The inaugural WASZP All-Stars Invitational in Pensacola, Florida, concluded with Australia’s Louis Tilly and America’s Pearl Lattanzi being crowned the first-ever champions. Held just before the 2026 WASZP Games, the elite, invitation-only event featured 15 of the world’s top foiling sailors—eight men and seven women—competing in high-intensity sprint races. The regatta was defined by a “no-discard” format, meaning every single race result counted toward the final score, placing a massive premium on consistency and mental fortitude under pressure.
Key Highlights of the Event
- The Winners: Australia’s Louis Tilly staged a dramatic final-day comeback to win the Men’s title, while Pearl Lattanzi (USA) maintained her Day 1 dominance to secure the Women’s crown. Each took home a US$5,000 prize.
- Championship Conditions: The final day featured “champagne” sailing conditions with a punctual, high-velocity breeze that allowed for spectacular high-speed foiling.
- Men’s Fleet Drama: The Men’s division saw diverse race winners, including Pablo Astiazaran (Spain), Gavin Ball (USA), and Hippolyte Gruet (FRA). Tilly clinched the title by winning the final two races of the regatta.
- Women’s Fleet Dominance: Pearl Lattanzi used her experience as the 2025 WASZP Games champion to build an insurmountable lead, despite strong challenges from Bridget Conrad (AUS) and Grace Poole (CAN).
- Innovative Format: The event utilized a variety of course styles, including Slalom, SailGP-style, and Distance courses, designed to test the versatility of the athletes.
- Professional Pathway: Hosted at the American Magic performance and innovation center, the event serves as a stepping stone for young talent toward professional leagues like SailGP.
The “Swarm” of WASZP sailors now remains in Pensacola for the 2026 WASZP Games, scheduled for March 22nd–28th, which is expected to be the largest one-design foiling event in North American history.
The 2026 International WASZP Games are set to be a historic milestone for the class, marking the first time the world championship has been held in North America. Hosted by the Pensacola Yacht Club from March 22nd to 28th, the event is expected to feature the largest foiling fleet ever assembled in the Americas. Following the high-stakes All-Stars Invitational, the Games will transition into a massive community-driven festival of foiling, bringing together elite professionals, Olympic hopefuls, and passionate amateurs for a week of high-speed racing on the “emerald waters” of Pensacola Bay.
Event Schedule & Format
The Games are structured to maximize the reliable thermal breezes of the Gulf Coast, with racing typically held in 3-to-5-hour windows.
- March 22–23: Equipment inspection, registration, and official measurement.
- March 23: Opening Ceremony at the American Magic High Performance Center.
- March 24–28: Championship racing across various formats, including:
- Qualifying & Finals: Fleet racing to determine the overall world champions.
- Slalom/Sprint Racing: Short, high-intensity knockout rounds.
- Distance Race: A long-course endurance test across Pensacola Bay.
- March 28: Prize-giving ceremony and the final closing party.
Key Details & Participants
- The Venue: Pensacola has become a global foiling hub, serving as the home base for American Magic (USA’s America’s Cup team) and a training center for SailGP.
- Special Guest: Andrew McDougall, the Australian designer and founder of the WASZP class, will be in attendance and may even join the fleet for racing.
- Women’s Championship: A major focus this year is the Women’s WASZP Games title, which will be contested specifically using the 7.5m rig to foster competitive parity and growth in the female fleet.
- Athletes to Watch:
- Pearl Lattanzi (USA): The 2025 World Champion looking to defend her title on home waters.
- Gavin Ball (USA): A local favorite and three-time Americas Champion.
- Pablo Astiazaran (Spain): The 2025 runner-up seeking the top spot.
- Louis Tilly (Australia): Entering with massive momentum after winning the All-Stars Invitational this week.
- Divisions: Prizes will be awarded across multiple categories, including Junior (U19), Youth (U21), Apprentice, Masters, and Super Masters (50+).
The “Swarm” of over 100 boats is currently preparing at the Pensacola Yacht Club. Would you like me to look up the specific weather forecast for the opening days of racing or find the full entry list for a specific country?
Visit WASZP official website for more information
