iQFOiL Senior European Championship at Circolo Velico Sferracavallo - Overall
by iQFOiL Class 29 Nov 2025 19:48 GMT
23-29 November 2025
Daniela Peleg (ISR) and Luuc van Opzeeland (NED) crowned champions in Sicily
Thrilling Medal Series closes the 2025 iQFOiL European Championship at Circolo Velico Sferracavallo
The final day of the iQFOiL European Championship in Sicily brought a perfect mix of tension and triumph as the Medal Series unfolded under a cloudy sky that soon gave way to steady wind and spectacular racing. With 12 to 14 knots of westerly breeze and a solid chop rolling through the racecourse, the top 10 athletes in each fleet battled for the European title.
Women's Medal Series: Back-to-Back Glory for Peleg
The Women's Quarter Final saw Maya Gysler (NOR) and Medea Falcioni (ITA), just 15 years old, advance in a challenging heat that included a dramatic crash by Falcioni after hitting a floating object, yet she recovered to claim her spot in the Semis.
There, the two rising stars faced off with Olympic Champion Marta Maggetti (ITA), Tamar Steinberg (ISR), and Palma Cargo (CRO). Maggetti took the win, while Gysler earned her place in the Final.
The Grand Final brought together Daniela Peleg (ISR), Emma Wilson (GBR), Marta Maggetti, and Maya Gysler. Peleg and Wilson entered the race carrying one match point each. Two Black Flag Disqualifications gave Wilson and Maggetti a five-second penalty, but Emma staged an impressive comeback to finish second behind Peleg, who sailed a tactically brilliant race to successfully defend her title, with Maya Gysler closing the podium in third.
"It feels so good, it was such a great week and I'm particularly happy as it's a back-to-back win," said Daniela Peleg. "It was a tough week with a lot of changing conditions, but I stayed consistent. I was nervous before the race, but once I saw Emma was over early, I just aimed for a clear start and stuck to simple, solid tactics and it worked!"
Men's Medal Series: Van Opzeeland Strikes Twice
In the Men's Quarter Final, Andy Brown (GBR) and 19-year-old Leonardo Tomasini (ITA) advanced. They joined Olympic Champion Tom Reuveny (ISR), defending champion Pawel Tarnowski (POL), and Olympic Bronze Medalist Luuc van Opzeeland (NED) in a fierce Semi-Final, where Tarnowski and Van Opzeeland pushed through to the Grand Final.
There, they met top qualifiers Nicolas Goyard (FRA) and Finn Hawkins (GBR). Van Opzeeland won the first race to equal the match point score and then doubled down with a powerful second victory to claim the European title.
"I knew I had to push all the way in. I felt confident and just told myself to send it. On the final reach I kind of closed my eyes and went for it!" said a thrilled Luuc van Opzeeland. "It was such an exciting race. The conditions were tricky, but I had speed and went all in, super happy with this win."
Closing Ceremony in Sicily
The Championship concluded with a warm and emotional prize-giving ceremony at Circolo Velico Sferracavallo, where athletes, coaches, and organizers gathered to celebrate a fantastic week of racing and camaraderie.
"We are honored to have hosted this regatta," said Giuseppe Giunchiglia, President of Circolo Velico Sferracavallo. "A big thanks to Regione Sicilia, in particular Edi Tamaio of the Assessorato alle Attività Produttive, our main sponsor Generali Agenzia Palermo Mare, the Italian Sailing Federation, and the International iQFOiL Class and its Class Manager Gonzalo Costa Hoevel. Special thanks to the Race Committees, International Jury, and all our Club staff. You are always welcome back."
With the 2025 European titles awarded, the athletes now take a short break before preparing for a packed 2026 season on the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.