2026 iQFOiL Open European Championships in Portimão
Spectacular Medal Series conclude six days of racing in Portugal as the titles are decided live on the Atlantic waters of Praia da Rocha
The 2026 iQFOiL Open European Championships came to a thrilling conclusion today in Portimão, Portugal, with spectacular Medal Series racing deciding the new European Champions after six demanding days on the Atlantic waters of Praia da Rocha.
In the end, it was Dutch Olympic bronze medallist Luuc Van Opzeeland (NED) and Israel’s rising star Tamar Steinberg (ISR) who secured the 2026 European titles. Denmark’s Johan Søe (DEN) and Italy’s U23 standout Federico Alan Pilloni (ITA) completed the Men’s podium, while New Zealand’s Aimee Bright (NZL) and another Israeli sailor, Shahar Tibi (ISR), claimed second and third respectively in the Women’s fleet.
Hosted by Clube Naval de Portimão, the championship brought together 192 athletes from 42 nations, who throughout the week faced a complete range of iQFOiL formats and Atlantic conditions — from tactical Course Racing to explosive Sprint formats, thermal breezes, Levante winds and ocean swell.
Saturday’s Medal Series featured only the top 10 athletes from the Final Series standings, with sailors progressing through Quarter Finals and Semi Finals before reaching the decisive Grand Finals. The action was also broadcast live on the official iQFOiL YouTube Channel, allowing fans worldwide to follow the final showdown live from Portugal.
In the Women’s Medal Series, the Quarter Final immediately delivered close racing. Spain’sPilar Lamadrid (ESP) got off to an excellent start, but it was Israel’s Shahar Tibi (ISR) and France’s Hélène Noesmoen (FRA) who rounded the first gate in front. Noesmoen briefly took the lead on the upwind leg, before Tibi showed superior downwind speed to take control of the race and secure victory. Behind her, Lamadrid managed to edge Noesmoen in an exciting sprint to the finish line to claim the second qualifying spot.
The Semi Final once again saw Lamadrid and Tibi dominate from the start, both sailors leading the race from start to finish to advance into the Grand Final.
The Grand Final itself produced one of the highlights of the championship. Lamadrid once again nailed the start, but overall leader Tamar Steinberg quickly found her trademark speed and arrived first at the top mark. The fleet compressed again at the bottom gate, while Shahar Tibi steadily closed the gap and fully rejoined the fight at the second upwind mark. In the decisive exchanges, Steinberg remained calm under pressure and secured the race win needed to become the 2026 iQFOiL European Champion.
New Zealand’s Aimee Bright, thanks to the advantage point carried into the Grand Final as second-ranked sailor from the Final Series, secured second place overall, while Shahar Tibi completed the podium after an outstanding run all the way from the Quarter Finals.
The Men’s Medal Series delivered even more drama. In the Quarter Final, Israel’s Yoav Omer (ISR) did not have the best start but chose to split from the fleet early on the course, a tactical move that paid off and allowed him to build a comfortable lead and secure a place in the Semi Final. France’s Tom Arnoux (FRA) qualified in second.
The Semi Final then exploded into chaos at the start, with not one, not two, but three sailors over early. Italy’s Federico Alan Pilloni, Israel’s Tom Reuveny, and Yoav Omer all had to restart with a five-second delay penalty. Despite the setback, Reuveny judged the upwind lay line perfectly to climb back into contention and secure his place in the Grand Final together with Pilloni.
The decisive Men’s Final started with a perfect launch from both Luuc Van Opzeelandand Denmark’s Johan Søe, each entering the race already carrying a match point advantage. On the first downwind, however, Italy’s Federico Alan Pilloni attacked aggressively and briefly took the initiative in the race.
Van Opzeeland responded immediately on the following upwind leg, regaining control and rounding the top mark ahead of Pilloni. Despite a tense final downwind where the Dutchman nearly lost control, he held his composure to cross the finish line first and officially become the 2026 iQFOiL European Champion.
Johan Søe secured second overall thanks to his match point carried into the Grand Final, while Federico Alan Pilloni completed a breakthrough regatta by taking an outstanding bronze medal against one of the strongest fleets of the Olympic cycle.
After six days of high-level racing in every possible condition the Atlantic could offer, the 2026 iQFOiL Open European Championships confirmed Portimão as one of the premier venues for Olympic windfoiling, while underlining the extraordinary depth and competitiveness of the iQFOiL class as the road toward Los Angeles 2028 continues.
Final Podiums:
Women
- Tamar Steinberg (ISR)
- Aimee Bright (NZL)
- Shahar Tibi (ISR)
Men
- Luuc Van Opzeeland (NED)
- Johan Søe (DEN)
- Federico Alan Pilloni (ITA)