2025 iQFOiL Youth & Junior World Championships - Overall
by iQFOiL Communications 31 Jul 23:09 UTC
24-31 July 2025
After a week of anticipation, fierce competition and weather delays, Brest delivered on the final day of the 2025 iQFOiL Youth & Junior World Championships. Westerly winds swept across the bay, setting the stage for an unforgettable conclusion as four new World Champions were crowned with a very participated prize-giving ceremony.
In the U19 Women's fleet, Italy's Medea Falcioni (ITA 57) rose to the occasion when it mattered most. After a rocky start In the Grand Final, Falcioni found her form in the third attempt, crossing the line first and clinching the World Championship title.
"We just finished the medal series and it was absolutely sick. We did three races in the Grand Finals. They were all incredibly tight. The people leading were constantly changing and it was awesome racing. I mean, I'm not so happy about how I raced the first two finals... But in the end, I managed to keep it all together, do one last good start and I lead from the beginning. And that was just it, just the last race and the last bullet I needed. So now I'm just so happy. All the training I've done finally paid off. There are just no words to explain it", said Medea Falcioni (ITA 57).
Fellow Italian athlete Francesca Salerno (ITA 9) finished second overall, followed by Nurhayat Güven (TUR 1030), who impressed by advancing all the way from the quarterfinal.
The U19 Men's category saw another epic showdown. Turkey's Artun Senol (TUR 2008) charged through the quarter and semi-finals, grabbing a win in the first Grand Final. But it was Australia's Rory Meehan (AUS 3) who ultimately found the consistency to secure two victories and seal the World Championship title.
"That was very hard. The guys made it super difficult for me. I got the first race in, then Artun got the second, but I just managed to get the third. I'm very happy. Super tricky conditions, and I'm just stoked. Thank you, everyone. Thank you, my club, Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. Thank you to my coach, Mitch Pearson. And most importantly, thank you to my parents", shared Rory Meehan (AUS 3).
Artun Senol (TUR 2008) took silver, with Italy's Mattia Saoncella (ITA 830), who got into the Grand Final as leader, rounding off the podium in third.
Perhaps the most surprising story came from the U17 Girls, where Thea Le Borgne Zibetti (FRA 218) made a sensational comeback. She was 10th overall last night, but she was given a last-minute 8th spot in the Medal Series due to technical penalties affecting other racers. She made the most of the opportunity, winning the Quarterfinal, placing second in the Semifinal, and taking the only Grand Final win before racing was called off due to dropping wind.
"I just won the championship, so it was just amazing. I'm from Lorient, not far from here, and it's just amazing, I can't believe it, I'm really happy," said a glowing Thea Le Borgne (FRA 218).
The silver medal went to Naama Palatnik (ISR 890) and the bronze to Parla Kabasakal (TUR 3504).
The U17 Boys finals were a masterclass from Merlijn Boswijk (NED 244). Starting in the semifinal, he stormed through the rounds, winning both Grand Final races to leapfrog his teammates Peyton Dits (NED 241) and Finn Brull (NED 731), and claim the top spot.
"I just became U17 World Champion. Today was really tricky, we had pretty light winds... Then I sailed a really good semifinal, I won it. Then we did a first Grand Final, and I also won it. In the next and last final... I had a nice gust and I managed to take it. I'm feeling really great. It's insane, I can't believe it. But I'm feeling incredibly happy, it's crazy", said Merlijn Boswijk (NED 244).
The Nations Trophy added an extra layer of excitement to the event. With multiple strong performances across categories, Italy took home the Nations title. Turkey followed closely in second, and France, the host nation, completed the podium in third.
U19 Women - Podium
1. Medea Falcioni (ITA 57)
2. Francesca Salerno (ITA 9)
3. Nurhayat Güven (TUR 1030)
U19 Men - Podium
1. Rory Meehan (AUS 3)
2. Artun Senol (TUR 2008)
3. Mattia Saoncella (ITA 830)
U17 Girls - Top 8
1. Théa Le Borgne Zibetti (FRA 218)
2. Naama Palatnik (ISR 890)
3. Parla Kabasakal (TUR 3504)
U17 Boys - Podium
1. Merlijn Boswijk (NED 244)
2. Peyton Dits (NED 241)
3. Finn Brull (NED 731)
Find out more on the event website.