2025 iQFOiL International Games in Lanzarote - Day 3
by iQFOiL Communications 31 Jan 16:57 UTC
28 January - 2 February 2025
Another day of amazing conditions greeted the 100 athletes at the iQFOiL International Games in Lanzarote in Marina Rubicón, with four course races completed in each fleet under winds from north-east exceeding 20 knots and rough sea state.
The first race was a trapezoid, with the Men starting on the outer course, but that area was very shifty ad gusty, so PRO Ewa Jodlowska then kept both fleet on the same windward/leeward course for the remaining three races. The intense breeze set the stage for another day of intense battles on the water, with top sailors consolidating their positions and others making significant moves in the overall standings.
In the Men's fleet, 20-year-old Manolo Modena (ITA 27) delivered an impressive performance, winning three of the day's four races and securing a fourth in the final one. His incredible showing moved him to fifth place overall and firmly established him as a rising star in the fleet. Despite not having his best day, Johan Søe (DEN 37), just one year older than Modena, retained the overall lead, holding off Nicolas Goyard (FRA 465) in second, who is now 16 points behind. Nicolò Renna (ITA 150) sits in third, though his scorecard is tainted by a high discard of 36th today.
"It was just a very good day today for me", commented an excited Manolo Modena, "I barely believe it, I was enjoying it. In the previous days I had a feeling that I had speed but somehow wasn't showing, and finally today everything started to work together".
In the Women's fleet, Emma Wilson (GBR 7) reclaimed the lead with a dominant two-race win performance. The Paris Olympic 2024 Bronze medalist now sits five points ahead of Shahar Tibi (ISR 3), who had a more mixed day but remains within very close distance in second. Theresa Steinlein (GER 799) moved up to third overall, showing consistency throughout the week. Anastasia Valkevich (POL 6) dropped just one point off the podium event though she claimed a win today.
"The day on the water was amazing", said Anastasia Valkevich back ashore. "It was tricky, windy and gusty, but fun and I am happy of my performance, I will keep pushing until the end".
Looking ahead: The Marathon
Tomorrow, the athletes will face the highly anticipated Marathon race, which will take them from Marina Rubicón to the island of Los Lobos, just off the coast of Fuerteventura, and back to Lanzarote. The Marathon is the ultimate endurance test - a demanding one-hour race where consistency and stamina make the difference. This unique course featuring a rabbit start and double-point scoring, offers a real opportunity for shakeups in the standings.
The competition will then culminate on Sunday with the Medal Series, where the top eight athletes in each fleet will compete for the first titles of the year in a knockout format.
Event Partners
The 2025 iQFOiL International Games in Lanzarote are organized by Marina Rubicón, with sponsorship from Turismo Lanzarote through its sports tourism product, "Lanzarote Sports Destination." Additional support comes from the Cabildo de Lanzarote through the Insular Sports Service, the Art, Culture, and Tourism Centres of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, the Yaiza Town Hall, the Canary Islands Sailing Federation, DinghyCoach, and the Latin Sailing Federations.