Lanzarote iQFOil Games 2023: D5, Medal Race

Posted by RIWmag on 28 Jan 2023 /

Pilar Lamadrid (ESP) and Pawel Tarnowski (POL) are the champions of the Lanzarote iQFOil Games
The first major Olympic windsurfing event of the year that attracted 150 participants from 35 countries, i Lanzarote iQFOil Games, ended today in the Canary Islands with an exciting final. Spain's Pilar Lamadrid, number 1 world ranking, took his first win of the season and his second consecutive title in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. Poland's Pawel Tarnowski won the men's race after a harrowing final.

Marina Rubicón (Lanzarote, Canary Islands), 28 January 2023

The Lanzarote iQFOil Games concluded on Saturday with a breathtaking final and fantastic sailing conditions. The winds were 15-20 knots and the unstable breeze only added excitement and intrigue about how any foiling-windsurfer would play their cards on Lanzarote's fantastic regatta courses.
The Medal Series saw the first 10 Ranked compete to advance to an all-or-nothing final in which only the best three men and women compete for their respective titles. After an intense physically and mentally demanding reckoning, Pilar Lamadrid (ESP) and Pawel Tarnowski (POL) emerged victorious to be proclaimed winners of the Lanzarote iQFOil Games 2023.

For the second year in a row, and a year after Paris 2024, the event hosted by Marina Rubicón was a complete success, with all races and formats – slalom, Marathon and track running – completed over six days of racing in Lanzarote, A place that many sailors now call “The wind machine”.

Pilar Lamadrid wins again in Lanzarote
After an excellent semi-final, Pilar Lamadrid and Israel's Shahar Tibi managed to advance to the final to meet the provisional leader, Sharon Kantor (ISR), automatically pre-qualified yesterday.
After a good start, Lamadrid passed the first buoy of the course in the lead, a position he never lost to cross the finish line first and get the victory at the iQFOIL Games in Lanzarote.

The number 1 of the world ranking stated:
"I can't believe it! We had such a tough week! I've been in a real, wedding band, real battle with Sharon, who did an amazing job. It's great to win this championship for the second time! Lanzarote is fantastic, as we've seen all this week: full of wind, we could do all the regattas we need … It's amazing!”
Israel occupies the second and third place of the podium, with Shahar Tibi in second place while U21 Sharon Kantor, second and first in the whole championship, Conquers the bronze.
(Click on chart to enlarge / desktop only)

Drama in the men's final, won by Polish Pawel Tarnowski
After the quarter-finals and semi-finals, Pawel Tarnowski and current European champion iQFOil, the French Nicolas Goyard, managed to be in the final, where they met Britain's Sam Sills, who had clearly dominated the entire championship, winning more than half of the games he has played these days.
The scoring system provides for everything to be played in the Final, Every unexpected event costs dearly. The emotion is high and the pressure is intense until the finish line. There are often major upheavals. And that's what we saw today at 20 meters from the finish line!
Sam Sills and Pawel Tarnowski were close as they ran at high speed to the finish line, with the Pole in the lead while the Briton was getting dangerously close to him. Just then, a 20 meters from the end, Tarnowski fell and a second later Sills also fell, while French Nico Goyard continued towards them in third place. But Tarnowski managed to get up and cross the finish line to win!

"It was amazing.! To be honest I've never done a race like this, not even training", explained the new champion of Lanzarote iQFOil Games, Pawel Tarnowski. "When I was pushing just before the finish line I heard Sam approaching and I said to myself 'just others 15 meters and I win'. And then I crashed and thought 'I'm already last'. But then I also saw Sam in the water. It was completely crazy! I just did my best to get up and cross the finish line first. Luckily I made it and I'm super happy.
“It was a great competition”, went on to say. "Sam raced very well. Kudos to him. And’ Very solid state this week, like Nico.”
The Polish windsurfer wins for the first time at the iQFOil Games and had some words for his supporters: "I want to dedicate this victory to my wife., who is expecting our first child. I love you so much!”
There was an incredible gesture of sportsmanship from French Nicolas Goyard (#3) who reduced his speed to secure Sam Sills' second place.

This international event organized by Marina Rubicón with the support of the Royal Canaria Sailing Federation is possible thanks to the institutional sponsorship of Promotur Turismo de Canarias with the financing of the REACTEU and Tourism Fund of the Cabildo de Lanzarote through the European Sports Destination sports contribution managed by SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote, as well as the public collaboration of the Municipality of Yaiza and the private entities Dinghycoach, Armas Ship & Cabrera Medina (Cicar).

Top 3. iQFOil Women.
1. Pilar Lamadrid (ESP)
2. Shahar Tibi (ISR)
3. Sharon Kantor (ISR)
The Italians in the race:
10. Marta Maggetti
12. Giorgia Special
43. Sofia Reindeer
49. Carola Colasanto
50. Linda Oates

Top 3. iQFOil Men.
1. Pawel Tarnowski (POL)
2. Sam Sills (GBR)
3. Nicolas Goyard (BETWEEN)
Italians in the race:
9. Bado
15. Nicolo’ Reindeer
17. Luca Di Tomassi
28. Manolo Modena
47. Federico Alan Pilloni
48. Mattia Camboni
77. Leonardo Tomasini