Olympic gold medallist Siren Sundby (NOR) and Olympian Monika Mikkola (FIN) joined experienced riders Kamil Manowiecki (POL), Romain Ghio (FRA) and Henry Myers (AUS) for an athlete Q&A at the first X-15 World Championship in Ibiza today, sharing lessons on improving performance and sustaining a fulfilling career in sport.
Hosted by the X-15 Class Association, the session gave competitors an opportunity to learn from athletes who had different routes into wingfoiling. The discussion moved from starting techniques and physical preparation to setting goals, managing setbacks and retaining the enjoyment that first brought them onto the water.
Racing wasn’t possible for the third straight day in Ibiza, with calm seas and no wind keeping the fleet off the race course. This allowed a programme for the riders to learn from each other, do a pump foil demonstration under the watch of Ibiza’s Cathedral before heading to Formentera.
Mikkola delivered one of the session’s strongest messages, encouraging young riders to pursue their ambitions while keeping their sporting identity in perspective.
“Never let the sailor in you be ahead of the person,” she said. “Whatever happens in sailing, there’s a whole other life for you. Enjoy it, even when it’s hard.”
Reflecting on her Olympic experience, Mikkola spoke about being prepared for outcomes that differ from the original plan. For the younger competitors, her advice was to stay focused, work hard and remain open to the many opportunities ahead of them.
Sundby explained how long-term ambitions become more manageable when broken down into smaller goals. While reaching the Olympic Games had been her overarching ambition, setting a meaningful target each week helped maintain motivation and recognise progress.
“Four years is a long time so you’ve got to keep motivation along the way,” she said.
That emphasis on preparation carried into the panel’s advice on racing. Manowiecki described the importance of approaching a start with a clear plan while retaining the flexibility to change it as the situation develops.
Ghio stressed the value of repeatedly practising time and distance in different wind conditions. Understanding board speed and the distance to the line allows riders to judge where they can be with ten seconds remaining, five seconds remaining and at the starting signal.
Myers outlined the physical work behind his riding, combining gym training with other forms of foiling practice, including flat-water paddling and working on getting the board onto the foil.
The panel also explored the appeal of wingfoiling and the experience riders can bring from other disciplines. Sundby highlighted its enjoyment alongside the sailing strategy that can transfer from dinghy racing. Ghio recalled being drawn to wingfoiling after seeing friends take part while he was training in iQFOiL.
Mikkola encouraged competitors to broaden their experience across different forms of foiling and racing.
“Do everything. Try all the foiling. All the racing. The more you have, the better prepared you get,” she said.
Looking ahead, Sundby encouraged the class to keep logistics simple and learn from approaches that have already worked elsewhere in sailing. Her advice reflected a wider theme of the morning: progress comes through sharing experience as well as time spent training and racing.
As the X-15 Class stages its first world championship, the session offered competitors practical ideas and insight from those who have been there, and done it.
The final day of racing on Sunday 8 November will bring the 2026 championship to a close where the class will celebrate its first world champions.
