Ibiza Hosts Inaugural X-15 Wingfoil World Championship with 107 Riders from 24 Nations

11 November 2026

Ibiza hosted the first-ever X-15 Wingfoil World Championship from 4 to 8 November 2026, welcoming 107 riders from 24 nations for five inaugural world titles. The competition brought together experienced international sailors and emerging wingfoil talent at Port Nàutic Ibiza, marking an important milestone for the developing one-design class.

Organised by Club Mare Nostrum, with support from De Antonio Yachts, the championship concluded on Sunday 8 November with five riders making history as the first X-15 world champions in their respective divisions.

Five Inaugural World Champions Crowned

The first championship titles were awarded to competitors from five different countries, representing four continents.

Poland's Kamil Manowiecki won the Senior Men's title, while Germany's Jette Koep became the Senior Women's world champion. In the junior divisions, Holland Vierling of the United States secured the Under-19 Men's crown, China's Yana Li won the Under-19 Women's title, and Brazil's Benjamin Almeida claimed the Under-15 championship.

The results reflected a range of competitive backgrounds. Vierling was taking part in his first international event, while Li won the Under-19 Women's title at her first X-15 competition.

Light Winds Shape the Championship

Wind conditions played a significant role throughout the five-day event, limiting the number of races available to competitors.

The senior men's and women's fleets were unable to complete further races after the opening day. Their world titles were therefore decided by the results already recorded, with Manowiecki and Koep retaining the leading positions.

The junior fleets had another opportunity to compete on the final Sunday, when a late-afternoon breeze allowed additional racing. Vierling completed an unbeaten Under-19 Men's series, adding three victories to his opening-day win.

Li also made the most of the final racing opportunity, winning both of her remaining races to secure the Under-19 Women's title after beginning the day with a black-flag disqualification from the opening race.

In the Under-15 division, Almeida maintained his lead with two further victories, completing the championship with three race wins.

A One-Design Format Brings Riders Together

The X-15 championship used a one-design format, with competitors racing on standardised, class-approved equipment. This approach places greater emphasis on individual riding ability, tactical decisions and reading the conditions, rather than differences in equipment.

The event also brought together sailors from different generations and levels of experience. Olympic-level competitors shared the racecourse with younger riders entering international competition, while discussions about equipment settings and racing techniques continued among participants throughout the week.

X-15 Class founder and Starboard founder Svein Rasmussen welcomed the international participation, highlighting the connections formed between experienced sailors and the next generation of wingfoilers.

The championship's organisers also acknowledged the work of Club Mare Nostrum, Port Nàutic Ibiza, De Antonio Yachts, officials, volunteers and families involved in bringing the inaugural event to the island.

The X-15 Class Looks Ahead to Its Next Events

Following the conclusion of the Ibiza championship, attention turns to the X-15 Asian Cup, scheduled for December 2026 at Amara Watersports Club in Thailand. The class is also preparing for a new calendar of events beginning in January 2027.

Ibiza's inaugural championship has established the first group of X-15 world champions and brought together an international field of riders for the class's next stage of development.

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