DAY 3 AT THE iQFOiL EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: A PROMISING START, THEN STORMS INTERRUPT THE ACTION

Weather turns tricky in Sferracavallo as only one Men’s race is completed

Sferracavallo, Palermo – November 26, 2025 – Day 3 of the iQFOiL Senior European Championship at Circolo Velico Sferracavallo started with high hopes as sunshine, a warm breeze, and a building south-westerly wind greeted the athletes. The Race Committee followed the scheduled plan, sending the Women’s fleet on the water for the 10:30 start and the Men’s Gold fleet shortly after for a 10:45 start.

Conditions looked promising enough to kick off Slalom races. The Men’s fleet managed to complete one race, divided into four heats, in winds averaging around 8 knots. Unfortunately, the Women’s races could not be even started.

Soon after, a rainstorm passed through the area, earlier than forecasted, forcing the Race Committee to suspend racing. For safety reasons, all fleets were sent ashore. Despite brief clearing in the weather later in the afternoon, the wind failed to return, and with more storms visible on the radar, Principal Race Officer Ewa Jodlowska made the call to hoist the AP over A flag at 15:30, officially ending the day’s program.

With the single Men’s Slalom race added to the overall rankings, France’s Nicolas Goyard now moves into the top spot. He is followed by Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medalist Luuc van Opzeeland (NED), and reigning World Champion Andy Brown (GBR), making for an exciting leaderboard heading into the second half of the championship.

The hope now shifts to more stable conditions over the next three days, as athletes prepare to return to the water with renewed determination and the European title still wide open.