iQFOiL INTERNATIONAL GAMES #3: VANORA ENGADINWIND OPENS WITH A CELEBRATION OF THE GLOBAL iQFOiL COMMUNITY
- 17 hours ago
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Updated: 3 hours ago
Silvaplana welcomes athletes from 17 nations as the Maloja keeps the fleet ashore on opening day
Silvaplana, Switzerland – August 17, 2026 – The 2026 iQFOiL International Games #3 officially got underway today as part of the Vanora Engadinwind Festival, once again bringing the international iQFOiL community to the world-renowned sailing venue of Lake Silvaplana.
Powered by the legendary Maloja wind, the Engadin has become one of the most iconic destinations on the iQFOiL calendar, attracting athletes from around the world to race at altitude against the spectacular backdrop of the Swiss Alps.
This year's edition brings together two generations of foiling athletes. Alongside the Youth & Junior fleets, the spotlight is also on the Masters, whose international fleet includes experienced competitors from across the globe. Many of them have spent years supporting the development of younger sailors, returning to Silvaplana not only to race themselves but also to continue inspiring the next generation of iQFOiL athletes.
Among the familiar faces back on the starting line is iQFOiL Class Manager Gonzalo Costa Hoevel, who has swapped his organizational role for competition this week, adding another chapter to his long-standing relationship with the class.
The event also reflects the increasingly global reach of iQFOiL. The Youth & Junior fleets feature athletes from well beyond Europe, highlighting the continued international growth of Olympic windsurfing and the worldwide appeal of the class.
Unfortunately, despite all competitors completing registration and equipment inspection, the Maloja never fully established itself during the afternoon and no racing was possible on the opening day.
The day concluded with the Opening Ceremony, celebrating the participation of 17 nations and officially launching a week of competition in one of the sport's most spectacular venues.
With the forecast promising more favorable conditions, the fleet now looks ahead to the first races of the championship as the action gets underway on Lake Silvaplana.
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