environmental progress in Weymouth & Portland, delivering a comprehensive social impact programme which engages local young people through participation opportunities, mentoring, and education initiatives.
The event will also promote sustainability and support environmental education efforts and initiatives to protect the local coastline and marine habitats such as seagrass seahorse projects.
Esther Britten, Head of Events and External Affairs at UK Sport, said: "We are delighted that the UK will host the iQFOiL World Championship in 2026. The support of The National Lottery has been instrumental in bringing this event to the UK as part of our commitment to ensure live sporting events take place in every corner of the country."
Racing is planned to start on Monday 21 September 2026 and will run through to a gripping knockout finale on Saturday 26 September 2026, held in front of onlookers at a harbourside Race Village, as well as streamed live online.
Cllr Nick Ireland, Leader of Dorset Council, said: "We're delighted that Dorset will host the iQFOiL World Championship in 2026, and provide top class competition for the benefit of both the sailing world and our local community.
"It's important that we continue to build on the success of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing competitions and the hosting of numerous World, European and National Championships over recent years, and we look forward to working with the RYA, the iQFOiL class and WPNSA to deliver a memorable and impactful event for competitors, fans and future generations."