By Nicola Hoyle

Light winds prevailed for the final day of the WASZP Pre-Games, seeing the racing postponed as sailors waited for the breeze to make up its mind. Eventually, a shifty southwesterly filled in just enough to get a race away for the Blue flight and the 6.9m rigs, who had missed out on Race 7 yesterday. 

In the 7.5m/8.2m fleets, Pablo Astiazaran Pérez-Cela (ESP) put on yet another dominant display, taking the bullet in the final race. Pablo wrapped up his regatta in style with a clean win, comfortably securing the overall Men’s title. The American duo of Gavin Ball (USA) and Thomas Sitzmann (USA) both delivered steady performances at the front of the fleet throughout the week to finish second and third, respectively. 

One of the most dramatic shifts of the day came in the Women’s Overall Standings. With an impressive fourth-place finish in the fleet, Pearl Lattanzi (USA) launched herself onto the top step of the women’s podium, overtaking Mina Ferguson (AUS) by just three points. Marie Butler Wang (NOR) sailed a smart and steady event to secure third, finishing only two points behind second. 

In the 6.9m rig fleet, Imogen Green (GBR) made the most of the final race of the event, taking the win ahead of Italians Pietro Moncada (ITA) and Francesco de Santis (ITA). But over the full series, it was consistency that paid off for Jacopo Andrian (ITA), who claimed the overall title. Lena Fries (SUI) showed impressive form across all three days to lock in second overall, with Pietro Moncada (ITA) rounding out the podium in third. 

The Pre-Games now hand the baton over to the main event. With a forecast promising solid breeze ahead, the sailors are race-hardened and ready. As new arrivals hit the water, the WASZP Games 2025 is set to heat up. 

Final Standings: 

7.5m / 8.2m Rigs Overall (Men’s) 
🥇 Pablo Astiazaran Pérez-Cela 
🥈 Gavin Ball (USA) 
🥉 Thomas Sitzmann (USA) 

7.5m / 8.2m Rigs Women’s Overall 
🥇 Pearl Lattanzi (USA) 
🥈 Mina Ferguson (AUS) 
🥉 Marie Butler Wang (NOR) 

6.9 Rig Overall 
🥇 Jacopo Andrian (ITA) 
🥈 Lena Fries (SUI) 
🥉 Pietro Moncada (ITA) 

Division Winners: 

• Top Junior: Andrew Chisholm (CAN) 

• Top Youth: Pablo Astiazaran Pérez-Cela (ESP) 

• Top Apprentice: Gavin Ball (USA) 

• Top Master: Dan Haydon (AUS) 

• Top SuperMaster: Mikel Vazquez (ESP) 

Tom Slingsby joins Jon Emmett to discuss how he monitors the WASZP for the next generation of SailGP stars

Jon Emmett’s short with Madilyn Anderson