WASZP All-Stars Invitational Preview - Things are heating up in Pensacola
by WASZP Class 16 Mar 08:02 PDT
March 17-18, 2026
WASZP All-Stars Invitational © WASZP Class
The inaugural WASZP All-Stars Invitational launches tomorrow in Pensacola, bringing together the very best foiling sailors on the planet for what promises to be one of the most exciting and progressive events in WASZP sailing.
This first-ever edition of the WASZP All-Stars Invitational marks a major milestone for the class. Designed to showcase the very highest level of performance, the event aims to push the boundaries of dinghy foiling and highlight the athleticism, skill, and speed of our WASZP sailors.
A total of 15 athletes will line up on the start line, with 8 men and 7 women battling it out for a $10,000 prize pot. Between them they bring an extraordinary list of achievements: world titles, world age-group titles, European, America's and Asia-Pacific titles, and numerous national championships. It is a lineup packed with talent — truly the best of the best in WASZP sailing.
Racing Begins March 17-18
Racing takes place in Pensacola on March 17 and 18, with an innovative format designed to test sailors across every aspect of dinghy foiling performance.
Competitors will race across a variety of course types, including Slalom, SailGP-style, Distance and conventional courses.
There are no discards — every race counts. Consistency, speed, and adaptability will determine who claims victory in this first-ever All-Stars showdown.
A Pathway to the big leagues
Several athletes arrive in Pensacola with SailGP Inspire experience and connections already behind them.
Even more exciting: victory could open the door for WASZP sailors to experience the SailGP league. Sailors from New Zealand, France, Switzerland, and Canada competing in the event each hold invitations from their respective SailGP teams. Should they win the WASZP All-Stars Invitational, they will be invited to join their national SailGP team for an event later this season, where they will experience what it takes to become a professional SailGP athlete.
It's a powerful statement about the role WASZP sailing is playing as a high-performance pathway into professional foiling leagues, reinforcing the WASZP position at the forefront of dinghy foiling.
The Athletes
Men's fleet
- Hippolyte Gruet (France)
- Gavin Ball (USA)
- Andrew Chisholm (Canada)
- Flinn Olson (New Zealand)
- Pablo Astiazaran (Spain)
- Nick Schuler (Germany)
- Alexandre Grognuz (Switzerland)
- Louis Tilly (Australia)
Women's fleet
- Pearl Lattanzi (USA)
- Bridget Conrad (Australia)
- Louise Metenier (France)
- Julia Gebhard (Germany)
- Liv Häggström (Sweden)
- Sol Lopez Navarro (Spain)
- Grace Poole (Canada)