All British Sailing Team and British Sailing Squad iQFOiL Women qualified for the gold fleet at the Musto iQFOiL World Championships 2026, as day two at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy brought tricky conditions. Islay Watson and Emma Wilson finished the preliminary stages in the top five of the ladder.
Watson and Wilson lead British charge
Watson bounced back with first and second place finishes in course races after two discarded results in Weymouth Bay. The former youth world champion from Aviemore retained her spot from the start of day two, heading into the elimination series in the top three.
Conditions in Weymouth Bay tested sailors as a 20-knot wind fired the competition around four longer course races.
“I’ve still got a lot of racing left to do, so I can’t be overconfident, but I hope I can hold onto that position for as long as possible. There’s no reason why not,” said Watson. “The first half was a bit of a struggle, but the second half was really good. The wind was a lot stronger today and it was pretty all over the place. You had to really focus to not crash.”
Defending champion and men’s qualifiers
Defending world champion Emma Wilson followed Watson closely in fourth place, securing two second place finishes for five top 10 performances in the opening series. Wilson, who had a crash in her second race of the day, said: “That’s what happens when you send it – sometimes it’ll end up like that.”
Jennie Roberts joined her teammates as the final qualifier for the gold fleet, which will fight for places in the finals series for medals. Duncan Monaghan continues to lead the British Sailing Team iQFOiL Men, the Nottingham sailor picking up three top 10 finishes to carry seven points into the gold fleet series.
“It was super shifty and super gusty, it was sketchy at times. I quite enjoy it when it’s super-fast,” Monaghan said. “I'm happy with today and looking forward to tomorrow.”
More Brits in gold fleet and finals schedule
Former European medallist Finn Hawkins made the top 20, while reigning champion Andy Brown also secured his place in the gold fleet and picked up a second race win of the preliminary series. Brown said: “First step done, I haven’t gone into the gold fleet in the best spot, but nor is it the worst spot. There’s room to move forward aggressively.”
Matt Barton will compete in the gold fleet, as will all three British Sailing Squad athletes Max Beaman, Boris Shaw and Will Ziegler, after four course races on Tuesday. Racing resumes on Wednesday with 10 Brits racing in the gold fleets, with the top 10 in each gold fleet advancing to the finals at Weymouth Harbour on Saturday 12 September, with free entry to the Fan Zone at Weymouth Pavilion.
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.
