Two Big Weekends for WASZP Racing in Annapolis

TWO BIG WEEKENDS FOR WASZP RACING
IN ANNAPOLIS WRAP UP

Annapolis delivered two outstanding back to back weekends of WASZP racing, bringing together youth sailors, top fleet talent, and the growing North American pathway in a way that continues to define the Class’s momentum heading into the 2026 season.

High School & College Qualifiers at Severn Sailing Association

On April 25 and 26, Severn Sailing Association hosted the Region 4 High School & College Qualifier, a key step in the pathway to the National Championship in Toms River at the end of May.

Across 11 competitive races, sailors battled through a full range of conditions while sharpening their skills in a one fleet format that emphasizes both consistency and performance. At the end of the weekend, Jack Deblinger, Halsey Carter, and Daniel Draper secured qualification for Nationals, earning their place to represent their schools on the biggest stage.

Coaching for the weekend was led by Owen Hennessey, who also served as PRO. The format delivered exactly what the pathway is designed to achieve: high volume racing, clear decision making on the water, and immediate feedback off it. The result was a weekend that balanced development and competition in equal measure.

Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta at Annapolis Yacht Club

Just days later, the fleet reconvened for the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta from May 1 through 3, stepping into a larger, more open regatta environment while maintaining the same intensity on the water.

Ethan Thompson, Daniel Draper, and Shane Kilberg finished on the podium, demonstrating both depth and consistency across a demanding 16 race series.

Coaching was led by Agustin Ferrario, Head Coach for the North American WASZP Race Teams, who guided the fleet through one of the most memorable regatta weekends Annapolis has seen in recent years.

Friday set the tone. Flat water and 14 to 16 knots of breeze created near perfect foiling conditions, allowing for nine races in what can only be described as champagne sailing. The pace was relentless. By the end of the day, sailors were exhausted, but no one wanted to come ashore.

Saturday shifted gears. Lighter breeze through the afternoon meant a premium on strategy and positioning, with four tightly contested races in the morning followed by a well earned fleet reset that included a BBQ and time for boat work.

Sunday brought breeze again, with gusts pushing over 20 knots in the morning. The race committee found a window around midday to complete three final races, closing out a regatta that tested every aspect of the sailors’ skill sets.

Technology Driving Performance

Both regattas made full use of the Vakaros Atlas 2 system, which continues to elevate the racing experience across the Class. Starts were consistently clean and fair, allowing races to get underway efficiently and with confidence across the fleet.

Post race, detailed debriefs powered by SailSync.ai gave sailors immediate access to data and insights, reinforcing one of the defining advantages of the WASZP Class: the ability to combine high performance racing with real time learning.

Access and Support Across the Class

A key part of what made these two weekends successful is the structure behind them. The WASZP Class continues to provide charters and coaching at events across North America, lowering the barrier to entry and making it easy for sailors to step into the fleet. Whether you are new to dinghy foiling or pushing for podium finishes, the ability to show up, charter a boat, and plug into a coached environment is becoming a consistent and reliable part of the experience.

What’s Next

The momentum now shifts to the next major event: the Atlantic Coast Championships in Toms River. This regatta has become one of the most fun and challenging weekends on the calendar, backed by an excellent race committee and a highly supportive club environment.

Sailors can fly in and charter a boat at reasonable, subsidized rates, with Vakaros Atlas 2 units also available for charter. It is a simple, accessible way to step into high level racing without the complexity of travel logistics.

Come out and sail.