X-15: two world bronze medals and a look to the future

Leo Zabell and Martín Medina took their places on the podium at the X-15 World Championship held in Ibiza, whilst Ángel Medina finished the event in 13th place overall. The three sailors return from the international event with different experiences, new insights and goals for the coming season.

Leo Zabell: a bronze medal that inspires dreams

Leo Zabell won the Under-19 bronze medal at the first X-15 World Championships, a result made all the more valuable by the challenging conditions of the competition and the difficulty in completing the races.

“The most special thing was being able to fight for a medal at the first X-15 World Championships.”

The sailor arrived in Ibiza feeling confident following his recent results, although he acknowledges that the wait was one of the biggest challenges. He had to be ready to compete at any moment and, with few races completed, a poor result could significantly affect the standings.

His focus on consistency ultimately secured him a place on the podium, even in conditions that weren’t his favourites.

Looking ahead, his priorities are clear: improving his starts, his cardiovascular endurance and his technique in light winds. The bronze medal has given him confidence and an even greater desire to fight for the world title.

Martín Medina: a podium finish beyond his expectations

Martín Medina finished third in the world Under-17 rankings and 14th in the combined rankings with the Under-19s. A result that exceeded his own expectations, despite arriving in Ibiza having undergone intensive training in Wingfoil Race.

“My aim was to be in the top five, but honestly I didn’t expect to finish third in the world in the Under-17s.”

For Martín, one of the key lessons from Ibiza was learning to manage the pressure and keep his cool at decisive moments. The podium places were decided on the final day, and keeping his nerves in check proved crucial.

He also highlights the extraordinary standard of a field that brought together some of the best international Wingfoil Race specialists, raising the bar considerably compared to other competitions in which he had taken part.

His next step will be to step up his physical training and maintain consistency in his training sessions, convinced that this is the key to continuing to improve.

Ángel Medina: an adaptation with an eye on 2027

Ángel Medina finished 13th overall in Ibiza, confirming his progress on the X-15 following a swift transition from the iQFOiL.

“I’m leaving Ibiza feeling that I competed exactly as I’d planned to, giving it my all from the start and race after race.”

The weather forecast had already warned him that the championship could be decided in a single day. He competed in two long-distance races, each lasting approximately 30 minutes, in winds of between 15 and 20 knots.

The overall assessment is positive, although he identifies areas for improvement, particularly his upwind posture and the set-up of the board to make better use of the foil’s power.

Medina considers the adjustments made over the last month to have been successful and highlights how physically good he feels on the water. He will therefore continue with the same approach next season.

He will continue to compete in the X-15 class, with two main objectives for 2027: the European Championships in October and the World Championships in November.