2025 iQFOiL Youth & Junior World Championships - Day 6
by iQFOiL Communications 30 Jul 21:18 UTC
24-31 July 2025
With just one day to go before the champions are crowned, Day 6 at the 2025 iQFOiL Youth & Junior World Championships delivered high-stakes racing and emotional turning points. In perfect conditions, athletes gave their all to secure a coveted spot in tomorrow's Medal Series.
Five upwind sprint races were completed today for the U19 Men fleet, with Italy's Mattia Saoncella (ITA 830) finishing on top of the leaderboard, earning a direct spot in the Grand Final.
"I managed to enter the medal series in first position. I'm really happy, very emotional about this. My day was pretty good, I'm happy with my consistency. I just hope we'll have some wind tomorrow for the medal series", said Saoncella.
Joining him in the Grand Final is Rory Meehan (AUS 3), who also had a strong day on the water.
"Today we did five upwind sprint races—really successful. It was great to finally get some proper final series racing. Tomorrow I'll be going into the medal race in second place. I'm really excited—I'll push everything I've got to try and come out with a win".
Malthe Lillelund (DEN 290), along with Artun Senol (TUR 2008) and Felix Dary (FRA 12), made it through to the quarter-final, where they'll have one last chance to fight for a medal alongside Peleg Rajuan (ISR 851), leader of the U19 until this morning.
The U17 Boys completed five sprint slalom races, with Peyton Dits (NED 241) holding firm at the top of the rankings. His teammate Finn Brull (NED 731) climbed to second overall after a stellar performance, including three race wins.
Just making the cut was Diogo Borges De Sousa (POR), who edged out Frantisek Burda (CZE 844) on a tiebreak thanks to stronger consistency throughout the week.
The U19 Women sailed two races today, and it was local favorite Salomé Simon (FRA 142) who made headlines with a dramatic comeback.
"That was a rollercoaster day. I did a really bad first race and then came second in the last. I'm so happy to make it into the medal races tomorrow, it's absolutely crazy. I didn't expect these results. And doing this here in Brest, my home spot, makes it really special", said Simon.
At the top of the leaderboard is Medea Falcioni (ITA 57), who has shown both technical control and tactical poise all week.
"I've managed good results in almost all races by sticking to strong starts and leading early. I've worked really hard on my pumping skills, and that paid off. There was definitely pressure today, it was hard to manage, but I'm happy with the outcome and hope to keep it up tomorrow".
Fellow Italian Francesca Maria Salerno (ITA 9) remains in third overall after a mixed day.
"I had a second and then a really tough race with no wind to foil and a bad start. I tried to recover but couldn't. Still, I'm in the medal races tomorrow, and I'll give it my best to get on the podium".
Yfke Van der Meer (NED 252) bounced back into contention, jumping from 12th to 6th thanks to the introduction of an additional discard.
In the U17 Girls, the Turkish team will be strongly represented in the Medal Series. Parla Kabasakal (TUR 3504) earned her place in the Grand Final, while Ruya Ugurlu (TUR 5835) and Ece Melis Bas (TUR 1329) head to the semifinal. In the top position is Naama Palatnik (ISR 890), who will start the Grand Final tomorrow with a win.
With all fleets now set for the Medal Series, the 2025 Youth & Junior World Champions will be decided in a thrilling final day. The format is designed to reward consistency but also leave room for dramatic comebacks. Who will rise to the occasion?
Stay tuned for the final showdown.
U19 Men - Top 8
- Mattia Saoncella (ITA 830)
- Rory Meehan (AUS 3)
- Kylian Manhaval (FRA 1908)
- Garrett January (USA 162)
- Peleg Rajuan (ISR 851)
- Malthe Lillelund (DEN 290)
- Artun Senol (TUR 2008)
- Felix Dary (FRA 12)
U19 Women - Top 8
- Medea Falcioni (ITA 57)
- Emma Schleicher (GER 162)
- Francesca Salerno (ITA 9)
- Alba Klein (ISR 205)
- Nurhayat Güven (TUR 1030)
- Yfke van der Meer (NED 252)
- Nora Rajuan (ISR 896)
- Salomé Simon (FRA 142)
U17 Boys - Top 8
- Peyton Dits (NED 241)
- Finn Brull (NED 731)
- Moritz Schleicher (GER 747)
- Merlijn Boswijk (NED 244)
- Pierluigi Caproni (ITA 10)
- Enrico Patiño Riutord (ESP 373)
- Oscar Florin (FRA 5665)
- Diogo Borges de Sousa (POR 58)
U17 Girls - Top 8
- Naama Palatnik (ISR 890)
- Parla Kabasakal (TUR 3504)
- Ruya Ugurlu (TUR 5835)
- Ece Melis Bas (TUR 1329)
- Garance Chatelier-Daisy (FRA 58)
- Maria Miarczynska (POL 418)
- Noa Koren (ISR 151)
- Théa Le Borgne Zibetti (FRA 218)
Find out more on the event website here.