2025 Americas (Day 2)

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WASZP Americas Championship – Day 2 Recap

Kingston Delivers: Tight Racing, Big Moves, and One Dominant Force

Kingston, ON – July 4, 2025

You couldn’t script a better day for foiling. Kingston once again lived up to its legendary status with classic southwest breeze and blue skies, a perfect playground for high-octane WASZP racing. Day 2 of the WASZP Americas Championship saw the fleet flow into action after a patient and tactical call by the race committee. Waiting for the breeze to build was the right move. By 1:00 p.m., the wind filled in to a steady 14+ knots, and the games were on.

“The patience was impressive, and it really made the difference in executing an amazing second day,” said Tyler Bjorn. “My hat goes off to the whole race committee crew.”

That patience and execution are no accident,  they’re the product of careful leadership and forward-thinking development happening at CORK. The venue isn’t just keeping up, it’s leading the charge.

“It’s a real testament to the Americas OA Sue Fraser,” added Bjorn. “She’s brought together such a great cast of characters with race management experience, while also pushing new technologies forward, like robotic marks, that are bringing CORK into the future of sailing.”

On shore, the commitment to innovation was on full display. RaceSense guru Nicholas Draper led a hands-on session, walking the team through usage and adaptability of the system in real time.

“Nicholas was leading the charge, putting everybody through the process,” said Bjorn, “and you can feel this technology is ready to take the next step, and CORK is ready with it.”

Four races, full send, no wasted time.

And leading the charge on the water? Gavin Ball. The Hawaiian phenom reminded everyone why he’s ranked top 10 in the world, putting the fleet on notice with a strong performance, 4th followed by three consecutive bullets. Ball has built a commanding lead, sailing with purpose, precision, and a clear eye on Worlds.

“He’s not just here to race, he’s here to dominate,” said one coach onshore.

But the story of the day was the ferocious fight behind him.

Ethan Thompson stormed onto the scene with a fiery 1-2-2 to catapult into second overall, tied on points with the ever-consistent Tom Sitzmann, who kept it clean with three thirds and a second. Just one point back sits hometown hero Andrew “Chizzy” Chisholm, quietly building a strong campaign and biding his time for a knockout punch.

And then there’s the “King of Fifth,” Adrien DePas, Quebec’s finest, holding steady once again and flying the Canadian colors high.

Veterans Sam Blouin, Will Bonin, Sam Bonin, and Dan Hayden are lurking just outside the top five, trading blows and keeping the younger sailors honest.

“It’s just really impressive how quickly the fleet gets into action,” Bjorn noted. “When the race committee sets the course and drops the D flag, they all come out systematically, quickly, and are ready to race in such a short time. It’s amazing how this class has transformed the style of sailing. It’s no longer an all-day affair waiting for wind, it’s about maximizing a two-hour window and getting four or five races done. It’s incredible.”

In the women’s division, the rivalry has ignited but what’s even more inspiring is the genuine support and camaraderie across the group. Whether it’s tuning tips onshore, cheers during races, or regrouping after tough moments, the energy in this part of the fleet is undeniable.

Phoebe came back swinging, matching scores with Lauren Laventure, who’s showing her grit and experience in every race. The two are tied heading into Day 3, and it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top.

“These women are fearless, supportive, and totally locked in,” said Bjorn. “You can feel the encouragement from the group  and the racing intensity is real. It’s just one more reason this class is so awesome.”

Off the water, the camaraderie was as strong as the wind. From Spikeball showdowns to dockside tuning sessions and post-race debriefs, this fleet continues to prove why WASZP sailing is the future: fast boats, tight racing, and even tighter community.

“After watching them compete all summer,” said Bjorn, “the execution of starts and tight racing is on another level. While a few may be more dominant, the fleet is so compact that most races finish within four minutes of each other. And watching the convergence at the first leeward gate seeing 10 boats roll in within 15-20 seconds, it’s a testament to how far the fleet has come. It’s just fun to see the improvements.”

Up Next: Day 3. The forecast? More southwesterly magic. Another 15 knots expected. Another battle brewing.

But the question remains:

Can anyone stop Gavin Ball?

Stay tuned. The Americas Championship is heating up.