2026 WASZP Games Set for Pensacola
The countdown has officially begun.
In just days, nearly 70 international sailors will arrive in Pensacola, Florida, for the 2026 International WASZP Games, marking one of the largest gatherings of dinghy foilers ever seen in North America.
Athletes from around the world will converge on the Gulf Coast for two weeks of high-energy racing that includes the All-Star Sprint Championship, the Pre-Games Championship, the International WASZP Games, and the ever-growing Green Fleet development program.
For the WASZP class in North America, the event represents something larger than a regatta. It is the visible culmination of years of steady development across the United States and Canada.
A Growing International Fleet
The fleet assembling in Pensacola reflects the global strength of the class.
Veteran sailors who have been part of the WASZP story since its earliest days will line up alongside a new generation of foilers who have progressed through emerging development programs across North America. Both the Men’s and Women’s divisions are expected to deliver tight racing throughout the week.
The WASZP’s unique structure allows sailors from youth through masters to compete on the same platform, creating large fleets and meaningful competition at every level of experience.
The All-Star Sprint Championship
The opening act for the Games will be the inaugural WASZP All-Star Sprint Championship.
Selected sailors from leading WASZP nations will compete in a slalom format designed to highlight the explosive speed and manoeuvrability of dinghy foiling. Athletes will race on tight sprint courses, navigating a slalom-style course at full flight.
A $10,000 USD prize pool will be on the line, along with the title of the first WASZP Sprint Champion.
The format promises high-intensity racing and will showcase some of the fastest sailors in the class.
Pensacola: A New Center for Foiling
Over the past three years, Pensacola Yacht Club has steadily built a reputation as one of the most promising foiling venues in North America.
Consistent Gulf Coast breeze, open sailing space, and a rapidly growing sailing community have helped the venue attract international attention. The momentum has accelerated even further with the development of the American Magic High Performance Facility, which will serve as both a fabrication center and one of the first dedicated SailGP training facilities in the United States.
The recent acquisition of the SailGP team known as ROCKWOOL Racing by American Magic signals a deeper commitment to high-performance sailing in the region and further strengthens the ecosystem surrounding the event.
With junior sailors already entering local programs and the venue’s interest in being a WASZP HUB, Pensacola is rapidly establishing itself as a key destination for dinghy foiling development.
A Connected Development Pathway
The growth of the fleet arriving in Pensacola reflects a broader structure that has been taking shape across the continent.
Programs such as USFoil in the United States and WeCANFoil in Canada, combined with the growing network of WASZP HUBs, are creating a clear and connected pathway into the sport.
From introductory clinics and local HUB programs through to Race Teams and international competition, the system is designed to allow sailors to progress while remaining connected to their home fleets.
Partnerships with organizations such as America One Racing (A1R) further strengthen this structure by connecting developing foilers to high-performance coaching and international racing opportunities.
At the center of this ecosystem sits the WASZP, the world’s most widely raced one-design foiling dinghy, providing a consistent platform for sailors of all ages to compete and develop within the same class structure.
Technology Enters the Games
The 2026 Games will also introduce a new level of race technology.
For the first time at an International WASZP Games, the fleet will race using the Vakaros RaceSense system, a data-driven platform that dramatically improves race management and performance analysis.
The technology eliminates starting-line uncertainty while simultaneously capturing detailed race data. Sailors and coaches will be able to analyze everything from starting performance to distance sailed and peak speeds.
The system was tested throughout the 2025 season in North America and has already demonstrated its ability to increase race efficiency and maximize time on the water.
Two Weeks of Foiling Action
The 2026 WASZP Games will unfold across several stages:
March 16–18
WASZP All-Star Sprint Championship
March 19–21
Pre-Games Championship
March 23
Opening Ceremonies at the American Magic High Performance Facility
March 24–28
International WASZP Games
Alongside the main racing, the Green Fleet program will introduce new sailors to dinghy foiling and allow developing competitors to experience the international event environment.
The Stage Is Set
With a fleet approaching seventy sailors, a world-class venue, and two weeks of racing ahead, the 2026 WASZP Games are shaping up to be a defining moment for dinghy foiling in North America.
Pensacola is ready.
The sailors are arriving.
And the countdown has officially begun.
About Pensacola Yacht Club
Founded in 1908, the Pensacola Yacht Club – located on a 17-acre site at the mouth of Pensacola Bay’s Bayou Chico – has long been known as The South’s Finest Yacht Club, promoting world-class sailing, youth development, and competitive excellence on one of the most beautiful and technically dynamic bays in North America.
About WASZP
WASZP is an international one-design foiling Dinghy class featuring a single-handed hydrofoiling dinghy designed by Andrew McDougall. Capable of flying above the water at speeds exceeding 20 knots, the WASZP delivers high-performance racing in an accessible and athlete-driven format. Since its launch, the class has experienced rapid global growth, with active fleets across Europe, North America, Australasia, and emerging regions worldwide. Known for innovative race formats, including fast-paced sprint racing, WASZP attracts sailors from Olympic pathways, professional circuits, and the next generation of foiling talent, helping shape the future of modern sailing.