Bernat Tomas and Nacho Baltasar start their journey to Los Angeles 2028 at the IQFoil International

The IQFOiL class is ready to kick off the Olympic cycle for Los Angeles 2028, as Marina Rubicón hosts the first iQFOiL International Games of the new Olympic cycle.

From January 28 to February 2, this impressive venue will host five days of high-voltage racing amidst the iconic volcanic landscapes, steady trade winds, and sunshine that make Lanzarote a paradise for sailors.

As one of the main IQFOiL competition destinations, Lanzarote has become a benchmark on the International Games circuit. This is the third consecutive year that Marina Rubicón has collaborated with the iQFOiL Class to organize world-class events, following the great success of last year's World Championship and Olympic qualifiers.

This year's Games will introduce new rules and equipment, indicating the IQFOiL class's commitment to inclusion, athlete progression, and innovation. The most notable changes include: sail sizes and a renewed format for the medal race.

Thus, the men's class will now compete with 8 m² sails, while the women's class will compete with newly designed 7.3 m² sails. These changes aim to create a fairer playing field for athletes of all body types and ensure a smoother transition from youth to senior fleets, with aligned sail sizes that reduce costs and training adjustments.

Moreover, the iQFOiL Games in Lanzarote will mark the debut of a trial process for a new medal series format that introduces several significant updates to enhance fairness and excitement. In this renewed structure, only the top 8 athletes from the Opening Series will advance to the medal series, compared to the previous 10. The direct elimination system remains in place for the quarterfinals and semifinals, with athletes ranked 8th to 5th starting in the quarterfinals and the top two advancing to join the 3rd and 4th place athletes in the semifinals. From there, two more will advance to the Grand Final, which now features four athletes instead of three. Notably, the top two sailors from the Opening Series automatically qualify for the Grand Final, and the leader of the Opening Series takes a win, giving them an advantage. The ultimate champion will be crowned in the Grand Final based on the number of wins, and the first athlete to achieve two victories will secure the title. These changes aim to reward consistency and raise the level of competition for all participants.

The first event of the new Olympic cycle has attracted an impressive fleet of athletes, including some of the biggest names in the sport.

In the men's fleet, eight competitors from the Paris 2024 Olympics will be on the starting line, including the sailor from Club Nàutic Sa Ràpita, Nacho Baltasar. In addition, the sailor from Club Nàutic S’Arenal, Bernat Tomás, is also joining the fight to secure a spot in the upcoming Olympic Games.