Name: WASZP - the one design foiler
Brand: WASZP
Price: 11400.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.4 (5 reviews)

WINNER! Harry Mighell

WASZP European Championships – Ready to take flight

From June 28th – July 1st the biggest ever fleet of WASZPs will assemble at Lake Garda Italy. The European Championships held at Fraglia Vela Malcesine has been met with a high level of excitement and anticipation by competitors and supporters.

Over 60 WASZPs have entered with around 70 expected for the event, this is a sensational effort for a class only 2 years old and in its infancy. One of the key elements of the WASZP which has the class thriving, is the welcoming nature and large focus on enjoyment and participation. These events are not just for the sailors, it is for friends and families to come and enjoy a 4 day spectacle and everything the WASZP brand has to offer.

The manufacturer offers complete support on-site with all the knowledge needed to make these boats go fast. There is also a full range of spare parts available and support is always on hand to make sure that the sailors are able to get back on the water if they have an issue. The knowledge in the fleet has come a long way in the past 12 months and everyone now has a good knowledge base to ensure their boats are fully up to speed prior to the event. There is also a 3 day camp conducted by WASZP prior to the event, this was booked out over a month before the event showing how keen the competitors are to learn about the boats.

We are looking forward to streaming the SLALOM event live on the WASZP Games Facebook page www.facebook.com/waszpgames. All highlights of the championship racing and off water lifestyle will also be available through this page.

It is still not too late to ENTER!

FULL ENTRY LIST

OTHER EVENTS

WASZP Cup Norway

The 2018 WASZP Cup Norway had its first Stage in early May held at Glesvær, just outside Bergen and it was a sensational event, with 14 boats turning up to take part in the epic racing!

Conditions were ideal all weekend. The first race was held in a light 8-10 knot breeze which gave some of the newer sailors an gentle introduction into foiling. After a lunch break onshore, the wind came in hard, reaching 24 knots which resulted in some spectacular sailing and even better capsizes! The format of racing close to shore meant that spectators could watch the the sailors compete around the track as the proximity to the shore made the wind shifty and puffy, making the racing even more thrilling.

Day 2 of WASZP Cup Norway saw a perfect 15 knot breeze flowing into Glesvær again and the fleet headed out for another fleet race where it was clear that the sailors were learning fast, as the starting line was the scene for a dramatic display of daring and tactics with a number of boats opting for the pin end, port tack start, converging with the starboard tack, boat end fleet within seconds. Avoiding collisions and rule infringements, the fleet continued to race tightly all around the race course before taking a break and sharing the course with the windsurfing fleet who conducted a few races whilst the WASZP’s had their lunch break on the water.

Slalom

Once the windsurfers returned to shore, the WASZP’s began the much anticipated slalom racing event. This format of racing was truly amazing to watch as four boats in each flight flew onto the race track on a direct reach after a three minute start sequence. Sailing perpendicular to the wind angle, the WASZP’s sped toward their first mark at top speed with some epic close racing and tussles.

WASZP Cup Norway-Stage 1 had some incredible racing and Hartas Productions provided aerial drone footage as well as on-water stunning video
WASZP Cup Norway-Stage 1 had some incredible racing and Hartas Productions provided aerial drone footage as well as on-water stunning video
The boats then had to complete four gybes in quick succession to successfully round the four marks that were laid directly in line with the wind, a mere 50 meters separating them. This created some spectacular racing as the tactics and decisions were crucial and changed at lightning speed. If a boat failed to pull off a foiling gybe, they often gybed immediately back and focused on getting the boat foiling again on Leg 3 as opposed to spending time trying to foil on Leg 2. If a boat took too long setting up for a gybe, they would find themselves too far downwind and had to sail back upwind to get around the mark.

It was truly the most spectacular display of sailing, racing and tactics and had spectators on shore cheering and yelling with abandon! The lead changed constantly and boats that were in last place often came back and overtook their fellow competitors to a podium finish! The slalom racing was magnificent to watch and is fast becoming a staple of the WASZP class around the world.

Stage 2 of WASZP Cup Norway will be held in Åsgårdstrand in early June. Stay tuned!

UK Nationals

This year saw the inaugural Waszp UK National Championships at Rutland Water Sailing Club from 10th– 13thMay. The event was generously supported by title sponsor Forward WIP along with Sailingfast, Stewart Brewing and Hartas Productions.

