2025 Americas Championship
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 3, 2025
Kingston, ON
Ball Blazes Ahead in Kingston as Americas Championship Kicks Off with a Bang
KINGSTON, ON — The 2025 WASZP Americas Championship exploded out of the gates today with drama, speed, and rising tension as 19 of North America's best foilers squared off in near-perfect conditions. With four days of racing on tap, Day 1 set the tone for what’s shaping up to be a high-stakes battle for the title.
The day started right on schedule, with a steady 14-knot breeze that amped up to 17 knots by the afternoon, giving sailors all the horsepower they needed to light up the freshwater foiling track just off Portsmouth Olympic Harbour. A few passing rain systems danced to the south, adding some spice with shifting breezes but overall, the racetrack delivered the goods.
And it was none other than Gavin Ball, the No. 8-ranked WASZP sailor in the world and proud Hawaiian, who came out firing. With two bullets and two second-place finishes, Ball laid down an early marker, establishing himself as the man to beat with just four points after four races. The rest of the fleet has been put on notice.
Close behind, Kingston hometown favorite Andrew Chisholm showed composure and consistency, locking in a solid second place overall and ready to pounce on any mistake. Just a few points back, Tom Sitzmann looked strong early before failing to finish Race 4, but remains firmly in the hunt. Meanwhile, Ethan Thompson flew under the radar but stayed rock-steady with three third-place finishes, proving that consistency could be the secret weapon in this long championship.
Further down the leaderboard, international flair added spice to the mix. Sam Blouin (Connecticut) and Australia’s own Dan Haydenboth veteran warriors in the WASZP fleet—are still very much in striking distance, rounding out the top seven.
One of the more entertaining storylines of the day? The Toronto-based Bonin brothers, Will and Sam, are locked in a dead heat, tied on points after four races. Expect fireworks from this sibling showdown as the event unfolds.
On the women’s leaderboard, all eyes are on the developing duel between seasoned foiling athlete Lauren LaVenture and fast-rising newcomer Phoebe Chambers. LaVenture, with five years of foiling experience, holds a narrow lead, but Chambers—known for her work ethic and rapid improvement—has made it clear she's here to challenge for the crown.
Looking Ahead
With three more days of racing and strong, steady breeze in the forecast, the stage is set for more epic foiling battles in Kingston. The pressure is mounting, the rivalries are heating up, and the leaderboard is anything but settled.
Stay tuned—the WASZP Americas Championship has only just begun.
**Media Contact:**
Tyler Bjorn
FoilFast / WASZP USA
Tyler@WASZP.com
www.waszp.com
**#WASZPAmericas2025** | **#WeCANFoil** | #FoilFastOrFinishLast
To view the complete schedule, visit: https://racehub.waszp.com/events?region=Americas
To request a demo for your club or team, contact: Tyler Bjorn, North American Class Manager at tyler@waszp.com
To purchase a WASZP, find parts, register for an event, or inquire about dealer opportunities, visit www.foilfast.com
For more information on the SailGP Inspire Program and its initiatives, visit https://sailgp.com/general/purpose/better-sport.
About FOILFAST (Distributor)
FOILFAST is the exclusive North American distributor of the WASZP foiling dinghy and spare parts. Based in Annapolis, Maryland, FOILFAST is dedicated to expanding access to dinghy foiling across North America through event support, educational partnerships, and performance-driven community development.
Learn more at www.foilfast.com
About KA Sail (Manufacturer)
The WASZP was designed by Andrew “Amac” McDougall, a pioneering Australian sailor and naval architect with decades of experience in high-performance foiling. As the founder of KA Sail, McDougall has been a leading innovator in the foiling revolution, previously known for his performance Moth sails and rigs before launching the WASZP project. Frustrated by the high cost and complexity of foiling boats at the time, McDougall set out to design a single-handed, one-design foiler that would be fun, accessible, and built to last. The WASZP launched in 2016 to global acclaim, winning the Sailing World Boat of the Year and quickly establishing itself as the world’s leading entry-level foiling platform. With a growing international class, professional manufacturing, and strict one-design controls, KA Sail continues to manage and support WASZP production and global distribution from its headquarters in Melbourne, Australia.
