Finn Knight reflects on Youth World Championships as he prepares for home iQFOiL World Championships

Team OTC
2 days ago
4 min read

OTC Team Rider Finn Knight has shared his thoughts after competing at the iQFOiL Youth and Junior World Championships in Roses, Spain, as he now turns his attention to the biggest event of his career – the Musto iQFOiL World Championships on his home waters in Weymouth & Portland this September.

By Emma Maguire.

Looking back on the championships, Finn said:

“Looking back on the iQFOiL Youth and Junior World Championships in Roses, I’d sum it up as a really positive and memorable experience. The venue was excellent, set along a 14km sandy beach, which made launching straightforward and created a great atmosphere. The racing area being close to shore also meant it was easy for spectators to watch, which added to the event.”

Competing in one of the largest fleets of the event, Finn was up against some of the world’s best young riders.

“In my class (U19), there were around 150 competitors from over 30 countries, so the standard was really high. It was great to be racing against such a strong international fleet, as it really pushes you to improve.”

For Finn, the friendships built through the sport remain just as important as the racing itself.

“One of the best parts for me is always catching up with friends from other countries who I’ve competed against over the years. That side of the sport makes events like this even more enjoyable, as it’s not just about racing but also about the people you meet along the way.”

Battling the heat

The championship proved to be a demanding test, with soaring temperatures making every day physically challenging.

“The conditions were really challenging from a racing perspective. It was an eight-day event, with seven days of racing followed by medal races on the final day. Temperatures reached around 40°C, with most days averaging about 37°C, which made it physically demanding both on and off the water.”

Although the team trained in strong Tramontana winds before the event, the conditions changed dramatically once racing began.

“Before the event, we trained in the Tramontana winds, which are very strong northerly winds and quite unusual for summer. Once racing started, though, the wind dropped right off. We weren’t able to complete any full course races, so the series consisted mainly of upwind sprints and slalom racing.”

Despite the difficult conditions, Finn secured a place in the highly competitive Gold Fleet.

“When the fleet split into gold and silver, I was sitting comfortably in the middle of the gold fleet, which I was really pleased with considering how competitive the racing was. The rest of the week continued with light-wind racing, and staying focused in the heat against such a strong international fleet was a real challenge.”

Learning from every race

Like every major championship, the event provided valuable lessons.

“I definitely made some mistakes, especially on the final day when I jumped the start and received a significant penalty. Unfortunately, the wind then disappeared, so there wasn’t enough racing left for me to discard that score, which was disappointing.”

Despite the setback, Finn is already looking ahead.

“Overall, I’ve taken away a lot of valuable lessons from the event. Competing in those conditions has given me plenty to work on, and I’m looking forward to using that experience to improve for future regattas.”

Next stop: Scotland

Before returning home for the World Championships, Finn will compete in another event.

“Next week I’m heading to the Scottish Fin and Foil event in Stranraer. I’ve never raced there before, so I’m really looking forward to experiencing a new venue and, hopefully, some good wind conditions. Then it’s back home to Weymouth to prepare for the iQ FOIL World Championships.”

Promoting the World Championships

As one of Britain’s rising stars, Finn has also been helping to promote September’s World Championships.

“I was really excited to be asked by the RYA to be involved in the media campaign ahead of the iQFOiL World Championships in Weymouth and Portland this September. We spent the day filming and taking photos at some of the area’s most iconic locations, including Weymouth Harbour, the beach and Portland Bill. It definitely turned a few heads, with lots of people wondering what we were doing! I hope the campaign helps showcase how exciting our sport is and encourages people to come and watch the event, especially the medal races on 12th September. There will also be plenty of free opportunities for people to have a go at windsurfing and sailing through taster sessions at the Fan Zone (Weymouth Pavilion) on the final day.”

A dream becoming reality

Competing at the senior World Championships in his hometown is something Finn has dreamed about since childhood.

“I’m incredibly grateful to have qualified for the iQFOiL World Championships in my hometown. It means so much to me because I first learned to windfoil in Portland Harbour when I was nine years old, and now I have the chance to represent Great Britain on the same waters where my journey began.”

He knows the challenge ahead will be unlike anything he has faced before.

“I know this will be the toughest event I’ve ever competed in. It’s a senior championship featuring the best riders in the world, so my goal is to gain as much experience as I can, learn from the top athletes and continue developing as I make the transition into senior competition.”

Inspiring the next generation

Finn hopes his journey will encourage young riders coming through The OTC Pathway Clubs.

“I hope my journey can inspire the young windsurfers coming through The OTC Pathway Clubs and show them that, with hard work, dedication and a real love for the sport, you can achieve more than you ever thought possible. I was once in their position, so if my experience encourages even one young sailor to keep believing in themselves and enjoying the journey, then that’s something I’m really proud of.”

He finished by thanking everyone who has supported him throughout his windsurfing journey.

“Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me along the way. I’m really grateful to my coaches with The British Sailing Youth Team, everyone at The OTC, and, most importantly, my mum and dad. None of this would have been possible without their support and encouragement.”