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Morris triumphs at iQFOiL International Games

Olympic sailor and New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) athlete Grae Morris has stormed to victory in round two of the iQFOiL International Games in Cadiz, Spain, claiming his first major international win.

Taking on a stacked fleet of 74 top-tier sailors, Morris was in a league of his own, winning an incredible 11 of 15 qualifying races to secure pole position heading into the Grand Final.

The event was marked by some of the most extreme wind and wave conditions ever faced in an iQFOiL regatta. Throughout the week, competitors battled through brutal winds and towering swells, pushing both their skills and equipment to the limit.

Despite the chaos, Morris remained composed, showcasing his ability to handle high-pressure racing in some of the most challenging conditions seen in the class.

The medal series followed a new format, where the first competitor to win two races secured the overall regatta victory. As the series leader entering the final, Morris was granted one automatic win, meaning he only needed to win one race to claim the title.

The first race saw Morris comfortably in the lead until a crash at the top mark cost him the win.

The second race was just as dramatic with Dutch sailor Max Castelein looking poised to take it, but a last-minute crash opened the door for Morris, who seized the moment to secure his second win and claim the championship.

“It was a fun medal race series, learning the different format,” Morris reflected.

“I got a taste of losing and then got lucky in the second one.”

:I’m pretty happy I got another chance after I crashed out – it was a good day.”

“Other than the Olympics, that was the most fun I’ve had in a medal race. Everyone gets a chance, and I’m loving the new format,” he added.

Morris’ coach, Arthur Brett was equally pleased with the result.

“Grae was in good form this week, and we are invested in what lies ahead,” Brett said.

“From my perspective, it was great to get the European part of the Olympic quad underway. It’s still early in the campaign, and we will learn a lot more in the coming regattas.”

“Our training is pretty isolated from the rest of the world, so it’s nice to have some validation of where we are at,” Brett said of his training with Morris.

“It has been fantastic having an Aussie squad training with Grae at home,” he added.

The next stop on the calendar is the Trofeo Princesa Sofía Regatta in Palma, Mallorca. Running from 31^st March to 5^th April, the event marks the first Sailing Grand Slam of the season, where a strong Australian contingent is set to hit the start line across the Olympic classes.