The Hague, August 14, 2023 – The Allianz Sailing World Championships commenced today with a spectacular start as sailors from around the globe gathered in The Hague, Netherlands. This grand event, featuring a whopping 1200 competitors, has set the stage for the sailing competitions, marking a pivotal moment for the newly introduced iQFOiL Class in its first appearance at the Sailing World Championships.
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Credit: @SailingEnergy / @iQFOiLClass
The iQFOiL Class, the new Olympic windsurfing discipline, has taken the spotlight as it takes over from the former RS:X class, debuting in the prestigious Sailing World Championships for the first time. The event, that takes place only once every 4 years is the first Olympic qualification moment for the athletes to secure a ticket for their nation on the Paris 2024 starting line.
Today's racing already witnessed intense competition in the Class, with a total of 200 competitors participating, evenly split between 100 men and 100 women. The wind conditions posed a challenge, leading the organizers to adapt the planned Marathon format to Slalom races. Despite the light wind conditions, the men's fleet managed to complete four Slalom races.
However, as the women's fleet set out onto the water, the wind took an unexpected turn, rapidly diminishing in strength. Two initially started races unfortunately had to be abandoned. Faced with these unpredictable conditions, the decision was made to bring the women's fleet back to shore without completing any races for the day. The women will be send out as first tomorrow to make up for lost racing today.
The iQFOiL Class, features identical one-design equipment for all competitors, this is done to ensure fair racing. The class utilizes innovative foiling technology that propels windsurfers to higher speeds even in lighter winds, enhancing the dynamic nature of the sport. With its debut on the Olympic stage just around the corner at the Paris 2024 Games, the iQFOiL Class has already established itself with rapid growth over the last 3 years.
Sailors, enthusiasts, and spectators alike eagerly anticipate the remainder of the Allianz Sailing World Championships, with the event scheduled to conclude on August 19th, and the possibility of extending racing to August 20th if conditions require. The spotlight remains firmly on The Hague as these skilled athletes continue to vie for victory, securing their spots on the Olympic stage and demonstrating the true spirit of sailing excellence.
For more information, updates, gps tracking, and live coverage (from the 16th on) of the Allianz Sailing World Championships, please visit the official event website: https://allianzsailingworlds.com
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