The 2025 WASZP Games was the largest WASZP regatta to date and the largest foiling event globally this year. Almost 250 boats gathered in July at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) which was the sailing venue for the 2012 London Olympics.
The conditions in Weymouth were generally light to moderate. The class’s new rudder ensured the event’s success enabling more racing in these conditions than previously possible.
On site, my pre-regatta build up was excellent; I won my first heat and finished 2nd (U19) in the pre-games event. This proved to be somewhat of a false dawn… It is always difficult going to Europe from an Aussie winter. With this year’s focus being my last year of high school and Sydney’s winter breezes being particularly light, my domestic sailing build up was far short of ideal.
This showed as the five days of serious racing got underway. My straight-line speed and general manoeuvring were to a reasonable standard, but my starting and “match fitness” were far short of my European and American peers. Gold fleet was incredibly competitive with the greatest depth of top-end racing the class has seen. I finished 30th overall (out of 248) and 8th Under 19 (out of 67 “Juniors”).
Over the three fleets, the event fostered great camaraderie, close racing and some amazing performances. Obviously, congratulations are due to Federico Bergamasco (Italy) and Pearl Lattanzi (USA) for deservingly being crowned the Male and Female WASZP Champions for 2025. However, there were amazing personal achievements in all parts of the fleet including people competing in their first WASZP regatta and even some who did their first foiling gybe.
The organisers at WPNSA and WASZP did an excellent job putting together an amazing event, both on and off the water. I would like to thank my family and my coach Jack Ferguson for their support in the build-up to and during the regatta. Special thanks also to the RPAYC and my sponsors Zhik, Harken and Vakaros who continue to support me on my journey and have given me incredible opportunities.
Although falling short of my goals in Weymouth was disappointing and has driven some serious soul searching, I have taken significant lessons away. High on my list is the value of carefully targeted preparation. The next WASZP games will be in Pensacola USA in March 2026, and I feel this timing is ideal for Australians going and particularly for me. The WASZP class has an amazing summer of events planned in Australia including the Australian Foiling Sprint Championships in Geelong in December and the Asia Pacific Championships in Brisbane in early January. Together with intensive personal training in Sydney, this build up is exactly what I need to perform at my peak in Pensacola and to be ready to take on the world.