The 2026 WASZP European Championship is underway. 119 sailors. 16 nations. Four races banked on day one. Mar Menor wasted no time living up to its reputation as one of Europe’s premier foiling venues -steady breeze and flat water gave the race committee everything they needed to complete the full opening-day schedule across all three rig divisions, and the home fleet made the most of it.
The championship opened on Sunday evening in style. Sailors paraded through the streets behind a local marching band before arriving at the host club, where they were welcomed by event officials and treated to the region’s renowned hospitality -jamón included.
Brothers Lead the Charge as Spain Sweeps the 8.2
Spain has long been one of the strongest nations in the WASZP fleet, and the opening day underlined exactly why – the home nation claimed the top three positions overall.
Alberto Morales Hernández (ESP) leads the championship after two race wins, a third, and a 22nd that immediately became his discard. Just one point behind sits reigning Spanish Champion and WASZP Games Vice Champion Antonio Gasperini (ESP), keeping the pressure firmly on the overnight leader.
Completing the all-Spanish top three is Miguel Ángel Morales Hernández (ESP) -Alberto’s brother -on eight points, just three off the lead. The brothers sit first and third, with reigning Spanish Champion Gasperini the only sailor standing between them. The trio has already pulled clear of the fleet -fourth-placed Baptiste Courtias (FRA) sits ten points off the lead. With only one discard available on day one, the day’s UFDs bit hard, wiping out the only safety net for a string of genuine contenders. Francesco Carrieri (ITA) fought back to fifth despite a UFD, but the chase pack has plenty to untangle over the next four days.
Two Points Split the Top Three in the 7.5 Fleet
Giuseppe Chiantera (ITA) leads on six points, and he earned it the hard way -a first, a second and a third across the closing three races after shrugging off a race-one penalty as his discard. Fresh from third place at Foiling Week, the U-19 sailor has already stamped himself as one of the favourites for the European title.
One point behind is Louise Metenier (FRA), who opened her regatta in the best possible way -winning the first race of the championship. The U-19 ends the day second overall and leading the Women’s Championship.
Rachael Betschart (BER) won race four to complete the overnight podium on eight points. Three sailors, two points -and two of the three are women. This title is wide open. 
Italy’s Youth Programmes Power the 6.9 Fleet
Italy’s investment in youth foiling continues to pay dividends. The growing 6.9 fleet has become the ideal proving ground for the sport’s youngest sailors, and clubs like Circolo Vela Torbole arrived in Mar Menor with well-drilled teams ready to compete.
Jacopo Andrian (ITA) and compatriot Elisa Bombana (ITA) share the overnight lead on four points, having split the day between them -Bombana took the opening two races, Andrian answered with back-to-back bullets to draw level. Defending WASZP Games 6.9 Champion Francesco De Santis (ITA) completes the top three after the opening four races.
Three Fleets, Three Stories, Nothing Settled
One day down, four to go. The leaderboards are set, but nothing is settled -one point splits the top two in the 8.2, the entire 7.5 podium sits within two points, and the 6.9 lead is shared. Then look at the ages – a U-19 leads the 7.5, U-21s sit third and fourth in the 8.2, and U-15s are already making their mark in the 6.9. The next generation isn’t waiting its turn. Four days remain, and everything is still to play for.
RESULTS
VIDEO RECAP
DAILY IMAGES