SLALOM RACING SHAKES UP THE LEADERBOARDS IN CÁDIZ

Light winds push Race Committee to switch format as Day 2 reshuffles several fleets

El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz (Spain) – March 10, 2026 – The 2026 iQFOiL International Games #2, organized by the Federación Andaluza de Vela in co-operation with the International iQFOiL Class Association, by delegation of the Real Federación Española de Vela and the Consejo Superior de Deportes, continued today in the waters of El Puerto de Santa María with another full day of racing for the Senior and Youth & Junior fleets.

After a light opening day, the wind initially looked more promising this morning, raising expectations across the fleet. However, the breeze soon stabilized at under 10 knots, prompting the Race Committee, led by PRO Cesar Sanz, to switch the racing format to Slalom in order to maximize the available conditions. The decision allowed all six fleets to complete a full schedule of races.

In the Senior Women’s fleet, local Olympic sailor Pilar Lamadrid (ESP) delighted the home crowd by climbing from third place yesterday to take the provisional lead after Day 2. Nela Sadilkova (CZE) moves into second place, while Katerina Svikova (CZE) drops from yesterday’s top position to third.

In the Senior Men’s fleet, Onur Cavit Biriz (TUR) holds on to the overall lead. Brazilian Olympian and SailGP sailor Mateus Isaac (BRA) slips to second place, while Rytis Jasunas (LTU) maintains his consistency and keeps third.

The U19 Women’s fleet was the first to take to the water today. France’s Thea Le Borgne Zibetti (FRA) delivered an impressive performance, moving from third place yesterday to the top of the leaderboard with two race wins and two second-place finishes. Ruva Urgulu (TUR) climbs into second place overall, while Lucia Guardiola Beltran (ESP) drops from second to third.

In the U19 Men, Jorge Ruiz Lopez (ESP) continues to lead the fleet after two days of racing. Dutch sailor Peyton Dits (NED) remains in second place, while Kfir Nov (ISR) moves into third position.

In the U17 fleets, three races were completed. The U17 Women’s podium remains unchanged, with Parla Kabasakal (TUR) continuing to lead ahead of Anna Jannieke Korevaar (NED) in second and Maria Miarczynska (POL) in third.

There was a change at the top of the U17 Men’s fleet, where Swann Manhaval (FRA) moves into first place overall. Enric Patino Riutord (ESP) drops from first to second, while Gonzalo Ruiz Mendez (ESP) confirms his third place.

With two days of racing completed and the fleets now well settled into the regatta rhythm, the iQFOiL International Games #2 in Cádiz continue to deliver tight competition across all divisions as sailors look to consolidate their positions in the coming days.