Thursday 10thwas set aside from the championships racing for training and slalom racing. The sun shone, and the wind played ball for the early part of the day but sadly died away as the day progressed into the slalom racing. Fun was had by all, but no winner of the slalom was produced due to the lack of wind.

Those that couldn’t take time off work on the Thursday or in some cases have an exam on the Thursday arrived in the evening ready for the championship racing to commence the following morning. Friday broke to sunshine and a building breeze.

The fleet launched and started race one in 15 gusting 20kts. Champagne conditions producing some of the most exciting racing seen in some time. All competitors from seasoned foilers to new comers, having never foiled before, had a ball. Some impressive boat handling was witnessed at the front end of the fleet but one slip up and places changed. This was the case for all five races sailed that day. Max Todd was the overnight leader with an impressive three bullets closely followed by Graham Priestley with a race win and the third spot taken by Jamie Calder, winner of the final race of the day. Very tired sailors hit the shore but soon rallied with sponsor Stewart Brewing supplying liquid refreshment as they stepped ashore, before sails were dropped and wet suits removed!

Friday evening brought the fleet together for a sociable meal in the club followed by drinks and helpful tips shared from the more experienced Waszp sailors.

What became evident not only on Friday evening but through out the championships was how friendly, inclusive and welcoming everyone involved in this relatively new class were. There were competitors from fifteen year olds through to 50+ all sharing stories and interacting together.

Saturday had glorious sunshine but sadly the forecast proved to be correct and there was no wind. The PRO Mike Haines made the correct call and AP over A was hoisted early in the day. The fleet used this time to hold their first AGM followed by a barbeque around the Sailingfast van and once again sponsor Stewart Brewing supplied the refreshments. That evening the official class dinner was held in the clubhouse before those that were of the appropriate age retired to the local pub, where sponsor Hartas Productions not only supplied amazing film coverage over the weekend but supplied the rum for those at the pub. A great night was had by all!

Sunday’s forecast was for light winds, which was the case, although Mike and his race management team managed to run four races in 5 – 7Kts. This showed how well the Waszp can be raced in low riding mode. Maybe not what you buy a foiler to do but turned out to be extremely competitive racing and supplied the class with a worthy champion in all conditions.

Graham Priestly put a consistent series together to clinch the title by 2 points from Max Todd. Paul Bartlett took the third podium spot, Rachel Jenkins was crowned the WASZP Queen and Jamie Calder was first youth.

The bespoke trophies were designed by the talented Mark Covell alongside Reedway Precision LTD and were breathaking and unique with the WASZP Queen winning a crown which was inspired by game of thrones!

A fantastic event was had by all. From the competitive racing and the great social scene this class is set to really expand. It really is a foiler for the masses.

Thanks must go to Rutland Water Sailing Club, Mike Haines and his team, the event sponsors and our class secretary who has put in a huge amount of work to make this event a success, Victoria Payne.

I’m sure all present can’t wait for the next Waszp event.

Results:

1st G. Priestly
2ndM. Todd
3rdP. Bartlett
4thJ. Calder (1stYouth)
10thR. Jenkins (1stLady)

USA Atlantic Coast Championships

The fleet in the USA has gone from strength to strength, with the 2017 ACC having 13 entries the 2018 version attracted a great fleet of 28 including competitors from Canada and Argentina!

Class designer Andrew McDougall made the trip over to the Toms River Yacht Club for the event and conducted both a tuning clinic and a boat maintenance clinic, these were extremely well recieved by the fleet and all were keen to race against Andrew. This was the first WASZP event Andrew has sailed and he commented that the standard of the USA fleet was extremely high and will only improve in the lead up to the 2019 WASZP Games.

A class AGM was held on the Saturday night after racing and lots of ideas were pushed around to further engage the 122 boats currently in the USA. The fleet was also very keen to get a container of boats over for the 2019 WASZP Games in Perth.

Conner Blouin took the event from last years champion Reed Baldridge in comprehensive style winning by 6points, third place went to Ben Rosenberg a further 6 points back. It was fantastic to see the boats racing on a different course format, with the reaching start Americas Cups style course proving a winner.

FULL RESULTS

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16th May 2018

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