Foiling Week Pensacola wraps

The inaugural Foiling Week Pensacola hosted seven days of racing, community events, and social engagements on was held February 23-March 2 in Pensacola, FL. Inclusive of the largest Waszp North American Championship in US history, all forms of foiling crafts came together as sailors and supporters engage in this emerging area of the sport.

“We knew from our first visit to Pensacola that the city was the right fit for our first event of this scale outside of the original Lake Garda edition,” said Scott Over, Managing Partner of Foiling Week and Board Member of The Foiling Organization. “But what we couldn’t have predicted was the full extent to which the city opened their arms to foiling enthusiasts from around the world.

“The community laid the groundwork to initiate this as a true home for foiling in the US. From our friends at Yacht Clubs, to Sail Pensacola and the Hilton Hotel, Community Maritime Park, and so many others, it was an enormous wave of support that made this week a success.”

Additional information:
• US Sailing: https://www.ussailing.org/news/february-foiling-events-recap-by-phil-muller/
• America One Racing: https://www.americaoneracing.us/latest/america-one-racing-announces-new-board-members-22xp7

Class winners:
Moth: Riley Gibbs
Waszp: Micha De Weck
A-Class Catamaran: Ravi Parent
BirdyFish: Ewan Dossin/  Ethan Johnson
iFly 15: Helmed by Martin Langhoff
Open Catamaran: Dylan Tomko/ Casey Small (Nacra 15 FCS)

Surf Sports
Session 1
Pump Men: Gage Schoenherr
Pump Women: Ansley Pritchard
Downwind Men: Gwen La Tutour
Downwind Women: Ava Segersten

Session 2 (in collaboration with Foil Surf Race League & Surf Foil Tour)
Foil Assist: Keaton Fischer
Pro: Brady Hurley
Open: Jeff McKee
SUP: Gage Schonherr
Open Women: Ansley Pritchard
EFoil: Justin Chait
Pump: Edan Fiander

Wind Sports
Open Wing Men: Gwen La Tutour
Open Wing Women: Ava Segersten
Kite Foil: Leif Given

Taking home the win in the Moth fleet just a few months after the 2024 Moth World Championships in New Zealand was Riley Gibbs of Long Beach, CA. Gibbs is a Tokyo 2020 Olympian, an America’s Cup athlete with American Magic, and an avid Moth sailor working to grow the US class. “The racing was amazing,” said Gibbs.

“Everyone really stepped up their game from the Worlds and took a lot of lessons out of that championship to bring their best to Pensacola. Beyond this week, we’re working together as a US class to take it one notch better in Garda for Foiling Week Malcesine 2025.”

When asked about the city as a host venue, Gibbs said “Foiling Week here in Pensacola was phenomenal, you can feel the southern hospitality. The city has been welcoming to all of us, we’ve had great weather, and we look forward to returning.”

Foiling Week Pensacola also marked the largest Waszp event to date in North America with over 40 athletes taking the starting line for four days of racing that doubled as the 2025 North American Championship. “It’s great to see the athletes get together to compete in a venue like Pensacola,” said Tyler Bjorn, Waszp North American Class & New Business Development Manager.

“And positioning this as the North American Championship brought in awesome competition from Italy, Switzerland, France, and Belgium. Foiling is growing and we look forward to continuing that growth with Foiling Week.”

The Pensacola edition is the first location to open its doors to spectators at this scale, exposing the public to stadium sailing. Scheduled in tandem with one of the oldest Mardi Gras celebrations in the US, Foiling Week welcomed an impressive crowd of festivity goers to experience the world of foiling just a few blocks away from parade routes.

“Pensacola has a really cool vibe,” added Bjorn. “It’s laid back, the bay is awesome for sailing, and the apres-sail is really fun. We’ve had great conditions the whole week and can’t wait to come back.”

Foiling Week Pensacola hosted a wide range of activities beyond racing, including a local beach clean up in partnership with BioDesign, a morning of children’s activities with the Satori Foundation for local students at the Dixon School of the Arts & Sciences at Pensacola Yacht Club, and a Foiling Film Festival with seven short films celebrating the stories and adventures of foiling.

Additionally, foiling industry leaders gathered at the United States Foiling Business Forum to discuss the future of the industry and explore new economic development opportunities for the city of Pensacola.

Event details: https://foilingweek.com/landing/pensacola-2025/

Source: Event media