For more information about KA Sail and the WASZP’s origin story, visit: https://waszp.com/about
About WeCANFoil (Supporter)
WeCANFoil is a Canadian-based initiative focused on making foiling accessible to sailors of all ages and skill levels across North America. Founded by passionate sailors and coaches, WeCANFoil blends cutting-edge equipment with expert instruction to introduce foiling in a safe, fun, and inclusive environment. Through community outreach, sailing school partnerships, and hands-on coaching clinics, WeCANFoil has played a pivotal role in developing the next generation of foiling talent. By leveraging the WASZP as its primary training platform, the organization offers a clear and inspiring pathway from beginner foiling to high-level competition—including SailGP Inspire, Olympic development programs, and international racing opportunities.
For more information about WeCANFoil and its programs, visit: https://wecanfoil.org
About US Sailing (Supporter)
US Sailing is the national governing body for the sport of sailing in the United States, recognized by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and World Sailing. Headquartered in Bristol, Rhode Island, US Sailing’s mission is to increase sailing participation and excellence through education, competition, and athlete development. From grassroots programs and instructor certifications to Olympic training and international representation, US Sailing plays a vital role in shaping the future of American sailing. Through partnerships with innovative classes like the WASZP and youth-focused initiatives such as the Olympic Development Program (ODP) US Sailing is helping to modernize the sport and prepare young athletes to excel on the world stage.
To learn more about US Sailing’s programs and impact, visit: https://www.ussailing.org
About Vakaros (Technology Partner)
Vakaros is a technology company at the forefront of performance sailing innovation, known for developing advanced onboard electronics that help sailors of all levels make smarter decisions on the water. Headquartered in the United States, Vakaros combines cutting-edge sensors, precision GPS, and user-friendly interfaces in products like the Atlas and Atlas 2—widely adopted by elite foiling sailors, Olympic campaigners, and one-design racers around the world. Committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in high-performance sailing, Vakaros partners with leading classes such as the WASZP to deliver real-time data, performance tracking, and intuitive analytics. These tools not only elevate individual performance but also drive class-wide development by making training and racing more accessible, measurable, and competitive.
For more information about Vakaros and its products, visit: https://www.vakaros.com
About SailSync (Technology Partner)
SailSync.ai is a pioneering platform harnessing artificial intelligence to streamline communication, coordination, and logistics for sailing teams, coaches, and regatta organizers. Designed by sailors for sailors, SailSync.ai helps reduce administrative burden and increase operational efficiency by automating scheduling, signups, messaging, and performance tracking—all in one easy-to-use interface. Rapidly gaining adoption across North America, SailSync.ai is especially valuable to foiling classes and development teams, where fast-paced schedules and evolving training needs require seamless information flow. By supporting the WASZP Class and initiatives like America One Racing, SailSync.ai is playing a key role in empowering teams to focus less on logistics and more on performance.
To learn more about SailSync.ai and how it’s transforming team coordination in sailing, visit: https://www.sailsync.ai
About Zhik (Clothing Sponsor)
Zhik is a global leader in performance sailing apparel, renowned for its innovative, high-tech gear designed for the most demanding conditions on and off the water. Born from Olympic campaigns and tested at the highest levels of competitive sailing, Zhik products are trusted by elite athletes, weekend racers, and foiling enthusiasts around the world. With a focus on comfort, durability, and cutting-edge materials, Zhik has become the go-to brand for sailors pushing the limits of performance—including those in the fast-paced world of foiling. As an official supporter of the WASZP Class, Zhik continues to outfit sailors with the technical gear they need to train, race, and win—whether it's at youth qualifiers or world championship regattas.
For more about Zhik’s full line of sailing apparel, visit: https://www.zhik.com