2025 iQFOiL World Championships in Aarhus - Overall
by iQFOiL Communications 12 Jul 03:37 AEST
4-11 July 2025
The 2025 iQFOiL World Championship wrapped up in Aarhus with a spectacular Medal Series showdown that saw Emma Wilson (GBR 7) and Andy Brown (GBR 360) rise to the top and secure World Championship titles.
In the Women's fleet, Tamar Steinberg (ISR 216) claimed silver, with Theresa Steinlein (GER 799) completing the podium with bronze.
On the Men's side, Tom Arnoux (FRA 152) clinched silver, and Nicolò Renna (ITA 150) finished with bronze, after a day of fierce racing in strengthening breeze and growing tension.
"It was a long day in the end we did three final races to decide who was the winner and finally after two seconds I won the last one!!! I'm just so happy, it doesn't feel real!! I was trying to keep cool all week, it wasn't easy but I just keep believing in my training and I knew I was super fast, so just go fast and try and pick a good side.. I have never won the senior title before, so to be Senior World champion it's just a dream since a little kid!!", commented an ecstatic Emma Wilson.
"It was exciting, that's for sure, it was really like up and down, shifting left and right, you need to have a bit of luck and and luckily it went my way and then so super congratulations to Tom and Nicolò as well for 2nd and 3rd, I am really happy!! This title means a lot, I've been working for this for a long time, being full time windsurfing since 2017, I didn't know it was coming this year but I was hoping it would come at some point, so super happy!! I can't believe I won.. it's going to take a couple of months and then I'll get a bit cocky and then need to come back down again, so we'll see what happens but I'm shocked, yeah, super happy!!", it was the thrilled comment by Andy Brown.
The day began with Quarter Finals in a gusty and shifty wind ranging from 12-15 knots. In the Women's heat, Daniela Peleg (ISR 2) surged through the fleet to win ahead of Maya Gysler (NOR 21), Maja Dziarnowska (POL 7) and Palma Cargo (CRO 9), the first two going through.
In the Men's Quarter Final, a strong start from Mateus Isaac (BRA 7) turned into a battle at the gate, where Tom Arnoux (FRA 152) took the lead and held it to the finish, followed by Mateus Isaac (BRA 7), Tomer Vardimon (ISR 30) and Luuc van Opzeeland (NED 55).
Next came the Semifinals. In the Women's, a general recall pushed three athletes into a delayed restart, allowing Theresa Steinlein (GER 799) an early edge. But it was Maya Gysler (NOR 21) who stole the lead at the gate and held on to advance, with Theresa second.
In the Men's, Kiran Badloe (NED 9) led early but dropped to fourth after choosing the slower side of the course. A slip from Nicolas Goyard (FRA 465) opened the door for Mateus Isaac (BRA 7) to pass Tom Arnoux (FRA 152) on the final leg and win the race, with Tom second and Nico third.
The Grand Finals delivered the most intense racing of the week. In Women's Race 1, Theresa Steinlein (GER 799) led from the start as Emma Wilson (GBR 7) recovered from a crash to finish second. Tamar Steinberg (ISR 216) and Maya Gysler (NOR 21) followed close behind — leaving Emma and Theresa tied with one win each. In Race 2, a general recall and Maya's 5-second penalty added drama. Emma led early but Tamar Steinberg (ISR 216) surged ahead on the opposite side and secured the win. Emma was second, Theresa third. In the third and final Women's Race, with three riders at one win each, it was Emma Wilson (GBR 7) who made the call of the day, tacking right early and building an uncatchable lead. Maya Gysler (NOR 21) briefly challenged, but Emma regained control downwind and sailed to her first ever World title, followed by Maya Gysler in second, but Tamar Steinberg (ISR 216), in third, claimed the silver medal and Theresa Steinlein (GER 799) the bronze.
In Men's Grand Final Race 1, it was Tom Arnoux (FRA 152) who capitalized on a right-side gain to snatch victory from Andy Brown (GBR 360), who overtook Mateus Isaac (BRA 7) late on. Tom and Andy now each had one win. The Second Race saw Andy Brown (GBR 360) control the race from start to finish, winning the final race and securing the World Championship title. Nicolò Renna (ITA 150) took second in the race and third overall, with Tom Arnoux (FRA 152) placing third in the race and second overall.
With changing conditions, emerging talents and a refined format, Aarhus 2025 confirmed iQFOiL's growing global appeal and the strength of a new generation already dreaming of LA 2028. The stage is now set for a new Olympic cycle, and the bar has never been higher.
More information and full results at 2025iqworldsaarhus.sailti.com/en/default/races/race