2026 MUSTO iQFOiL World Championships: Lyons takes the lead as strong winds test the fleet in Weymouth and Portland
Strong winds brought a complete change of pace to Day 2 of the 2026 MUSTO iQFOiL World Championships in Weymouth and Portland, with both fleets completing four Course Races in demanding conditions.
After Monday’s opening program of Upwind Sprints and Course Racing, today put a different set of skills to the test. With stronger breeze across the racecourse, speed, control and tactical decision-making became increasingly important as the world’s best Olympic windsurfers battled through four full Course Races on the last day of the Qualification Series.
In the Women’s fleet, Tamar Steinberg (ISR) remains firmly in control of the championship. The reigning European Champion, who opened the Worlds yesterday with four consecutive victories, added another race win today and retained the overall lead after eight races. Stella Bilger (AUS) also held onto second place after another strong day, while Britain’s Islay Watson (GBR) moved into third to complete the provisional podium on home waters.
One of the standout performances of the day came from Medea Falcioni (ITA). The 15-year-old Italian claimed a race victory against the world-class senior fleet and climbed to fifth overall, putting herself firmly among the leading contenders after two days of racing.
The Men’s fleet saw a more significant reshuffle at the top of the standings. Noah Lyons (USA) produced the performance of the day, winning two of the four Course Races to surge into the overall lead. His dominant scoreline moved him ahead of Nicolas Goyard (FRA), who climbed one position to second overall after another consistent day.
Day 1 leader and reigning European Champion Luuc van Opzeeland (NED) slipped to third but remains well within striking distance as the championship heads deeper into the Qualification Series.
After two very different days on the water, Weymouth and Portland has already shown the range of conditions that has made it one of the world’s great Olympic sailing venues. With plenty of racing still ahead and the battle at the top intensifying in both fleets, the 2026 MUSTO iQFOiL World Championships continue tomorrow with the fleets split in Gold and Silver for the Final Series.
