iQFOiL Youth & Junior Europeans: Top ten set for medal series

From a slow start in marginal winds to thrilling Downwind Slalom racing as the breeze built throughout the afternoon, Day 6 of the 2026 iQFOiL Youth & Junior European Championships delivered the action needed to decide the top ten sailors in each of the four fleets. After a challenging morning, conditions gradually improved, allowing the Race Committee to complete crucial races and set the stage for tomorrow's Medal Series, when the European titles will be decided.

The day began with light, unstable winds that kept sailors waiting and forced several attempts to get racing underway. But patience eventually paid off. As the breeze strengthened, the racecourses came alive, delivering excellent conditions for fast-paced Downwind Slalom racing. With every result potentially making the difference between qualification and elimination, the final races of the opening series brought plenty of excitement, dramatic changes in the standings and some outstanding performances.

U19 MEN: ŞENOL AND JANKOWSKI HEAD STRAIGHT TO THE GRAND FINAL

In the U19 Men's fleet, Artun Şenol (TUR) and Leon Jankowski (POL) maintained their dominance at the top of the standings, securing the two direct places in tomorrow's Grand Final. Şenol finishes the qualification series in first place with 18 points, just two ahead of Jankowski, setting up what promises to be an exciting battle for the European title.

Behind them,Kfir Nov (ISR) holds third place and advances directly to the Semi-Final, alongside Valentino Blewett (CAN) in fourth.

One of the main stories of the day was the strong Dutch presence in the Medal Series. Peyton Dits, Finn Brüll and Merlijn Boswijk (NED) all secured places in the Quarter-Finals and will be looking to work their way through the elimination rounds towards the podium.

U19 Men – Top 10 after qualification:

Artun Şenol (TUR) – 18 pts
Leon Jankowski (POL) – 20 pts
Kfir Nov (ISR) – 54 pts
Valentino Blewett (CAN) –  64.5 pts
Gustaw Trybek (POL) – 80 pts
Itamar Levi (ISR) – 84 pts
Peyton Dits (NED) – 95.7 pts
Leopold Brisedou (FRA) – 97 pts
Finn Brüll (NED) – 106 pts
Merlijn Boswijk (NED) – 106.5 pts

U17 BOYS: Patiño Riutord TAKES THE LEAD AS BURDA DROPS TO THIRD

The U17 Boys' fleet delivered one of the biggest shake-ups of the day. After leading the championship throughout the week, František Burda (CZE)slipped to third overall, narrowly missing out on a direct place in the Grand Final.

Taking over at the top is Enric Patiño Riutord (ESP), who finishes qualification with 24 points, just one ahead of Swann Manhaval (FRA). Both sailors advance directly to Saturday's Grand Final, while Burda will have to fight his way through the Semi-Final to keep his European title hopes alive.

Another standout performance came from Viljams Preiss (LAT), who climbed six positions in the standings to finish fifth overall, securing a place in the Semi-Final. With just two points separating the top three, the U17 Boys' competition remains one of the closest of the championship.

U17 Boys – Top 10 after qualification:

Enric Patiño Riutord (ESP) – 24 pts
Swann Manhaval (FRA) – 25 pts
František Burda (CZE) –  26 pts
Luca Pacchiotti (ITA) –  60 pts
Viljams Preiss (LAT) – 89 pts
Tymon Wrzesinski (POL) – 90 pts
Mahe Givernaud (FRA) – 92 pts
Gonzalo Ruiz Mendez (ESP) – 101 pts
Yannay Shapira (ISR) – 104 pts
Filippo Iengo (ITA) – 116 pts

U19 WOMEN: STOPCHENKO DOMINATES AS HOME FAVORITE GIANNOULI REACHES THE GRAND FINAL

In the U19 Women's fleet, reigning World Champion Taisiia Stopchenko (RUS) confirmed her status as the sailor to beat, winning three races today to complete the qualification series with an impressive 20 points. Her commanding performance secures her a direct place in tomorrow's Grand Final and establishes her as the clear favorite for the European title.

Joining her in the Grand Final will be Danai Giannouli (GRE), who delivered an excellent performance on home waters to climb into second overall. Racing at her home venue, the Greek sailor has steadily improved throughout the championship and now finds herself just one race away from a European Championship medal.

The top ten remained unchanged, but there were significant movements within the group. Julia Przybyl (POL), who had been challenging Stopchenko for the lead earlier in the week, slipped to sixth overall and will now have to begin her Medal Series campaign in the Quarter-Finals.

Alba Klein (ISR) holds third place, while Thea Le Borgne Zibetti (FRA) is fourth, both securing direct places in the Semi-Final. Rüya Uğurlu (TUR)completes the top five and remains firmly in contention for a podium finish.

U19 Women – Top 10 after qualification:

Taisiia Stopchenko (RUS) – 20 pts
Danai Giannouli (GRE) – 58 pts
Alba Klein (ISR) – 68 pts
Thea Le Borgne Zibetti (FRA) – 74 pts
Rüya Uğurlu (TUR) – 75 pts
Julia Przybyl (POL) – 88 pts
Naama Palatnik (ISR) – 91 pts
Garance Chatelier-Daisay (FRA) – 112 pts
Ewa Miarczyńska (POL) – 129 pts
Salomé Simon (FRA) – 135.8 pts

U17 GIRLS: KABASAKAL UNSTOPPABLE AS TÜRKİYE CONTINUES TO DOMINATE

In the U17 Girls' fleet, reigning World Champion Parla Kabasakal (TUR) produced another remarkable performance, winning all four races completed today to reinforce her position at the top of the standings.

With just 14 points after qualification, Kabasakal advances directly to the Grand Final alongside compatriot Ece Melis Baş (TUR), who finishes second overall with 38 points.

The Turkish dominance continues with Nisa Üstündağ (TUR) in third, although she will face a strong challenge from Maria Miarczyńska (POL), who sits just one point behind in fourth. Both will start their Medal Series campaigns in the Semi-Final.

A special mention goes to local sailor Iliana Panagi (GRE), competing in the U15 category. The young Greek talent delivered one of her strongest performances of the week, recording two second places and a race victory to secure ninth overall and a place in tomorrow's Quarter-Finals.

The top ten remained unchanged, with three Polish sailors occupying fourth through sixth positions and looking to challenge the Turkish leaders in the Medal Series.

U17 Girls – Top 10 after qualification:

Parla Kabasakal (TUR) – 14 pts
Ece Melis Baş (TUR) – 38 pts
Nisa Üstündağ (TUR) – 48 pts
Maria Miarczyńska (POL) – 49 pts
Kalina Szostek (POL) – 58 pts
Marta Gajdzinska (POL) – 66 pts
Elisa Bruno (ITA) – 71 pts
Mei Kauffman (ISR) – 77 pts
Iliana Panagi (GRE) – 83 pts
Noa Koren (ISR) – 83 pts

ALL SET FOR THE MEDAL SERIES

After six days of competition that have tested the sailors in everything from light, unpredictable breezes to strong-wind Course Racing, the 2026 iQFOiL Youth & Junior European Championships are ready for their final act.

Tomorrow's Medal Series will bring together the ten best sailors in each fleet in a progressive elimination format. Those ranked fifth through tenth will begin in the Quarter-Finals, with the top two advancing to join the third- and fourth-placed sailors in the Semi-Finals. The two Semi-Final qualifiers will then meet the top two sailors from the qualification series in the Grand Final, where the European titles will be decided.

With several reigning World Champions defending their positions, home favorites chasing medals and some of the week's strongest performers facing a fight through the elimination rounds, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion in Varkiza.