Daniela Peleg and Luuc van Opzeeland crowned iQFOiL European Champions in Sicily

The Women’s Quarter Final saw Maya Gysler (NOR) and Medea Falcioni (ITA), just 15 years old, advance in a challenging heat that included a dramatic crash by Falcioni after hitting a floating object, yet she recovered to claim her spot in the Semis.

There, the two rising stars faced off with Olympic Champion Marta Maggetti (ITA), Tamar Steinberg (ISR), and Palma Cargo (CRO). Maggetti took the win, while Gysler earned her place in the Final.

The Grand Final brought together Daniela Peleg (ISR), Emma Wilson (GBR), Marta Maggetti, and Maya Gysler. Peleg and Wilson entered the race carrying one match point each. Two Black Flag Disqualifications gave Wilson and Maggetti a five-second penalty, but Emma staged an impressive comeback to finish second behind Peleg, who sailed a tactically brilliant race to successfully defend her title, with Maya Gysler closing the podium in third.

In the Men’s Quarter Final, Andy Brown (GBR) and 19-year-old Leonardo Tomasini (ITA) advanced. They joined Olympic Champion Tom Reuveny (ISR), defending champion Pawel Tarnowski (POL), and Olympic Bronze Medalist Luuc van Opzeeland (NED) in a fierce Semi-Final, where Tarnowski and Van Opzeeland pushed through to the Grand Final.

There, they met top qualifiers Nicolas Goyard (FRA) and Finn Hawkins (GBR). Van Opzeeland won the first race to equal the match point score and then doubled down with a powerful second victory to claim the European title.

Closing Ceremony in Sicily

The Championship concluded with a warm and emotional prize-giving ceremony at Circolo Velico Sferracavallo, where athletes, coaches, and organizers gathered to celebrate a fantastic week of racing and camaraderie.