iQFoil: the windsurfing class will make its Olympic debut in Paris 2024 | Photo: SOF

The iQFoil class will make its Olympic debut in Paris 2024.

After a long reign that ran from Beijing 2008 to Tokyo 2020, the RS:X windsurfing says goodbye to the Summer Olympics.

The new Olympic windsurfing class is iQFoil.

The iQFoil is a high-performance, one-design hydrofoil windsurf racing equipment produced by Starboard that reaches 60 kilometers per hour (37.3 miles per hour).

The Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Competition will feature 48 windsurfers - 24 male and 24 female athletes.

The racing program will take place at Roucas-Blanc Marina in Marseille, France, from July 28 to August 2.

Athletes will have at least three opportunities to secure qualification for their National Olympic Committee (NOC) in the Olympic Sailing Competition.

Each NOC, in collaboration with its national sailing federation, establishes its unique criteria and schedule for choosing athletes to compete in the events for which the NOC successfully qualifies.

iQFoil: the hydrofoil windsurfing equipment reaches 60 kilometers per hour | Photo: SOF

Quota Places and Qualifying Events

The complete qualification program for the Paris 2024 Olympic windsurfing competition involves the following events and criteria:

2023 Sailing World Championships

  • Eleven (11) quote places for the highest-placed NOCs (men);
  • Eleven (11) quote places for the highest-placed NOCs (women);

2023/2024 Continental Qualification Events

  • Six (6) quota places for the highest-placed NOCs from each continent (Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe, North America and the Caribbean, and Oceania) (men);
  • Six (6) quota places for the highest-placed NOCs from each continent (Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe, North American and the Caribbean, and Oceania) (women);

2024 Last Chance Regatta

  • Five (5) quota places for the highest-placed NOCs (men);
  • Five (5) quota places for the highest-placed NOCs (men);

2024 Emerging Nations

  • One (1) quota place for the highest-placed NOCs (men);
  • One (1) quota place for the highest-placed NOCs (women);

France | Host Country

  • One quota place (men);
  • One quota place (women);

Paris 2024 Olympic Games | Qualified Nations and Selected Windsurfers

Men

  • TBD (Algeria)
  • TBD (Argentina)
  • TBD (Aruba)
  • Grae Morris (Australia)
  • TBD (Brazil)
  • TBD (China)
  • Johan Søe (Denmark)
  • TBD (Finland)
  • Nicolas Goyard (France)
  • TBD (Germany)
  • Sam Sills (Great Britain)
  • TBD (Greece)
  • TBD (Hong Kong)
  • Tom Reuveny (Israel)
  • Nicolò Renna (Italy)
  • TBD (Japan)
  • TBD (Lithuania)
  • Luuc van Opzeeland (Netherlands)
  • Josh Armit (New Zealand)
  • TBD (Poland)
  • TBD (Slovakia)
  • Ignacio Baltasar (Spain)
  • TBD (Switzerland)
  • Noah Lyons (United States)

Women

  • TBD (Argentina)
  • TBD (Austria)
  • TBD (China)
  • TBD (Croatia)
  • TBD (Czechia)
  • Ingrid Puusta (Estonia)
  • Hélène Noesmoen (France)
  • TBD (Germany)
  • Emma Wilson (Great Britain)
  • TBD (Hong Kong)
  • Sharon Kantor (Israel)
  • Marta Maggetti (Italy)
  • TBD (Mexico)
  • Sara Wennekes (Netherlands)
  • Veerle ten Have (New Zealand)
  • TBD (Norway)
  • TBD (Poland)
  • TBD (Slovenia)
  • TBD (Spain)
  • TBD (Sweden)
  • TBD (Switzerland)
  • TBD (Türkiye)
  • Dominique Stater (United States)
  • TBD (AIN)


Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com

Top Stories

Professional surfers Kai Lenny and Jamie O'Brien embarked on a thrilling adventure when they set sail aboard the high-performance USA SailGP F50 foiling catamaran.

Planing is one of the most exciting skills you can master while windsurfing. It usually separates beginners from intermediate and advanced sailors. But what is the minimum wind speed to get flying over water?

Imagine gliding across a frozen lake, your sail catching the wind, and skis slicing through the ice and snow. Meet the sport that blends the thrill of windsurfing with the crisp, cold beauty of winter landscapes.

The Portuguese island of Madeira is home to the world's first natural swimming pool windsurfing regatta.