2026 Musto iQfoil World Championships: the world's best arrive in Weymouth
The stage is set for the 2026 Musto iQFOiL World Championships, as 186 of the world's best windsurfers have gathered from 41 nations at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy for six days of spectacular racing that will crown the new men's and women's World Champions.
Hosted by the Royal Yachting Association in partnership with the International iQFOiL Class Association, the championship returns Olympic windsurfing to one of the sport's most iconic venues. Home of the sailing competitions at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Weymouth has long been regarded as one of the world's premier racing locations, offering a wide variety of conditions capable of testing every aspect of modern foiling. The event runs from 3 to 12 September, with racing scheduled from Monday 7 September through to the Medal Series on Saturday 12 September.
The entry list reflects the truly global status of the Class, with athletes representing every major windsurfing nation and every continent. Olympic medalists, reigning champions, Youth World Champions and rising stars will all line up on the same start line in pursuit of the sport's most prestigious title. The championship features both Open and Under-23 athletes racing together, highlighting the depth of talent that continues to drive the class towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Among the leading contenders in the Men's fleet are reigning World Champion Andy Brown (GBR), European Champion Luuc van Opzeeland (NED), Olympic Champion Tom Reuveny (ISR), the Silver medalist Grae Morris (AUS), Olympian and 2024 World Champion Nicolò Renna (ITA) and, alongside a host of recent event winners including Mattia Saoncella (ITA), Johan Søe (DEN), Federico Alan Pilloni (ITA), Nicolas Goyard (FRA), Finn Hawkins (GBR) and local hopeful Samuel Sills (GBR). The exceptionally deep fleet promises one of the most competitive World Championships in recent memory.
The Women's fleet is equally impressive. British hopes rest on local favorite, reigning World Champion and Olympic medalist Emma Wilson, who will be challenged by an international field including reigning European Champion Tamar Steinberg (ISR), Olympic Champion Marta Maggetti (ITA), Aimee Bright (NZL), Shahar Tibi (ISR), Pilar Lamadrid (ESP), Hélène Noesmoen (FRA), Sharon Kantor (ISR) and an outstanding generation of Under-23 sailors led by Sophie Clark (GBR), Taisiia Stopchenko (AIN) and Danai Giannouli (GRE).
The championship format is designed to reward consistency throughout the week before culminating in one of sailing's most exciting finales. The Qualification Series may include Course Racing, Sprint Racing and Marathon, depending on weather conditions, with the top ten sailors in each fleet advancing to the Finals. The Medal Series follows a progressive elimination format, Quarter Final, Semi Final and Grand Final, with the top two sailors from the Qualification Series advancing directly to the Grand Final carrying one match point advantage. The first sailor to secure two match points in the Grand Final will be crowned World Champion.
"The iQFOiL World Championship is the pinnacle of our season and the highest level of competition in Olympic windsurfing," said Gonzalo Costa Hoevel, iQFOiL Class Manager. "Weymouth is one of the world's great sailing venues and provides the perfect stage for our athletes. The fleet has never been stronger, with established champions competing alongside an incredibly talented new generation. We are looking forward to an unforgettable week of racing that will showcase the speed, athleticism and excitement of iQFOiL at its very best."
Niall McLeod, Musto iQFOiL World Championship Event Director, said, “Welcoming the world’s leading windsurfers to Weymouth and Portland is a proud moment for everyone involved in delivering the Musto iQFOil World Championship. Few venues can match Weymouth and Portland’s Olympic heritage, world-class facilities and challenging racing conditions. It will be a fitting stage to crown the 2026 World Champions. “An enormous amount of work has gone into creating an event that showcases windsurfing and the iQFOil at its very best, both on the water and to the Dorset community. We look forward to six days of exceptional racing and opening the doors of the sport to families and fans at our free Fan Zone on Saturday with the deciding medal series.”
With favorable September conditions, one of the world's most renowned sailing venues and an exceptional international fleet, everything is in place for a memorable week as the battle for the 2026 iQFOiL World Championship titles gets underway.
