PEARL LATTANZI - HAWAII'S DIFFERENT PATH TO A WASZP WORLD TITLE

Hawaii has always developed sailors its own way—by chasing what makes the sport fun and addictive for young people. That culture shaped American foiler Pearl Lattanzi, who began in O’pen Bic (now Open Skiff), crossed into the WASZP alongside a cohort of Hawaiians, and learned to turn “undersized” into “undeterred.” By 2025 in Weymouth, she had become the first American woman to win a WASZP world title, a triumph built on community, method, and an unwavering declaration of intent.

Roots, Community, and a Turning Point

Lattanzi’s first spin on a WASZP came in 2018, it was love at first flight, followed by a formative trip to Foiling Week Lake Garda in 2019. She was still learning the WASZP, so the result sheet didn’t matter; the revelation did. Hawaii’s village took it from there.

“My mom was huge for our WASZP fleet, really forward-thinking,” Pearl says. “We had a progressive mindset from the start, and I’m so thankful for it.”

Through the early 2020s, opportunities widened, especially with the America’s Cup opening Women’s and Youth pathways. The AC37 tryout process with American Magic didn’t end in selection, but it elevated her standards and network. More importantly, late 2023 brought A1R (America One Racing) structure to the islands: regular camps, elite guidance, and a clear runway to world-class preparation.

Saying the Goal Out Loud

The 2024 WASZP Games in Norway sharpened her focus. The Norwegian women swept the podium; Lattanzi was the fourth woman. She flew home certain of one thing.

“After Norway 2024, I told my mom, I’m going to be the world champion in 2025. Saying it out loud lifted my confidence—and I worked to make it real.”

A1R connected her with Anna Tunnicliffe, a two-time Olympian, 2008 gold medalist, and CrossFit phenom. Anna crafted Pearl’s program holistically. Nutrition, strength, and race coaching aligned with the reality of a 5'1" sailor competing in mixed fleets where heavier sailors often hold an advantage in strong winds.

Heavier wind + heavier sailor = more boat speed.

The target: add muscle and strategic body mass, sharpen boat speed, and race to her strengths—positioning, clear air, and decision-making.

The European Tune-Up and a Sprint Statement

Logistics kept her off the boat for a month before Lake Garda 2025, with only a single tune-up sail the day prior to reset her feel. The opening races were about shaking off rust, but Garda did its job—helping her find rhythm again. With proper preparation for French Nationals, the pieces began to align.

By the time she arrived early in Weymouth, European acclimation complete, she was ready. Pre-Worlds fell into place, a crucial confidence boost, before attention shifted to the Women’s Sprint Worlds, slotted neatly between Pre-Worlds and the main event.

The Women’s Sprint Championship drew 26 international sailors, all chasing just two coveted berths for the Sprint Grand Finale in February 2026. By the end of day one, it was clear the battle would come down to Pearl and Australia’s Nina Ferguson.

Pearl kept it simple, relying on the lessons and strategies honed throughout the year. Sticking to her game plan, she stayed composed and finished the opening day on top of the leaderboard.

“I ran the same start pattern every race, kept it simple, and it worked.”

With that consistency and against a charging Ferguson, Lattanzi closed out the Sprint crown and the ticket to the SailGP-style Grand Final in Sydney. It wasn’t the year’s primary target, but it proved her process under pressure.

Gold Fleet, Clear Air, and Composure

Only four women qualified for Gold Fleet at the WASZP Games. In the mixed fleet, the lighter sailor’s playbook demands immaculate positioning and a refusal to get rolled. Lattanzi executed.

With Tunnicliffe quietly handling the points math, Pearl focused on starts, lanes, and decisions. As the races thinned and the lead stretched, the approach never changed: no heroics, just finish well.

The winning moment remains vivid.

“Crossing the line, it didn’t feel real. Anna came over with the American flag with the Hawaiian flag on the bottom. Representing Hawaii, Kāne‘ohe YC, and A1R was incredible.”

The Habits Behind the Headlines

Back home, she decompressed with family and folded in wing-foiling as joyful cross-training that keeps her sailing fresh. Her process is simple, disciplined, and teachable: debriefs, basic data collection, and relentless note-taking.

“Write everything down: sail settings, ride height, pitch. If you can replicate what works, you’ll keep improving.”

What Comes Next

Pearl’s arc now points toward Pensacola 2026, where she intends to defend her title, with A1R’s annual October camp at Pensacola Yacht Club set to restart the engine. The America’s Cup Women’s/Youth pathways could open again for 2027; she’s building the versatility to be ready on an AC40 or a WASZP start line.

Hawaii’s different pathway is fun-first, community-driven, and quietly rigorous which has produced a world champion. Lattanzi’s blueprint shows how: speak the goal, build the team, do the work, and keep the sport joyful enough to want to do it again tomorrow.

Congratulations, Pearl—the North American Swarm is proud of you!