ON THE WATER
RYA delivers a world-class competition
iQFOiL Worlds brings elite competition closer to the local community, spectators and a wider audience
Weymouth and Portland provided the perfect stage for the 2026 Musto iQFOiL World Championship in September, as the RYA brought the world’s leading Olympic windsurfers to Britain’s south coast for six days of high-speed racing.
Hosted by the RYA at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, the event was the first iQFOiL World Championship to be staged in the UK, and the first World Championship for an Olympic windsurfing discipline on British waters since 2009.
More than 180 athletes competed in changing conditions, from light and tactical racing, through to the stronger winds and challenging chop for which Weymouth is renowned, across course racing and sprint slalom, with boards reaching speeds of up to 35 knots.
The championship showcased the RYA’s ability to deliver a world-class international competition while connecting elite sport with local communities, spectators and the wider sailing and watersports audience. From race management and athlete services to spectator engagement and sustainability, the event brought together all the elements needed to deliver a major championship.
For the home team, Scotland’s Islay Watson produced the standout British performance of the championship. Racing on home waters, Watson remained in contention throughout the week and secured a place among the elite sailors advancing to the final medal series. After holding third place heading into the closing stages of qualification racing, Watson demonstrated consistency and determination against some of the strongest international competition in the sport.
Israel’s Tamar Steinberg secured the women’s world title following a dominant week, while Dutch sailor Luuc van Opzeeland converted his strong qualification form into gold in the men’s championship.
Top: A fleet of windsurfers steer through strong winds at the iQFOiL Worlds. Above: The Fan Zone had a festival atmosphere.
Top: A fleet of windsurfers steer through strong winds at the iQFOiL Worlds. Above: The Fan Zone had a festival atmosphere.
Enter the Fan Zone
On the final day, the RYA’s Fan Zone at Weymouth Pavilion brought the action closer to spectators, with live racing, athlete interviews, music and family activities creating a festival atmosphere. It also provided opportunities for people of all ages to get involved through the RYA ELEVATE programme, with free windsurfing, sailing and on-water taster sessions available.
The programme has delivered 3,000 hours of contact time with young people throughout the year and engaged more than 30 local sailing club volunteers, helping to develop skills from race management to mark laying.
The championship showed how the RYA can use major events to not only showcase world-class sailing but also engage communities, inspire participation and bring the sport to new audiences.
Weymouth and Portland provided the perfect stage for the 2026 Musto iQFOiL World Championship in September, as the RYA brought the world’s leading Olympic windsurfers to Britain’s south coast for six days of high-speed racing.
Hosted by the RYA at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, the event was the first iQFOiL World Championship to be staged in the UK, and the first World Championship for an Olympic windsurfing discipline on British waters since 2009.
More than 180 athletes competed in changing conditions, from light and tactical racing, through to the stronger winds and challenging chop for which Weymouth is renowned, across course racing and sprint slalom, with boards reaching speeds of up to 35 knots.
The championship showcased the RYA’s ability to deliver a world-class international competition while connecting elite sport with local communities, spectators and the wider sailing and watersports audience. From race management and athlete services to spectator engagement and sustainability, the event brought together all the elements needed to deliver a major championship.
For the home team, Scotland’s Islay Watson produced the standout British performance of the championship. Racing on home waters, Watson remained in contention throughout the week and secured a place among the elite sailors advancing to the final medal series. After holding third place heading into the closing stages of qualification racing, Watson demonstrated consistency and determination against some of the strongest international competition in the sport.
Israel’s Tamar Steinberg secured the women’s world title following a dominant week, while Dutch sailor Luuc van Opzeeland converted his strong qualification form into gold in the men’s championship.
Top: A fleet of windsurfers steer through strong winds at the iQFOiL Worlds. Above: The Fan Zone had a festival atmosphere.
Top: A fleet of windsurfers steer through strong winds at the iQFOiL Worlds. Above: The Fan Zone had a festival atmosphere.
Enter the Fan Zone
On the final day, the RYA’s Fan Zone at Weymouth Pavilion brought the action closer to spectators, with live racing, athlete interviews, music and family activities creating a festival atmosphere. It also provided opportunities for people of all ages to get involved through the RYA ELEVATE programme, with free windsurfing, sailing and on-water taster sessions available.
The programme has delivered 3,000 hours of contact time with young people throughout the year and engaged more than 30 local sailing club volunteers, helping to develop skills from race management to mark laying.
The championship showed how the RYA can use major events to not only showcase world-class sailing but also engage communities, inspire participation and bring the sport to new audiences.
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