Sandefjord, Norway – The penultimate day of the 2024 International WASZP Games brought a dramatic shift in conditions, challenging sailors with everything Mother Nature could throw at the fleet. Torrential rain and winds exceeding 30 knots delayed the start until 4:00 PM, as race officials waited for conditions to moderate. But when the fleet finally launched, summer returned to WASZP Island with 20 knots of breeze and blazing sunshine.
Sandefjord Photograph: James Tomlinson
The day opened with two high-stakes races, where survival was as crucial as speed. In a standout performance, Great Britain’s Andy Bridgman secured his first-ever win at an International WASZP Games, followed by a second-place finish, catapulting him from 45th to 21st overall. Bridgman’s success underscores the depth of talent in this fleet, where anyone in the top 40 boats has the potential to claim victory.
Sandefjord Photograph: James Tomlinson
Sandefjord Photograph: James Tomlinson
At the top of the leaderboard, the competition is heating up. Pre-event favourite Magnus Overbeck of Norway holds a narrow 4-point lead heading into the final day of racing. Close behind in second place is Norwegian Markus Berthet, setting up a thrilling rematch of last year’s European Championships, where Berthet triumphed over Overbeck. New Zealand’s Tim Howse rounds out the top three after a stellar day of racing, though the battle for the podium remains fierce, with just 10 points separating third and ninth place.
Sandefjord Photograph: James Tomlinson
In the Silver Fleet, Arthur Peltier of France has established a commanding lead, though the day’s top performer was Spain’s Pablo Franco, who posted an impressive 3,2,2,4 scorecard. Eliot Coville, with three race wins, also emerged as a dominant force, but he faces an uphill battle to close the points gap.
Sandefjord Photograph: James Tomlinson
In the Women’s Fleet, Hedvig Doksrod of Norway appears poised to claim the title with a 61-point lead over compatriot Marie Butler Wang. However, the fight for second is far from over, with Wang holding a slim 1-point advantage over star Nora Doksrod, who continues to improve as the event progresses.
Sandefjord Photograph: James Tomlinson
Division Leaders:
- Junior: Victor Loof (Sweden)
- Youth: Tim Howse (New Zealand)
- Apprentice: Magnus Overbeck (Norway)
- Master: Emmanuele Savoini (Italy)
- Super-Master: Mikel Vazquez (Spain)
As the final day of the 2024 International WASZP Games approaches, all eyes will be on the water in what promises to be an unforgettable conclusion to the event.
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About WASZP: WASZP is a high-performance foiling sailboat class that has gained significant popularity for its accessibility and exciting competition. The class emphasizes participation, diversity, and retention, making foiling more mass-participatory and widely accessible.
About Sandefjord Seilforening Club: Established in 1890, Sandefjord Seilforening Club is one of Norway’s oldest sporting organizations. Known for its excellent sailing conditions and historic significance, the club continues to be a premier venue for major sailing events.
