iQFOiL Youth & Junior International Games in Torbole, Italy - Day 3
by iQFOiL Communications 9 May 06:32 NZST
6-10 May 2025
Racing intensified on Day 3 of the iQFOiL Youth & Junior International Games on Lake Garda, as more stable conditions finally allowed a full program of racing.
After two days of unstable weather, the local "Ora" (Garda's characteristic southerly wind) arrived on schedule just after midday, building to a steady 16 knots and holding throughout the afternoon.
The day opened with the U17 fleets - both boys and girls - who had been kept ashore on Wednesday due to light winds. They completed five back-to-back course races, followed by the U19 fleets who also completed five regular races. The FIV Race Committee, working closely with the on-water team of Circolo Surf Torbole and the iQFOiL Y&J International Class, managed 30 starts in five hours - an outstanding effort, especially considering two-heats in the boys' fleets.
U17 Boys
A standout day for the Netherlands: Finn Brüll and Merlin Boswijk now hold the top two spots overall. Brüll won all five races in his group, while Boswijk posted three wins and two seconds in the other. Frantisek Burda (CZE), despite scoring 1-2-1-2-2 today, now sits third, tied on points with second.
U17 Girls
Rüya Ugurlu (TUR) remains unbeaten with a perfect 7 wins from 7 races. She is followed by fellow Turk Parla Kabasakal, with Omer Hen (ISR) in third.
U19 Boys
The provisional leaderboard is tied at the top between Aksel Haava (EST) and Leopold Brisedou (FRA). Italy-Canada's Valentino Blewett is not far behind in third.
U19 Girls
Italy's Medea Falcioni, still eligible for the U17 category, continues to dominate the U19 fleet with 8 wins from 9 races. Italy's legacy in women's windsurfing - Olympic Gold, Silver and Bronze medals through legends like Alessandra Sensini and Marta Maggetti - is clearly in good hands. In second is Francesca Maria Salerno, tied on points with Yfke Van Der Meer (NED), who currently sits third.
Organized by Circolo Surf Torbole, the event features 215 athletes from 23 nations, confirming its status as one of the most important international events in the youth iQFOiL Youth & Junior calendar. On Friday, the fleets will be split into Gold and Silver divisions for the men's categories, with racing scheduled to start at 11:00, beginning with Course Racing or Sprint Slalom depending on the weather. The event will conclude on Saturday, with the new medal series format, featuring the top eight sailors in each fleet.