2025 US Nationals

 

WASZP US Nationals Showcase Growth of Foiling at Severn Sailing Association

Hosted in Partnership with Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series – May 2–4, 2025

Annapolis, MD — May 6, 2025 — This past weekend, the WASZP North American Class came together for one of its premier events of the year: the 2025 WASZP US Nationals, held at the Severn Sailing Association in Annapolis, Maryland, as part of the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series. Led by North American Class Manager Tyler Bjorn, the event marked a milestone in the continued expansion of dinghy foiling across the continent.

The three-day regatta featured twelve races over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with challenging but fair conditions allowing sailors to test their skills across a range of wind speeds. The races were professionally managed by PRO Greg Cukor of Severn Sailing Association, whose steady hand and commitment to quality racing helped ensure a successful event.

First Place - Gavin Ball (18 points)
Second Place - Pearl Lattanzi (29 points)
Third Place - Zach Severson (43 points)

The 2025 WASZP US Nationals also served as the official US qualifier for the SailGP Inspire Racing WASZP program, SailGP’s global youth development initiative designed to bridge the gap between grassroots sailing and professional foiling. This collaboration underscores the shared mission of both organizations to provide young sailors with pathways to elite competition.

After a weekend of high-caliber racing, Gavin Ball emerged as the top U.S. Qualifier. Ball, who previously won the SailGP Inspire Grand Final in San Francisco, will now represent the United States at the SailGP Inspire Grand Final in Sydney, Australia, in February 2026. His selection highlights the effectiveness of the WASZP class in preparing sailors for the demands of international foiling competition.

“SailGP Inspire allows young athletes to engage with and learn from people at the sport's highest level,” said Ball. “Programs like this are great opportunities for discovering the next generation of sailing talent.”

The Class is deeply grateful for the support and vision of Sarah Renz and the entire Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series team, whose collaboration made it possible for the WASZP fleet to join such a prestigious multi-class event.

In addition to tight, one-design fleet racing, the Nationals featured top-tier coaching and support from an incredible lineup of sailing leaders:

• Tyler Bjorn, North American Class Manager and Olympic sailor served as Green Fleet Coach and on-site Class Representative
• Anna Tunnicliffe, Grant Spanhake and Leandro Spina of America One Racing & Quantum Racing supported the performance fleet
• Agustin Ferrario, Director of WeCANFoil, brought his high level coaching expertise to both newer and experienced foilers as well as leadership of the U21 North American Race Team

The event also marked a turning point in the integration of performance technology and data-driven coaching into the class. With the help of Vakaros digital instruments and SailSync analytics, competitors received real-time feedback and professional-level data review to aid their development.

"This is the kind of collaboration and structure that shows how strong the future of dinghy foiling is in North America," said Bjorn. "We’re not just racing—we’re building a foundation that develops world-class sailors and fosters community at every level."

"The collaboration between America One Racing and the WASZP Class is an exciting opportunity to raise the level of competitive youth sailing in the United States," said Leandro Spina. "By combining elite coaching, accessible technology, and a dynamic one-design platform like the WASZP, we are equipping the next generation with the tools and experience they need to succeed on the international stage."

The WASZP US Nationals in Annapolis were part of a broader 2025 North American calendar that includes high-profile events like the North Americans in Pensacola, the ACCs in Tom's River, and the WASZP Games in Weymouth, England. Full calendar details can be found on RaceHub.

For more information on the WASZP North American Class, upcoming events, or how to get involved, contact Tyler Bjorn, North American Class President, at tyler@waszp.com 

Link to Race Results: https://www.yachtscoring.com/event_results_cumulative/16896 

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 America One Racing (Supporter)
America One Racing is a high-performance sailing development organization committed to elevating the standard of competitive sailing in the United States. Originally founded by Paul Cayard, America One has evolved into a cutting-edge platform for youth and Olympic-level athletes, providing world-class coaching, logistical support, and access to top-tier racing campaigns. With a mission to rebuild the United States’ prominence on the international sailing stage, America One Racing supports a pipeline of talented sailors—from junior classes to Olympic hopefuls—by fostering innovation, teamwork, and excellence. Through strategic partnerships with classes like the WASZP, America One Racing is expanding its impact on foiling development and modern skill-building, preparing the next generation of U.S. athletes to compete and win at the highest levels.

To learn more about America One Racing, visit: https://americaoneracing.org

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

WASZP Digital Media (Public Use)
Link to logo files and general photos and video