Poland wins two medals and team title at iQFOiL Youth and Junior European Championships
Leon Jankowski won silver and Julia Przybył bronze in the U19 categories at the iQFOiL Youth and Junior European Championships in Varkiza, Greece. The Polish Sailing Association's national squad also topped the team classification, taking the title of Europe's best team.
In brief
Leon Jankowski won silver and Julia Przybył bronze in the U19 category at the iQFOiL Youth and Junior European Championships in Varkiza, Greece. The Polish Sailing Association national team won the team classification in Varkiza and took the title of Europe's best team. Nearly 300 athletes from 31 countries competed at the iQFOiL championships in Varkiza. Julia Przybył climbed from sixth to third place in the medal series after starting from the quarter-final.
A test of patience in Varkiza
Nearly 300 sailors from 31 countries competed in the championships hosted by the Nautical Club of Vari-Varkiza, racing in four fleets: U19 women and men, and U17 girls and boys. Light and unstable winds dominated the week. On day one only the U19 men and U17 boys managed two slalom races in the afternoon, day two was lost entirely to heavy rain and no wind, and racing resumed on day three only once the breeze settled at around 15 knots. Friday's racing decided the top ten in each fleet who advanced to Saturday's medal series.
In the U19 men's fleet, Leon Jankowski of Sopocki Klub Żeglarski went into the Grand Final in second place, held his position among the leaders and finished with silver.
- The wind conditions were quite variable. Most days were very unstable and rather light. We had one day with stronger wind and a light swell - said Leon Jankowski.
Bronze from the quarter-final and Europe's best team
In the U19 women's fleet, Julia Przybył of UJKS Szturwał Kalisz took a harder route to the podium. After dropping in the standings the previous day, she had to start the medal series from the quarter-final, won it, advanced through the semi-final and fought for a medal in the final, climbing from sixth to third.
- In the final, unfortunately, the Russian was faster. I kept trying to catch her, but I couldn't from the start. Overall I'm very happy, because I jumped from sixth to third, so it's great. I proved to myself that I can sail these slaloms well - said Julia Przybył.
Poland had a strong presence across the top tens. Gustaw Trybek was seventh in U19 men and sixth among Europeans, and Ewa Miarczyńska ninth in U19 women. In U17 girls, Maria Miarczyńska finished just off the podium in fourth, ahead of Marta Gajdzińska in fifth and Kalina Szostek in seventh, while Tymon Wrzesiński was fourth among the U17 boys. Those results added up to victory in the team classification.
- I think the regatta was very successful. Two medals and above all Poland winning as a team. We are the best team in Europe at this event - said Maciej Dziemiańczuk, Leon Jankowski's coach.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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