Sundby, Mikkola Join X-15 Worlds Athlete Q&A
Olympic medallists Siren Sundby and Monika Mikkola spoke with riders at the first X-15 World Championship in Ibiza.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Olympics
Olympic gold medallist Siren Sundby and Olympian Monika Mikkola joined riders for an athlete Q&A hosted by the X-15 Class Association at the first X-15 World Championship in Ibiza. The session came on a day when racing could not take place because of calm seas and no wind.
Why it matters
With racing halted for a third straight day, the Q&A and a pump foil demonstration gave riders structured time with Olympic-level athletes. The session shows how the class is building its competitive and mental-preparation resources as it stages its first world title event.
Riders were advised to practise time and distance in different wind conditions before the start, with pre-start markers at 10 and 5 seconds. Whether the weather allows the remaining races to be completed is not yet known.
The players
Siren Sundby
Norwegian Olympic gold medallist who spoke to X-15 riders about motivation and long-term goals during the athlete Q&A.
Monika Mikkola
Finnish Olympian who shared perspective with riders on life beyond competitive sailing during the athlete Q&A.
X-15 Class Association
The class body that organises the X-15 sailing class and hosted the first X-15 World Championship in Ibiza.
The details
The session covered starting techniques, physical preparation, goal setting, managing setbacks and retaining enjoyment. Sundby said four years is a long time to keep motivation going, while Mikkola said that whatever happens in sailing there is a whole other life.
Timeline
7 November 2026: Athlete Q&A held at the X-15 World Championship in Ibiza.
8 November 2026: Final day of racing and championship close, with the class celebrating its first world champions.
Season Trajectory
The first X-15 World Championship marks the class's move from regional competition to a world title with inaugural champions. Sundby's comments on sustaining motivation over four years mirror the Olympic cycle that many elite sailors use to plan their careers.
Riders in the class can use the advice on time-and-distance judgement in varied wind conditions to refine their pre-start positioning. The schedule confirms that the championship's final race day falls on 8 November 2026.
The takeaway
Preparation for the start, combined with a long-term view of motivation, appears central to the advice riders received. Sailors weighing a sustained campaign can take from the session that managing setbacks matters as much as technical skill.
What happens next
The championship closes with final racing on Sunday 8 November 2026, when the class crowns its first world champions.
Further reading
Explore more Olympics coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sail-world.
