WASZP Games 2025: Talent and fun Descends on Weymouth
by Marc Ablett 11 Jul 17:22 AEST
19-25 July 2025
245 Entries for the Weymouth WASZP Games © WASZP Class
The 2025 International WASZP Games, set to take place from July 19–25 at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, are poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history.
With 245 entries confirmed and numbers still rising. There is no doubt that the fun, inclusive nature of the WASZP, coupled with the talent within the fleet is driving the numbers. With as much fun on-shore as there is on the water, the culture remains a key point of difference in the WASZP Class.
Global Class Manager Martin Evans has constructed an event that allows a sailor's enjoyment not to be determined solely by what happens on the water. Whether it be the top sailors providing an open debrief with a beverage in hand, our the social functions that continue on well after the last boat cover is put on, there will be something for everyone in a class that has one of the widest demographics in the sport.
Top Contenders to Watch
Leading the overall and men's rankings is France's Hippolyte Gruet with 3,201 points, reflecting a season of consistent excellence. Close on his heels are Italy's Federico Bergamasco (3,055 points) and the USA's Gavin Ball (2,835 points), both demonstrating formidable performances throughout the season.
Full Global Ranking
Gruet shot to the top of the rankings after a brilliant performance in the recent French Nationals, a final warm-up before heading to Weymouth. He also won the French SailGP Qualifier to compete in the Grand Final in Sydney next February.
The rankings have been shuffling with 3 leaders in the last 4 weeks, giving us a strong indication of who the contenders will be. Firstly, Micha De Weck had a very strong start to the European Season with wins at EuroCup level. However, as we turned to Garda, it was Federico Bergamasco who took the lead globally with a great performance at Foiling Week. Gavin Ball then made a charge with an all-the-way win at the Americas Championship in Cork, Canada. With Gruet finally settling the score with a strong performance in France. However, we expect these to rankings to further shake up when the Pre-Games event commences on the 14th of July as the International sailors join the Europeans/UK sailors for the first time.
In the women's division, Sweden's Liv Häggström stands out with 1,926.80 points, marking her as a formidable competitor. The United States' Pearl Lattanzi (1,362.20 points) and Sweden's Maja Larsson-Bergqvist (1,040.20 points) are also strong contenders, showcasing the depth of talent in the women's fleet . Other notable inclusions are Rachael Betschart from Bermuda who won last years SailGP INSPIRE Grand Final, Alice Senior, Jaz Boote and Katy Jenkins are all out of the Athena Performance Academy in Weymouth and will no doubt be contenders!
Strong Masters & Super Masters - Ready to renew rivalries!
While much of the spotlight at the 2025 International WASZP Games will shine on the youth and open divisions, the Masters (ages 30–49) and Super-Masters (50+) categories promise some of the most compelling stories and intense on-water rivalries.
Leading the charge in the Masters division is Belgium’s Tom Pelsmaekers, a former Olympic 49er sailor bringing world-class credentials and sharp racecraft to the foiling scene. He’s expected to push not only for a Masters title but could also be a factor in the overall fleet standings. Joining him is Dan Haydon from Australia, a regular contender at international WASZP regattas, including he recent Americas Championships in Canada and a respected figure in the growing Oceania fleet. Another standout is Lijia Xu from China — an Olympic gold medallist in the Laser Radial who continues to inspire as she transitions into foiling, now racing aboard her distinctively named Water Lily. Other sailors to keep an eye on are Andy Bridgman from GBR, while sailors like Ian Fitzgerald from GBR have clocked up some serious miles attending events all over the globe for years, they underpin a really strong group from the UK.
In the Super-Masters category, France’s Manu Guédon A constant presence on the international circuit, Guédon has championed the French fleet for a number of years now and was the driving force behind the European Games at Quiberon in 2023, he loves nothing more than getting to a WASZP event with that trademark smile. He'll face strong competition from Jervis Tilly of Australia — the father of rising star Louis Tilly — who sails under the fitting name Superseded. Tilly combines wry Aussie humour with solid boat speed and is constantly pushing the younger sailors at events not just in Australia but around the world. He is the Australian class president and is passionate about growing the WASZP for all ages. Rounding out the group is Daniel Goodman from New Zealand, although he has called the UK home for a number of years, he has produced some stunning results in the incredibly competitive open UK fleet. 22 Sailors will comprise the Super-Masters fleet, it’s packed with spirit, camaraderie, and competitive fire, and these sailors will no doubt be favourites both on and off the water. The fleet also consists of 11 UK Super-Masters, a group that have been a mainstay of the class for years. Adam Raeburn-James is one of these who has held many positions on the UK WASZP Comittee over the years. It is awesome to see this section of the fleet continuing to grow.
Event Highlights
- Dates: July 19–25, 2025
- Location: Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, UK
- Entries: 245 and counting
- Divisions: Men's, Women's, Youth, Junior, Master, Super Master, and WASZP_X (junior class)
- Special Events: Marathon Race featuring the entire fleet on a single start line | Women's Sprint Championship and SailGP Qualifier
Find out more at racehub.waszp.com/eventdetail/360