Men’s iQFOiL

Nicolas Goyard’s (FRA) gold medal at the Paris 2024 Test Event in Marseille is the latest achievement in the Frenchman’s run of success on the iQFOiL windsurfer.

The big problem with making predictions about medals in this fleet, however, is the winner-takes-all format of iQFOiL competition.

Italy’s Nico Renna (ITA) sailed an incredible final day of the European Championships to rise from 10th to gold medal, the Italian showing remarkable poise under pressure. Or maybe feeling no pressure because he had little to lose and everything to gain.

Renna finished with bronze in Marseille, so he has clearly got the temperament for the big occasions.

Sebastian Koerdel (GER) won last year’s Worlds, took silver at this year’s Europeans and is perhaps the most consistent podium finisher having also taken silver at the Paris 2024 Test Event.

Great Britain’s Sam Sills (GBR) started the 2023 season in dominant form and while he has struggled to maintain that momentum is still very much in the hunt for medals.

The Israeli and Dutch squads are also very strong, and it is not yet clear who will win through for selection to the Games.

After dominating the RS:X windsurfing and winning gold at Tokyo 2020, Kiran Badloe (NED) has not managed to stamp his authority on the iQFOiL fleet in the same way. There are other Dutchmen in contention, notably world number one Huig Jan Tak and Luuc van Opzeeland, runner-up at last year’s Worlds.

Women’s iQFOiL

The Israeli squad has been a cut above the other nations in the early years of women’s iQFOiL competition.

Sharon Kantor (ISR) is looking like the sharpest of the Israelis, with a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Test Event making Games Olympic selection looking increasingly likely.

The RS:X Olympic bronze medallist from Tokyo, Emma Wilson (GBR), has adapted better than most from the old windsurfer to the new foiling platform.

The British rider has come off the wrong side of the winner-takes-all format a few times, her series consistency not always well rewarded. However, recent performances suggest Wilson has changed her mind set and approach for the final day of do-or-die competition.

A bronze at the European Championships and silver in Marseille show that Wilson is going in the right direction. Another Briton capable of world-class performance is Islay Watson (GBR), and there are others who continue to put in regular appearances at the front such as Spain’s Pilar la Madrid (ESP) and the French riders Lucie Belbeoch and Hélène Noesmoen.

Sara Wennekes (NED) took bronze in Marseille and Mariana Aguilar (MEX) was fourth, raising the possibility of a medal for Mexico at next year’s Games.