WASZP GAMES
Hawaiian foilers Gavin Ball and Pearl Lattanzi have written themselves into WASZP history, delivering the USA’s first-ever Games double – Ball claiming his maiden title as Lattanzi defended hers on home water.
Pensacola delivers a World-Class Games
The 2026 WASZP Games wrapped up after five days and 18 races on Pensacola Bay, delivering a championship defined by tight margins, shifting conditions, new racing formats, and a final day that lived up to expectations.
Across the week, sailors were tested in everything Pensacola could throw at them – from unstable, tactical breeze to high-intensity reaching starts – creating a regatta where consistency proved decisive and the leaderboard remained under pressure until the very end.
The WASZP Games continues to cement its position as the leading event in one-design dinghy foiling. The 2026 edition marked the largest foiling class event ever held in North America, bringing together a deep and diverse fleet – from first-timers to seasoned campaigners – and delivering world-class racing across all divisions.
Champions Decided Across the Fleet
In the 6.9 class, Italy’s Francesco De Santis claimed the title after an intense five-day duel with Hawaii’s Bodhi Rushin.
The 7.5 fleet saw Norway’s Martinius Melleby Hoppstock step up from second in 2025 to secure a deserved overall victory. Canada’s Callum Ruch finished second, with Henry Krieble rounding out the podium in third and taking the U17 title.
Across the 8.2 rig divisions, the depth of the fleet was on full display. Switzerland’s Micha de Weck led the juniors, Australia’s Louis Tilly topped the youth division, while Gavin Ball (USA) secured the core title. Declan Reilly (AUS) claimed the Masters, with Andrew McDougall (AUS) taking out the Super Masters.
Lattanzi Dominates, Women’s Podium Goes to the Wire
In the Senior Women’s Championship, Pearl Lattanzi (USA) delivered a commanding performance to defend her WASZP Games title. In control throughout the regatta, she closed out the event with authority.
Behind her, the podium battle remained open all week. Annie Sitzmann (USA), Casey Small (USA), and Spain’s Sol Lopez Navarro traded positions across the series, before stronger final-day conditions allowed Lopez Navarro to secure third, finishing behind Sitzmann in second.
Ball Breaks Through in Men’s Championship
In the Senior Men’s Championship, Gavin Ball (USA) delivered the performance of the week, combining consistency and composure to secure the overall title.
The fight for second came down to a dramatic final-race showdown between Spain’s Antonio Gasperini and Pablo Astiazaran, who started the race level on points. In a fitting finish, the pair rounded the final mark first and second before Gasperini held on to claim silver, with Astiazaran taking bronze, reversing their 2025 result and underlining the intensity of the rivalry.
USA Pipeline & Progression gathers Pace
Both sailors hail from Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and have developed through the WASZP pathway, supported by the America One Racing programme and extensive training in Pensacola. Their dual victories mark a major milestone – not just individually, but for Hawaiian and American foiling more broadly.
Ball’s breakthrough win, after several near-misses at major championship titles, was widely celebrated across the fleet – a result that every sailor who has crossed paths with him would call well deserved. Combined with Lattanzi’s back-to-back Games victories, the result reflects both individual performance and the strength of the WASZP development pathway. The class couldn’t be prouder to see them standing side by side at the top.
GAMES supercharges 2026 North American WASZP Season
The 2026 WASZP Games once again showcased the class at its best – tight racing, a global fleet, and a format that continues to evolve. Pensacola proved a fitting stage: challenging, unpredictable, and ultimately decisive. It’s a week that will fuel the North American season, which is only just getting started.
Underpinning it all is a growing pipeline. Led by FOILFAST in the USA, with support from WeCanFoil in Canada and America One Racing in the US, the North American programme is expanding access to foiling through High School, College, and Yacht Club pathways – developing the next wave of foiling talent.
Five days. Eighteen races. One unforgettable week. Thank you Pensacola.
