Morris ready to rumble at iQFOiL European Championships

Racing at the iQFOiL European Championships gets underway on 18 May in Portimão, Portugal, with Australia’s Grae Morris set to return to a venue that holds strong memories. 

Morris, a New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder claimed the iQFOiL Under 23 World Championship title at the same location last year and arrives in confident form following a strong start to the international season, including victory at French Olympic Week in Hyères. 

The south coast Portuguese venue is renowned for delivering a wide range of conditions. Portimão’s exposed coastline typically produces strong offshore and cross-shore winds, while onshore sea breezes can also develop, often creating a challenging and unpredictable sea state for the fleet. 

Off the back of his win at French Olympic Week, Morris is feeling well prepared. 

“I’ve been in Europe, doing a bit of training in Hyères, and then came over to the event site about a week and a bit ago,” said Morris. “I took a little bit of downtime with some cross-training and then jumped back into the fleet for some practice regattas and practice racing. 

“I’ve done my normal lead-up towards this event, which has been positive, and I’m looking forward to it starting.” 

Conditions-wise, he is not overthinking what may come. “I haven’t looked at the conditions,” explained Morris. “I’m approaching it more with a ‘you get what you get, and you don’t get upset’ mindset for this event. 

“I’ve just been focusing on going out, lining up with the top guys, and making sure I’m up to pace and across the full range. I’m excited to execute a good regatta. If I can do that, then I’ll be at the pointy end preparing for a tough but fun medal race, as per usual.” 

Morris will be joined by three other Australians in the men’s division, with rising star and U19 World Champion Rory Meehan another to watch. Australia also has two entries in the women’s division. 

Racing runs through to the weekend, with the medal series scheduled for 23 May, when the European Champions will be decided. 

The full list of entries can be found here. 

Images: Beau Outteridge