French sailors dominate the short-course format while Spain maintains its grip on the championship
Day three of the 2026 WASZP European Championship delivered a completely different challenge as the fleet swapped traditional windward-leeward racing for the explosive Sprint Racing format.
The Sprint Series showcases foiling at its most spectacular. Featuring multiple short, predominantly downwind races, the format is designed to maximise speed while rewarding exceptional boat handling. Success comes from staying on the foils, linking together flawless gybes, attacking tight mark roundings and carrying maximum speed from start to finish. With virtually no time to recover from a mistake, every manoeuvre counts.
Gone were the long tactical battles up the beat. Instead, sailors faced a relentless series of high-intensity races where sharp starts, precision boat handling and split-second decision-making were the difference between gaining positions and falling behind.
The 8.2 fleet began with qualifying heats before progressing into the Sprint Series, while the 7.5 and 6.9 fleets contested four sprint races of their own. An unstable sea breeze once again swept across Mar Menor, adding another layer of complexity as sailors battled for every point. The condensed schedule meant the planned Long Distance Race was postponed, leaving another twist still to come before the championship concludes.
Gruet Owns the Sprint Format
If Wednesday belonged to anyone, it belonged to France’s Hippolyte Gruet.
The Frenchman looked untouchable throughout the Sprint Racing, winning three of the four races and discarding a third place to comfortably secure the Sprint Series victory. Gruet has built a reputation as one of the fleet’s strongest short-course racers, and once again proved why, climbing further up the overall standings after one of the standout performances of the regatta.
Despite Gruet’s charge, Spain remains firmly in control of the championship.
Antonio Gasperini continues to lead the 8.2 fleet despite not enjoying his strongest day of the event. Alberto Morales Hernández and Miguel Ángel Morales Hernández remain second and third overall, although the introduction of the second discard after eight completed races has compressed the leaderboard, bringing the chasing pack firmly back into contention.
France Strikes Again in the 7.5 Fleet
The 7.5 fleet once again proved to be the most unpredictable division of the championship.
France’s Antoine Madic mastered the Sprint Racing format to claim the day’s honours, with Spain’s Sol López continuing one of the most consistent regattas of the week to finish close behind.
While Madic celebrated the Sprint Series victory, Louise Metenier quietly strengthened her championship position where it mattered most.
The Frenchwoman successfully defended her overall lead, while Italy’s Giuseppe Chiantera remains second. López continued her climb up the leaderboard, reducing the gap to Chiantera and keeping herself firmly in the hunt as the championship heads towards its final two days.
Andrian Takes the Sprint Honours
Italy’s Jacopo Andrian produced the quickest performance in the 6.9 Sprint Series, taking the daily honours after an excellent display of aggressive, composed racing.
Championship leader Elisa Bombana, however, continued to race with remarkable consistency.
Rather than chasing individual race wins, Bombana once again delivered the results that matter most, extending her overall lead to finish the day on just nine net points. With Andrian second overall and Edoardo Marcantonio third, Italy continues to occupy all three podium positions in the 6.9 fleet.
More Than a Championship
Thursday sees the fleet return to traditional windward-leeward racing, with the battle for the European titles entering its decisive phase. The postponed Long Distance Race still looms, adding another twist before the week is over, while every point now carries even greater significance.
Wednesday evening offered a reminder of what makes the WASZP class so unique. The fleet came together in the local towns for the regatta BBQ, where rivals on the water became friends around the dinner table. For many, it was a chance to reconnect with people they’ve travelled the world with for years, crossing paths at regattas throughout Europe, Australia, North America and beyond. Every championship is another opportunity to catch up with familiar faces, welcome new ones and strengthen the friendships that have become the foundation of the class.
Two days remain to decide the 2026 European Champions. The racing will produce winners and podiums, but it’s the global community built between the races that keeps sailors coming back year after year.