Sandefjord Seilforening, Norway to host the WASZP European Games 2024
by Marc Ablett 12 Jan 2023 17:18 AEDT
5-10 August 2024
"The island” is owned by Sandefjord Seilforening and will be a hub for social activities during the Europeans © Trond R. Teigan / SailLogic
The 2024 WASZP European Games will head to Sandefjord Seilforening for the class's first major international competition in Norway. A trip to Norway has been long overdue and the class is buzzing to experience what Sandefjord has to offer! Now with the Covid backlog behind us, the WASZP class is looking to the future and securing major championships in spectacular locations around the world.
The Norwegian WASZP program has been on full throttle for several years, leading the way in training and development for a huge number of sailors. It's safe to say the Norwegian talent machine is firing and there is a long list of names to watch for Sandefjord 2024! In 2021 and 2022, Norwegian sailors have excelled on the world stage. In 2021, Nora Doksrød won the women's European title and Mathilde Robertstad won Kiel Week overall. In 2022, Mathilde took the women's and junior European title and third on the worlds podium, with Doksrød second. At SailGP Copenhagen, Jacob Waersten and Eira Nilsson won their fleets to secure places in the SailGP final in San Francisco next year. It's time for the rest of Europe to travel to Sandefjord and see how the Norwegians do it.
For every sailor, foiling or not, sailing on the Norwegian fjords is a bucket-list experience and Sandefjord is no exception. In many ways an undiscovered gem, Sandefjord offers consistent summer winds that funnel down the fjord and numerous racecourse options among the beautiful islands, including a seriously cool stadium course in front of the city. If great sailing conditions weren't enough, the location of the club is almost jaw-dropping. Split between two islands in the fjord - Granholmen and Seilerholmen - Sandefjord Seilforening must be up there on the list of the world's coolest clubs. Sailors would be pushed to find a better place to enjoy a cold one after an epic day of foiling.
The European Games will take place 5-10 August 2024. Directly before the Games, Sandefjord will host the WASZP Norwegian Championship - a hotly contested event and the perfect way for competitors to tune up and test the waters. On top of that, Sandefjord will host a EuroCup event from 11-13 August 2023, which is a must-attend event for any sailors looking to make an impact on the scoreboard at the European Games the following year.
With the International WASZP Games taking place in North America in 2024, the European Games in Sandefjord will be the biggest WASZP event in Europe. Over 150 boats from all over the world are expected to line up on the start line. As with all WASZP events, there is no qualifying criteria to attend the event so whilst some of the best foiling sailors on the planet will be doing battle at the top, ability does not matter - if you love sailing the WASZP, Sandefjord Seilforening and the WASZP Class look forward to welcoming you to the best dinghy sailing experience the world. Sailors as young as 11 and sailors well into their sixties will all line up together and have a blast on Norwegian waters, sharing the famous WASZP vibes as they foil across the fjord. It is an event not to be missed!
About Sandefjord
Outside of sailing, there is lots to enjoy in Sandefjord and the surrounding area. The geography of the fjord and islands make for infinite wild swimming spots and hidden inlets where you can relax and soak up the sun. For outdoor lovers, there is plenty to do on the water, with paddle boarding, sailing and kayaking options, and plenty to do off the water, with numerous walking and cycling trails. Sandefjord has a rich heritage of Viking conquests and a whaling past which can all be discovered through several fascinating museums and tours. The city itself is a vibrant place, with restaurants and bars on the water and a packed schedule of events through the summer months.
Sandefjord is very well connected to the rest of Europe, with two ferry services from Denmark a short drive away and a ferry from Sweden direct into Sandefjord. The city has its own international airport and the capital Oslo is only a two hour drive away. There is plenty of accommodation available nearby. Directly next door to the club is a large campsite capable of housing all competitors whilst the nearby city offers several hotels and plenty of Airbnb options.
Stay tuned on WASZP social media for more updates on Sandefjord 2024 and other major WASZP events. Earlybird entry will open in the near future so sailors can secure their chance to join the swarm and experience foiling on the Norwegian fjords at the biggest European WASZP event of the year. Exciting times ahead!