WASZP Pre-Games a wrap in Pensacola as sailors prepare for the 2026 International WASZP Games
by FOILFAST 24 Mar 03:45 PDT
23-28 March 2026
WASZP Pre-Games 2026 © Down Under Sail
The energy in Pensacola Bay didn't pause for a moment. Fresh off the conclusion of the inaugural WASZP All-Stars Invitational, the world's top foilers rolled straight into the 2026 WASZP Pre-Games, turning the Gulf Coast venue into a full-throttle proving ground ahead of the main event.
Held March 19-21 at Pensacola Yacht Club, the Pre-Games brought together more than 50 of the best WASZP sailors on the planet. With the 2026 WASZP Games set to begin immediately after on March 24th, the regatta served as a critical transition point—from showcase racing to championship preparation.
No reset, just reload
The shift from All-Stars to Pre-Games was immediate. Boats stayed rigged, tuning continued dockside, and sailors swapped strategy notes as the focus moved from headline racing to fine-tuning performance.
Rather than a standalone event, the Pre-Games felt like an extension of the intensity that defined the All-Stars Invitational—only now, the emphasis was on consistency, data gathering, and mastering Pensacola's unique conditions.
Dialing in Pensacola Bay
Pensacola Yacht Club once again delivered a near-ideal racing venue. Known for its flat water and reliable thermal breezes, the bay offered a technical but rewarding setup for foiling.
Across the three days, sailors worked to unlock small gains—adjusting rig tension, refining starts, and learning how the breeze built and shifted throughout the afternoon thermal cycle. With racing margins expected to be razor-thin at the Games, these details could prove decisive.
A global fleet defines the standard
With over 50 competitors representing the international WASZP "Swarm," the depth of the fleet was impossible to ignore. The Pre-Games lineup mirrored what fans can expect in the coming week: tight fleets, aggressive starts, and constant lead changes.
More broadly, the fleet in Pensacola reflects a shift in the sport itself. The WASZP has rapidly become the center of gravity for single-handed fleet racing—drawing in the most competitive sailors and pushing the level higher with each event. What's on display here isn't just preparation for a championship; it's a glimpse at where elite dinghy racing is heading.
Beyond Pensacola
The impact of this week won't end when the final race concludes. Following the Games, nine WASZPs will head directly to newly established USFoil Hubs launching April 1st, designed to accelerate dinghy foiling development across the country.
These hubs will provide structured access to boats, along with clinics and coaching—lowering barriers to entry and creating a clear pathway for the next generation of foiling sailors.
Final day showdown and Pre-Games results
The final day in Pensacola delivered exactly what the fleet had been building toward all week. After two days of lighter conditions, the breeze filled to 18+ knots, turning the Bay into a high-speed proving ground and giving sailors their first true look at full-pressure racing ahead of the Games.
The race committee also introduced the new reaching start format, creating dramatic, high-speed approaches to the line and adding a new layer of tactical decision-making. Boats were charging at over 20 knots before the first turn, and positioning off the start quickly proved decisive.
In the 8.2 fleet, Italy's Antonio Gasperini delivered when it mattered most, putting together a dominant final day to secure the overall win. Spain's Pablo Astiazaran finished second, with France's Matteo Chaboud completing a tightly contested podium.
The 7.5 division saw a close battle throughout the regatta, but it was Norway's Martinius Melleby-Hopstock who emerged on top after a strong and consistent final day. Pearl Lattanzi pushed the pace throughout the event to secure second, with Callum Ruch finishing third.
Beyond the results, the final day confirmed what many already suspected. The level of the fleet is exceptionally high, margins are razor thin, and Pensacola is ready. With over 50 sailors using the Pre-Games to refine setup, test the new format, and dial in performance, the transition into the WASZP Games is seamless.
The fleet now shifts focus shoreside, preparing for an amazing Opening Ceremony at the American Magic base in Pensacola before racing officially begins on March 24.
The stage is set. The fleet is tuned. And now, all attention turns to the Games.
See full results here