iQFOiL Asian Championships and iQFOiL International Games in Shenzhen, China – Day 1
by iQFOiL Class Communications 20 Nov 08:34 PST
19-25 November 2025
iQFOiL Asian Championships and iQFOiL International Games day 1 © Sailing Energy / iQFOiL Class
The opening day of the iQFOiL Asian Championships and iQFOiL International Games presented difficult conditions, with only the Senior Men’s fleet able to finish a race.
A typhoon just offshore from Shenzhen created highly challenging weather, leading to inconsistent winds throughout the day.
The day started with hopeful racing conditions, but as time went on, the breeze faded, providing just enough wind to conduct a Slalom race for the Senior Men. Despite the difficulties, Kun BI (CHN 1), Zhen HUANG (CHN 577), and Ching Yin CHENG (HKG 21) claimed victories in their heats, showcasing their skills and flexibility.
“It was a real challenge today,” remarked Kun BI, “we were fortunate, as senior men, to complete all three heats of the first race; everyone, including the Race Committee, gave their all, and we will continue until the final day, preparing for the Medal Series.”
Regrettably, no races could occur for the other fleets because of the light and fluctuating winds. The organizers remain hopeful for better conditions tomorrow, despite similar predictions in the forecast.
“We’re facing distinctive challenges with the typhoon’s impact on the weather,” said Ewa Jodlowska, the Principal Race Officer. “While today involved waiting, we remain optimistic that the winds will cooperate, allowing racing to resume across all fleets soon.”
The iQFOiL Asian Championships and International Games feature 148 competitors from various Asian nations, including China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and Korea. The event includes several disciplines, such as Course Racing, Sprint Slalom, and Marathon, aimed at evaluating the athletes’ versatility and stamina.
The competition resumes tomorrow, with the first race planned for 12:30 PM. Stay tuned for updates as we report from Shenzhen.
