An unusual final and some fine winners

17/07/2023

At the end of an unusual final for the men, and a more classic one for the women, Nicolas Goyard and Sharon Kantor won the Test Event in Marseille on Sunday, a victory that will have to be confirmed in 1 year's time during the official event...
On the day of the medal race, a south-westerly wind was blowing in the southern harbour of Marseille, between 8 and 12 knots depending on the race zone. After a long week during which the competitors raced a total of 19 races, everything (or almost everything) has to be done again this Sunday.

On a mixed course combining Slalom and Course Racing with a windward climb at the halfway point, the heats followed one another and it was the Italian Nicolo Renna and the German Sebastian Koerdel who met Nicolas Goyard in the final. After a premature 1st start by Nicolo Renna and a 3rd place for the latter, the 2021 and 2022 world champions took off again and also crossed the start line too early. Nicolas Goyard was crowned winner after a fine week of competition, while Sebastian Koerdel took silver after reaching the final. A race format that still provokes a great deal of discussion, and the disapproval of some racers, the medal race is showing its limits here, with race rules that will logically be reviewed so that spectators can witness a real final at the Olympic Games...

The more traditional women's medal race saw the Netherlands' Sara Wennekes and England's Emma Wilson meet Israel's Sharon Kantor in the final. The sporting logic of the week was respected and Kantor won after a great battle with Wilson, the young windsurfer coached by Shahar Zubari proving in the process that she will be a serious contender in 1 year's time.
The Test Event comes to a close after a week of intense competition, during which the competitors were treated to a wide range of weather possibilities in Marseille. But in 1 year's time, everything will have to be done again, with a different event and much higher stakes...

Women's iQFOil ranking
1/ Sharon Kantor (ISR)
2/ Emma Wilson (GBR)
3/ Sara Wennekes (NED)
4/ Mariana Aguilar Chavez (MEX)
5/ Giorgia Speciale (ITA)
6/ Veerle Ten Have (NZL)
7/ Maja Dziarnowska (POL)
8/ Palma Cargo (CRO)
9/ Pilar Gonzalez de la Madrid Trueba (ESP)
10/ Mina Mobekk (NOR)

Men's iQFOil ranking
1/ Nicolas Goyard (FRA)
2/ Sebastian Kördel (GER)
3/ Nicolo Renna (ITA)
4/ Grae Morris (AUS)
5/ Nacho Baltasar Summers (ESP)
6/ Huig Jan Tak (NED)
7/ Sam Sills (GBR)
8/ Tom Reuveny (ISR)
9/ Josh Anthony Armit (NZL)
10/ Elia Colombo (SUI)

Source: World Sailing
Photos: World Sailing