The Ruins of Empúries yesterday hosted the official presentation of the 2026 IQFoil Youth World Championship, which will take place in the Bay of Roses from July 3rd to 10th. This competition is one of the most important events on the international youth sailing calendar, featuring participation in the U17 and U18 categories.
More than 400 athletes from 36 countries will compete in the IQFoil discipline, a more spectacular and faster evolution of classic windsurfing. This sport is characterized by boards that lift above the water and offers two competition formats: Sprint Slalom, faster and more explosive, and Course Racing, more tactical between buoys. The competition will unfold over seven days.
Organizing this event presents a significant logistical challenge, with approximately 100 additional boats expected for coaches and technical teams. The collaboration of the Club Nàutic L’Escala is key to ensuring the smooth running of logistics, along with support from the Club de Vela La "Ballena Alegre" in Sant Pere Pescador. This partnership positions L'Escala and the Bay of Roses as sailing hubs.
The presentation at the Ruins of Empúries was attended by various authorities, including the Secretary General of Sport of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Abel Garcia; the president of the Catalan Sailing Federation, Josep Maria Isern; the general director of the IQFoil class, Gonzalo Costa; the mayor of Sant Pere Pescador, Agustí Badosa; the mayor of L'Escala, Josep Bofill; the president of the Club de Vela La Ballena Alegre, José Alberto Gainza Blanco, and the club's sporting director, Pep Subirats.
Beyond the sporting and logistical aspects, the championship emphasizes sustainability through the project "conèixer per preservar" (to know in order to preserve). This initiative aims to promote environmental protection and the preservation of the marine ecosystem through alliances between institutions, foundations, and clubs, ensuring the longevity of these natural spaces.
