Second day of competition in Lanzarote waters in which, once again, the "flying" windsurfing that will debut in Paris 2024 has been the protagonist. Sam Sills (GBR) and Pilar Lamadrid (ESP) remain, for the second consecutive day, at the top of the provisional general classification in a day in which the wind blew with good intensity (about 15 knots) although more unstable, making it more difficult for the fleet to predict its behavior.
This Wednesday was a marathon day not suitable for any physical condition. And it is that the competition program for this day has been very demanding, with the dispute of two fast races in Windward/Leeward format and a third test called marathon, which consists of completing a course between buoys of approximately one hour. The long duration of the test, together with the wind and wave conditions, represented a physical challenge for the 150 men and women who participate in these Lanzarote iQFOil Games.
Lamadrid, leader with the Israeli Sharon Kantor pressing just one point behind
The Andalusian Pilar Lamadrid made up for the 17th place in the first test of the day by winning the second race and finishing the marathon in second place. Great performance also from Sharon Kantor who, at only 20 years old, is still a youth, is having a great championship and managed to win the marathon this Wednesday, reducing the distance with Lamadrid and finishing the day just one point behind her.
"I started very well and was in fifth place alongside Pilar (ESP) and Tibi (ISR). The stern was very good, I sailed with speed and managed to overtake them. The truth is that I have had a nice fight with Pilar and I am happy to have won. The key has been to be fast and manage to stay in the leading group. I hope to continue like this," declared the Israeli.
Her compatriot Katy Spychakov (ISR), third in the marathon, completes the provisional women's podium. She maintained the third position from Tuesday, after a day in which she led almost the entire first race, which was frustrated by a fall about 50 meters from the finish line.
With three days of competition ahead and such a tight general classification, nothing is decided and no one can be distracted.
New faces on the men's podium
The men's fleet has finished the qualifying phase this Wednesday, so this Thursday and Friday the final phase will be sailed, in which the top 42 classified so far will be in the gold group.
The British Sam Sills repeats in the provisional lead after winning the first two Windward/Leeward races of the yellow fleet, thus adding six partial victories so far in the championship. However, in the marathon, the current RS:X Olympic champion, Kiran Badloe (NED), prevailed, managing to break into the provisional podium to occupy third place.
"It's been crazy: strong gusts of wind, big waves and everyone pushing to the max. It's been a lot of fun. I've been fast, consistent and in the end I've been able to pass my teammates and win the race," commented the Dutchman upon arrival on land.
Nicolas Goyard (FRA), champion in Lanzarote last year, also climbs positions and rises to second place with his first two partial victories in the blue fleet.
The Lanzarote iQFOil Games continue this Thursday at Marina Rubicón from 12:00 hours.
This international event organized by Marina Rubicón with the support of the Royal Canarian Sailing Federation is possible thanks to the institutional sponsorships of Promotur Turismo de Canarias with funding from the REACTEU Fund and Turismo del Cabildo de Lanzarote through the European Sports Destination sports product (managed by SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote), as well as the public collaboration of the Yaiza City Council and the private entities Dinghycoach, Naviera Armas and Cabrera Medina (Cicar).
Provisional general podium. iQFOil Women. Day 2.
1. Pilar Lamadrid (ESP), 1+1+(6)+1+(17)+1+2+2=8
2. Sharon Kantor (ISR), (2)+2+1+2+(8)+2+1+1=9
3. Katy Spychakov (ISR), 3+3+2+(13)+(9)+4+3+3=18
Provisional general podium. iQFOil Men. Day 2.
1. Sam Sills (GBR), (1)+1+1+1+1+1+(11)+(11)=6
2. Nicolas Goyard (FRA), 2+(13)+6+(8)+1+1+1,5+1,5=13
3. Kiran Badloe (NED), 4+1+4+(12)+(12)+5+0,5+0,5=15
To consult all the results of the classifications of the female and male categories, enter here