USA sweep at 2026 WASZP Games

Hawaiian foilers Gavin Ball and Pearl Lattanzi have written themselves into WASZP history, delivering the USA’s first-ever WASZP Games double – Ball claiming his maiden title as Lattanzi defended hers on home water. The 2026 WASZP Games, effectively the World Championship for the class, was held March 24-28 in Pensacola, Florida.

With five days and 18 races on Pensacola Bay, the championship was defined by tight margins, shifting conditions, new racing formats, and a final day that lived up to expectations. This was the largest foiling class event ever held in North America.

In the 6.9 class, Italy’s Francesco De Santis claimed the title after an intense five-day duel with Hawaii’s Bodhi Rushin. The 7.5 fleet saw Norway’s Martinius Melleby Hoppstock step up from second in 2025 to secure a deserved overall victory. Canada’s Callum Ruch finished second, with Henry Krieble rounding out the podium in third and taking the U17 title.

Across the 8.2 rig divisions, the depth of the fleet was on full display. Switzerland’s Micha de Weck led the juniors, Australia’s Louis Tilly topped the youth division, while Gavin Ball (USA) secured the core title. Declan Reilly (AUS) claimed the Masters, with Andrew McDougall (AUS) taking out the Super Masters.

In the Senior Women’s Championship, Pearl Lattanzi (USA) delivered a commanding performance to defend her WASZP Games title. In control throughout the regatta, she closed out the event with authority.

Behind her, the podium battle remained open all week. Annie Sitzmann (USA), Casey Small (USA), and Spain’s Sol Lopez Navarro traded positions across the series before stronger final-day conditions allowed Lopez Navarro to secure third, finishing behind Sitzmann in second.

In the Senior Men’s Championship, Gavin Ball (USA) delivered the performance of the week, combining consistency and composure to secure the overall title.

The fight for second came down to a dramatic final-race showdown between Spain’s Antonio Gasperini and Pablo Astiazaran, who started the race level on points. In a fitting finish, the pair rounded the final mark first and second before Gasperini held on to claim silver, with Astiazaran taking bronze, reversing their 2025 result and underlining the intensity of the rivalry.

Both Ball and Lattanzi hail from Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, and have developed through the WASZP pathway, supported by the America One Racing program and extensive training in Pensacola. Their dual victories mark a major milestone – not just individually, but for Hawaiian and American foiling more broadly.

Ball’s breakthrough win, after several near-misses at major championship titles, was widely celebrated across the fleet – a result that every sailor who has crossed paths with him would call well deserved. Combined with Lattanzi’s back-to-back Games victories, the result reflects both individual performance and the strength of the WASZP development pathway.

Underpinning it all is a growing pipeline. Led by FOILFAST in the USA, with support from WeCanFoil in Canada and America One Racing in the US, the North American program is expanding access to foiling through High School, College, and Yacht Club pathways – developing the next wave of foiling talent.

Event information – Race details – Photos