2025 WASZP Games (Pre-Games Wrap Up)

PRESS RELEASE

Pre-Worlds Set the Pace: WASZP Class Roars into Weymouth Worlds

Weymouth, UK — July 18, 2025

As the world’s top foiling sailors prepare for the 2025 WASZP World Championship, this week’s Pre-Worlds event delivered everything it promised and more. With over 135 competitors from across the globe, this was the largest foiling dinghy warm-up event in history, offering a thrilling taste of the championship action to come.

Spain’s Pablo Astiazaran Pérez-Cela dominated the series, winning four of seven races and never placing outside the top three. His 13-point victory margin solidifies his status as the odds-on favorite going into the Worlds.

But North America is charging hard. Gavin “Malolo” Ball and Thomas “Stanford” Sitzmann finished second and third overall, each taking a race win and consistently posting top-five finishes. Andrew “Chizzy” Chisholm added to the North American momentum with a race win and a strong 7th-place finish, even after a final-race DNC.

“The” Pearl Lattanzi emerged as the top woman in the fleet. Her sights are set on bringing a WASZP World title back to Hawaii, and she’s clearly in top form.

The U21 North American team also made their mark. Ethan “Young Gun” Thompson finished 35th overall, and Adrian “Quebec” De Pas claimed 40th, an impressive feat given the size and depth of the fleet.

In a dramatic final twist, Jackson “Late to the party” Macaulay, despite missing most of the series, closed out the event with a second-place finish in the final race, underscoring the depth and unpredictability of this elite fleet.

All eyes now turn to Saturday, July 19, for the highly anticipated SailGP Inspire Finale “Women’s Qualifier”. Twenty-three of the best female foilers will battle through 10 intense races—five slalom, five T-course—for two golden tickets to the coveted 2026 SailGP Sydney Inspire Finale and a $10,000 prize.

Back on shore, the WASZP class once again demonstrated its unique culture of camaraderie and excellence. Even WASZP designer and class founder Andrew "Amac" McDougall was hands-on in the boat park, ensuring every rudder was tuned to perfection, a hallmark of the WASZP commitment to quality and community.

The 2025 WASZP Games are now set to begin. The stakes are sky-high. The talent pool is deeper than ever. And the race for the crown of the BIGGEST Foiling Fleet EVER is wide open.

 

RESULTS - https://www.sailwave.com/results/WPNSA/2025-WASZP_PreGames.htm

 

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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

 

Contact: WASZP Class Association
press@waszp.com
www.waszp.com