The WASZP Regional Qualifiers Are Underway
TWO COASTS - ONE GOAL
THE WASZP REGIONAL QUALIFIERS ARE UNDERWAY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Racing is underway today and tomorrow as the WASZP High School & College Regional Qualifiers open on opposite coasts of North America. As the first step toward the inaugural WASZP High School & College National Championships, this opening weekend marks an important moment in the evolution of school-based foiling competition in the United States.
With national berths at stake, the early-season qualifiers have attracted a wide cross-section of the WASZP community. Across both venues, the fleets reflect the growing depth of the class, blending experienced WASZP sailors, collegiate programs, and high school athletes entering structured foiling competition for the first time.
Region 1 – West Coast
Coronado Yacht Club | Coronado, California
On the West Coast, racing at Coronado Yacht Club is unfolding in the South Bay, where consistent breeze and open water create classic foiling conditions. Among those lining up on the starting line are Point Loma High School sailors Braden Ozarski and Kevin Cason, both recently returning from the World Sailing Youth Championships, now turning their attention to WASZP competition.
They are joined by a broader group of West Coast sailors that includes experienced fleet regulars such as Los Angeles-based WASZP competitor Theo Goodman, now more than two years into the class, and Marina del Rey sailor Julian Yao. The field also features visiting sailors from outside Southern California, including competitors traveling from Hawaii as part of a wider contingent pursuing qualification for the National Championships.
Region 2 – Southeast
US Sailing Center of Martin County | Jensen Beach, Florida
At the US Sailing Center of Martin County in Jensen Beach, the Southeast Regional Qualifier is taking place at the heart of the WASZP North American Winter Base, a venue that has become a focal point for foiling development over the winter months.
The Southeast fleet brings together a mix of collegiate sailors, established WASZP racers, and emerging high school athletes. Among those competing is Ghislaine Van Empel of the University of South Florida, racing under the guidance of coach Alison Jolly, 1988 Olympian. A strong College of Charleston presence is also part of the field, with sailors including Maddie Anderson, Pierce and Flynn Olsen, and Bryce Huntoon contending for qualification.
High school sailors are equally represented, with athletes such as James Pine stepping into the WASZP environment this weekend as part of a larger group of youth competitors testing themselves against mixed-age, mixed-experience fleets. Event support at Jensen Beach is led by Agustín Ferrario of WeCANFoil, reinforcing the connection between the Qualifiers, the Winter Base training program, and the broader WASZP pathway.
A Weekend That Fits Into Something Bigger
What distinguishes these Regional Qualifiers is not just the racing taking place this weekend, but the system they connect to. For many sailors, these events represent their first opportunity to compete for national recognition within a strict one-design foiling class while representing their school. For others, the Qualifiers are another step within a development pathway that already includes winter training, regional racing, and international competition.
At Jensen Beach in particular, the overlap is visible on and off the water. Sailors racing today are doing so at the same venue where athletes from across North America have trained throughout the winter, sharing coaching resources, performance benchmarks, and racing expectations that carry forward into the championship season.
“The depth we’re seeing at these qualifiers is a reflection of how quickly the class is maturing,” said Tyler Bjorn, WASZP North America Class Manager. “Not every sailor here is on the same timeline, and that’s exactly the point. Some are just stepping into foiling competition, others are already looking toward the international stage—but they’re all operating within the same framework.”
Racing Continues Through Tomorrow
Racing at both venues continues through tomorrow, with the top three high school sailors and top three college sailors from each region advancing toward the WASZP High School & College National Championships. As results are decided, the first pieces of the inaugural National Championship fleet will begin to take shape.
Additional Regional Qualifiers will follow this spring in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions, continuing to build toward a national championship that reflects the growing scale and structure of foiling in the United States.
For updates, results, and pathway information, visit foilfast.com.