Swiss windsurf sensation Elia Colombo (SUI-63)—an Olympian from the Paris 2024 Games, where he finished 7th in the iQFOiL class—recently ventured down under for a taste of Western Australia’s renowned wave sailing conditions. Elia was Invited by his sponsor, Patrik Windsurf International—whose home base is located in Margaret River. Colombo seized the opportunity to both train and compete in local events. While visiting, he received a special invitation to enter the Royal Perth Yacht Club (RPYC) Refined Edge Mini Series 2025.
The Open Windfoil division at RPYC instantly transformed into a masterclass for local sailors, as the accomplished athlete not only raced on his brand-new Patrik iQFOiL board paired with an 8m Patrik iQFOiL sail but also generously offered on- and off-water coaching to the young, emerging Perth foilers.
From the outset, Colombo displayed the skill and finesse that have become his trademark on the international stage. Though he dominated the field by winning nearly every race, one standout moment came when he crossed the line early in a start. Forced to re-cross and restart, Colombo demonstrated sportsmanship by acknowledging the error and returning to the start line—an incident that gave a young RPYC foiler, Aiden Grove, the chance to secure a thrilling race victory.
Despite this minor setback, Colombo comfortably claimed first place overall in the Open Windfoil division. Beyond his impressive performance, the Swiss athlete spent time with local youth sailors from RPYC, Fremantle Sailing Club (FSC), and Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (RFBYC), providing invaluable advice on board setup, foil tuning, and racecourse tactics. His presence sparked a wave of inspiration for Perth’s windsurfing community, underscoring the significance of strong international ties in fostering talent development.
Below are the provisional results for the Refined Edge Mini Series 2025 as of 17:36 on February 9, 2025. The regatta consisted of nine races, with two discards, and 14 total entries in the Open Windfoil division, with a large number of sailors competing on iQFOiL Youth equipment.
Refined Edge Mini Series 2025 Results
Royal Perth Yacht Club
Results are provisional. For additional details, please visit: www.rpyc.com.au/on-the-water/sailing/miniseries/
Photo Credit Isobel Murray (RPYC Marketing)
ETHAN CROSS – BOATING ADMINISTRATION OFFICER, Royal Perth Yacht Club
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