Leading British woman Islay Watson had to remain focussed as the Musto iQFOiL World Championships 2026 in Weymouth & Portland threw up difficult conditions.
The athlete from Aviemore ensured she remains in medal contention at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, making the gold fleet on the second day of racing, ranked third after the preliminary series.
Watson was met with a strong 20-knot wind in Weymouth Bay and a race win was the highlight of the Brit’s day with a second-place finish and discarded races outside the top 20 the rest of her results on Tuesday.
Watson ends her preliminary series with race wins in each the upwind sprint slalom and course race and four top-five performances from eight races in Dorset.
“It was difficult,” Watson said, “I feel like I figured it out in the end, but it was a day of two halves.
“I’ve got a lot of racing still to do, I can’t be overconfident, but I hope I can keep informed and hold onto that position for as long as possible. There’s no reason why not.
“The winds were a lot stronger today, all over the place. It was definitely more of a ‘head out in the boat’ day, it was something different for everyone.
“The wind and the gusts made it quite intense, you had to really focus to not crash,” she added.
The British Sailing Team windsurfer will fight to make the finals series at the windsurfing and sailing venue for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
She made the top-five and will race in the elimination series from Wednesday to Friday, in order to decide the top 10 of the gold fleet who will have the right to race for medals.
All the action is building towards the finale on Saturday, with a Fan Zone at Weymouth Pavilion bringing windsurfing to spectators and families by the Jurassic Coast seaside.
The elimination series start on Wednesday 9 September in both men’s and women’s competitions, with 10 British Sailing Team and British Sailing Squad athletes in the running.
Duncan Monaghan is the leading British man into Wednesday, with all three British Sailing Team and British Sailing Squad women in the running for the medal finals this weekend.
The Musto iQFOiL World Championships 2026 are taking place from 7-12 September. Get closer to the action on the final day by visiting the Fan Zone on Weymouth Pavilion to enjoy a full day of live racing, big-screen coverage, music, family activities, food and opportunities to get out on the water. Find out more at rya.org.uk
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