The 2026 iQFOiL Open European Championships came to a conclusion Saturday in Portimão, Portugal.
In the end, it was Dutch Olympic bronze medallist Luuc Van Opzeeland and Israel’s rising star Tamar Steinberg who secured the 2026 European titles.
Denmark’s Johan Søe (DEN) and Italy’s U23 Federico Alan Pilloni (ITA) completed the Men’s podium, while New Zealand’s Aimee Bright (NZL) and another Israeli sailor, Shahar Tibi (ISR), claimed second and third respectively in the Women’s fleet.
Saturday’s Medal Series featured only the top 10 athletes from the Final Series standings, with sailors progressing through Quarter Finals and Semi Finals before reaching the decisive Grand Finals.
In the Women’s Medal Series Grand Final, overall leader Tamar Steinberg quickly found her trademark speed and arrived first at the top mark. Shahar Tibi steadily closed the gap, but Steinberg remained calm under pressure and secured the race win needed to become the 2026 iQFOiL European Champion.
The decisive Men’s Grand Final, started with a perfect launch from both Luuc Van Opzeeland and Denmark’s Johan Søe, each entering the race already carrying a match point advantage.
Despite a tense final downwind where the Dutchman nearly lost control, he held his composure to cross the finish line first and officially become the 2026 iQFOiL European Champion.
British competitor Finn Hawkins finished 9th and Emma Wilson 12th.
Women – Final Podium
1st Tamar Steinberg (ISR)
2nd Aimee Bright (NZL)
3rd Shahar Tibi (ISR)
Men – Final Podium
1st Luuc Van Opzeeland (NED)
2nd Johan Søe (DEN)
3rd Federico Alan Pilloni (ITA)
