Pensacola, USA – March 25, 2026 – Day 2 on Pensacola Bay raised the stakes. A new race format made its debut at the pinnacle of WASZP racing, the competition was relentless, and two American foilers now sit firmly atop their respective fleets.
SailGP Style Racing Takes Flight
For the first time, the fleet raced under a SailGP inspired course: a reaching start, a windward-leeward middle section, and a high-speed reach to the finish. The result was exactly what the format promised – simultaneous full-speed starts that sent the fleet into a drag race to the first mark. Boat handling, positioning, and split-second decisions separated the field. Even the slightest mistakes were punished.
Hopstock challenges Lattanzi in the 7.5 Fleet
Martinius Hopstock (NOR) drew first blood with a race win, and Casey Small (USA) took to the new format immediately – two bullets in the final two races announced a rapid climb through the standings. But Pearl Lattanzi (USA) did what leaders do. Three second-place finishes and a well-timed discard kept her ahead of the pack, extending her lead at the top of the 7.5 fleet. Hopstock sits second, Small in third – the chase pack is tightening, and Lattanzi knows it.
The fight for the podium tightens in the 8.2 Fleet
Gavin Ball (USA) extended his domination in the 8.2 fleet – midway through the regatta he is the benchmark everyone else is measuring themselves against. Two seconds and a race win today, puts him on just 7 points after the first discard. The real contest is happening behind him.
UFDs wreaked havoc through the chase pack. Antonio Gasperini (ESP) and Thomas Sitzmann (USA) each took one, blowing holes in otherwise competitive scorecards. Both discarded the damage and fought back – Gasperini with a race win and a third, Sitzmann with a sharp second – but the chaos reshuffled the order and left the podium wide open. Pablo Astiazaran (ESP) navigated the turbulence more cleanly, discarding a sixth to hold second on 16 points. Gasperini sits third on 17, Sitzmann fourth on 19, and Louis Tilly (AUS) – who sailed consistently throughout and activated a discard to stay in the hunt – level with Sitzmann on 19. The margin is paper-thin. Four sailors are separated by three points. The podium is far from decided.
SPRINTS & DISTANCE set to light up Pensacola Bay
Racing resumes on Day 3 with the Sprint format centre stage. Five short races will be consolidated into a single result – a format that punishes inconsistency and rewards nerve.
The afternoon round outs with the incredible sight of the entire WASZP fleet sending it in the long-distance race spreading colour and excitement across full span of Pensacola Bay – from the Clubhouse promenade to the Pensacola Bay Bridge. This format has brought many top runners undone over the years – a fast and fantastic challenge for all sailors.