AMERICANS CLAIM 2026 WASZP GAMES TITLES
FINAL RESULTS FROM PENSACOLA AS AMERICANS CLAIM
2026 WASZP GAMES TITLES
Pensacola delivered exactly what a championship should.
After five days and 18 races, the 2026 WASZP Games came down to execution under pressure, with shifting conditions, tight margins, and a final stretch that demanded everything from the fleet.
And when it mattered most, the Americans delivered.
Gavin Ball and Pearl Lattanzi stand as 2026 WASZP Games Champions, marking the first time the United States has claimed both titles at a single Games. It is a milestone moment for the Class in North America and a clear signal of where the pathway is heading.
The final two days told the story.
Day 4 reshaped the regatta. Pensacola Bay turned tactical, with subdued and unstable breeze forcing sailors to move away from pure speed and into survival mode. The ability to link pressure across the course became decisive, and consistency, which had been difficult to find all week, suddenly became everything. Even the most experienced sailors saw their scorelines climb as the margins tightened and the fleet compressed.
In the 8.2 fleet, Gavin Ball stepped back into control. Capitalizing on an off day from Thomas Sitzmann, he reestablished himself at the top of the leaderboard heading into the final day. Behind him, the pressure intensified. Spain’s Pablo Astiazaran stayed consistent while Antonio Gasperini delivered one of the standout performances of the regatta, firing multiple race wins to force his way into contention. Casey Small remained within striking distance, closing the gap and keeping the podium firmly in play.
On the women’s side, Pearl Lattanzi stayed in the fight despite a mixed day, keeping herself in position as the leaderboard tightened around her. The stage was set for a final day where nothing would be given and everything would have to be earned.
Day 5 delivered that final test.
Stronger breeze brought a different challenge, rewarding sailors who could combine speed with control under pressure. There were no easy races left, no opportunities to recover, and no room for error.
Gavin Ball rose to the moment.
Combining composure with consistency, he secured his first WASZP Games title, breaking through after years of pushing at the top level. His ability to manage the fleet across a full range of conditions defined the championship and confirmed his place at the front of the international fleet.
The fight for second came down to the final race. Antonio Gasperini and Pablo Astiazaran entered the race tied on points and delivered a fitting finish, rounding the final mark first and second before Gasperini held on to claim silver with Astiazaran in bronze. It was a finish that reflected the depth and intensity of the fleet all week.
In the women’s championship, Pearl Lattanzi delivered a performance that matched the moment.
In control when it mattered most, she closed out the regatta with authority to defend her title on home water. Behind her, Annie Sitzmann secured second, while the battle for third remained open deep into the final day before Spain’s Sol Lopez Navarro claimed the final podium position.
Together, Ball and Lattanzi made history.
Both sailors come out of the North American pathway, with strong ties to the development system that continues to expand across the United States and Canada. Their success reflects not only individual performance, but a broader progression that is now producing results at the highest level of the sport.
From High School and College sailors entering the fleet, to HUB based training environments, to national race team development supported by America One Racing, the system is no longer building toward something. It is delivering, with the next generation already out there putting in the time. Now is the moment to find a HUB and join them.
Pensacola proved to be the right stage. Challenging, unpredictable, and ultimately decisive, it tested every aspect of modern dinghy foiling and rewarded those who could adapt and execute.
Five days. Eighteen races. A global fleet.
And at the top, North America delivered.