Lina Eržen claimed the IFCA Foiling European Championship title in Sankt Peter-Ording, Germany. Racing in challenging conditions and on the Starboard X-15, Lina delivered a strong and consistent performance to secure the European crown. We caught up with her after the event to talk about the victory, racing the X-15 and her goals for the season ahead.

Congratulations on your victory at the IFCA Foiling European Championships! How does this result feel, and what does it mean to you personally?

"It's always special to win an event, especially a European Championship. For me, this was a great way to start the season and it gave me a lot of confidence and motivation to keep working hard for the competitions ahead."

This was one of your first major events on the all-new Starboard X-15. What were your first impressions of the board, and what gave you the most confidence throughout the competition?

"I immediately felt comfortable on the new X-15. The board was easy to get going on, and from the first races I noticed how stable it felt. That stability gave me more confidence to push harder, especially at high speed, and helped me maintain better end speed throughout the races."

The new X-15 has been refined for more speed, control and consistency. Were there any moments during the event where you really felt those improvements made a difference?

"The conditions in Sankt Peter-Ording were challenging, with a lot of chop and waves. Those are the kinds of conditions where control is really important. The X-15 stayed stable and easy to handle, even in stronger winds and at high speeds, which allowed me to stay focused on racing instead of fighting the equipment."

Every championship comes with its challenges. What was the toughest part of the event, and how did you stay focused to achieve this result?

"The changing conditions made every race different, so staying consistent was probably the biggest challenge. I tried to stay calm, focus on getting good starts, and keep my speed throughout each race. Taking it one race at a time really helped me stay focused."

Looking ahead, what are your goals for the rest of the season? And what would you say to racers considering the new Starboard X-15?

"My main goal is to compete in the upcoming PWA Foil Slalom events and fight for the overall title. For anyone considering the new X-15, I would say it's a board that gives you a lot of confidence. It's fast, stable, and easy to control, which lets you focus on racing and pushing your limits."

With a European title already secured, Lina now turns her focus towards the upcoming PWA Foil Slalom events, with her sights set on fighting for the overall title. A strong start to the season, a successful first major test for the new X-15, and plenty more racing still to come. Congratulations, Lina!