iQFOiL Youth & Junior European Championships: Nov, Stopchenko, Patiño Riutord and Baş crowned European champions

The 2026 iQFOiL Youth & Junior European Championshipsconcluded today in Varkiza, Greece, with Kfir Nov (ISR), Taisiia Stopchenko (RUS), Enric Patiño Riutord (ESP) and Ece Melis Baş (TUR) claiming the four European titles after a spectacular Medal Series.

Hosted by the Nautical Club of Vari-Varkiza, the championship brought together 290 sailors from 31 nations, with six days of qualification racing leading to a dramatic final showdown on the Downwind Slalom course.

The U19 Men's final delivered the biggest drama of the day. After advancing through the Semi-Final, Kfir Nov (ISR) faced qualification leaders Artun Şenol (TUR) and Leon Jankowski (POL), alongside Valentino Blewett (CAN). Nov won the first Grand Final race, Blewett claimed the second, and suddenly all four sailors were tied on one match point, with the next victory deciding the title. In a thrilling final race, Nov and Şenol battled for the lead until the Turkish sailor crashed on the final reach, ending his medal hopes after leading throughout the week. Nov crossed the line to become European Champion, ahead ofLeon Jankowski (POL) and Valentino Blewett (CAN).

U19 Men – Final Podium

Kfir Nov (ISR)
Leon Jankowski (POL)
Valentino Blewett (CAN)

In the U17 Boys, Enric Patiño Riutord (ESP) converted his qualification lead into European gold. The Spaniard took control of the Grand Final after early-start penalties forced two of his rivals to start five seconds late. He sailed to a convincing victory, with Swann Manhaval (FRA) securing silver and Luca Pacchiotti (ITA) bronze, the latter having fought his way through the Semi-Final.

U17 Boys – Final Podium

Enric Patiño Riutord       (ESP)
Swann Manhaval (FRA)
Luca Pacchiotti (ITA)

The U19 Women's title went to reigning World Champion Taisiia Stopchenko (RUS), who completed a dominant week with another commanding victory in the Grand Final. Behind her, home favorite Danai Giannouli (GRE) celebrated a well-deserved silver medal, while Julia Przybyl (POL) produced one of the day's strongest comebacks. After dropping to sixth in qualification, the Polish sailor fought her way through both the Quarter-Final and Semi-Final to claim bronze.

U19 Women – Final Podium

Taisiia Stopchenko (RUS)
Danai Giannouli (GRE)
Julia Przybyl (POL)

The final surprise came in the U17 Girls, where Ece Melis Baş (TUR) overturned the dominance of reigning World Champion Parla Kabasakal. The two Turkish sailors battled closely from the start of the Grand Final, but Baş took the lead and held on despite a costly mistake at the second mark, securing the European title. Parla Kabasakal (TUR) finished with silver after an outstanding qualification series, while Nisa Üstündağ (TUR) completed an entirely Turkish podium.

U17 Girls – Final Podium

Ece Melis Baş (TUR)
Parla Kabasakal (TUR)
Nisa Üstündağ (TUR)

After a week of changing conditions, from light and unstable winds to spectacular strong-breeze racing, the 2026 iQFOiL Youth & Junior European Championships concluded with the prize-giving ceremony, celebrating four new European Champions and an exceptional display of young international windsurfing talent.

The final day once again highlighted the excitement and unpredictability of the iQFOiL Medal Series, where even the strongest qualification performances offer no guarantee of gold.