WASZP Games 2025 Day 4
by Nicola Hoyle 24 Jul 21:38 PDT
19-25 July 2025
2025 WASZP Games Day 4 © Down Under Sail
The Weymouth weather continued to keep the fleet guessing, with the northerly breeze hanging in the early forecast before giving way to a westerly build.
By 13:00, the fleets were off the slip; Gold heading into the bay while the rest remained tucked inside the harbour.
Keen to get racing, the Gold Fleet brought the heat on the start line. Three general recalls later, they finally got away on the fourth attempt. It was the pin-end starters who nailed it—Pablo Astiazaran Pérez-Cela (ESP) launched off on starboard with real pace, while Gavin Ball (USA) threaded the needle on port.
The fleet split evenly across the course, but it was those who dug into the left who came out ahead at the top mark. The racing was tight and aggressive. Jasper Camenzind (NZL) sailed a masterclass, converting a strong first beat into a wire-to-wire win. Behind him, a fierce battle brewed between Thomas Sitzmann (USA) and Mose Bellomi (ITA). The pair rounded the upwind gate together, but Bellomi sniffed out a shift down the run and crossed comfortably ahead to hold second, with Sitzmann settling into third.
Further back, Federico Bergamasco (ITA) put in a storming comeback, climbing through the pack and nailing third at the line. In the Women's standings, Pearl Lattanzi (USA) remains in control with a solid lead, but it's heating up behind her—just three points separating Rachael Betschart (BER) and Mina Ferguson (AUS) in the fight for second and third. The Bay breeze fizzled after Race 1, leaving Gold with just one scoring race for the day.
Inside the harbour, the Silver Fleet faced their own start line battles, with general recalls adding to the tension. But once under way, they managed three quality races in breeze that kept tacticians busy and crews on their toes.
Race 1 saw Thomas Dempsey (GBR) push hard upwind, leading to the gate ahead of Noé Dumaine (FRA) and a charging Madilyn Anderson (USA). Dempsey's charge was interrupted allowing Leonardo Centuori (ITA) to nail the final downwind lay line and stole the bullet, with Merryn Attridge (GBR) grabbing second and Madilyn Anderson sailing an exceptional race to complete the top three.
Race 2 brought more pressure bands and wind shifts. Dumaine made it look easy, sailing away to the win. Jesper Fleischer (GER) was strong upwind, but it was Ben Harris (GBR) who kept it close, eventually slotting into second with Dempsey picking up third.
The final race saw Ben Anderson (GBR) take charge, holding off Matias Esteves Laranjinha (NOR) in second and U16 sailor Mario Alberto Palermo (ITA) a standout third place.
Andrew McDougall (NZL) showed his class with two bullets in Bronze Fleet, but the racing was far from a one-man show. U16 sailor Gregoire Radue (SUI) lit it up in Race 2 with a win and backed it up with second in Race 3. Antoine Madic (FRA) and Matt Lulham-Robinson (GBR) also snagged second place finishes, while Super Master Joerg Fleischer (GER) joined McDougall on the Race 1 podium. Ghislaine van Empel (NED) and Henry Keegan (GBR) both picked up well-earned third places.
The 6.9s delivered another round of tight, tactical racing. Imogen Green (GBR) opened with a stylish win in Race 1 and backed it up with a third in Race 2. Olivia Castaldi (ITA) continues to set the pace, adding a second-place finish to maintain her grip on the overall lead. Pietro Moncada (ITA) was the day's standout—third in the opener and a bullet in Race 2—while Ricardo Bille (ITA) stayed firmly in the hunt with a solid second.
It's been a big week of progress for the sailors in the Green Fleet, supported by expert coaching from Matt Beck and Eliott Savelon. Many who weren't foiling at the start are now confidently up on the foils and attempting their first gybes.
The Green Fleet launched on Day 1 with 14 sailors. By today, 8 remained in the group, with 6 progressing in skill and confidence to join the Bronze or 6.9m rig fleets—taking on the challenge of full-on big fleet racing. It continues to be a brilliant space for sailors to build confidence as beginners or recharge if regrouping from higher fleets, all while sharpening the skills needed for the next step up.
With four days of racing now in the books, here's how the overall leaderboard is shaping up.
Results after Day 4: (top ten, 8.2m & 7.5m rig)
1 Federico Bergamasco (ITA) 16pts
2 Pablo Astiazaran Pérez-Cela (ESP) 27pts
3 Antonio Gasperini (ESP) 30pts
4 Caspar Ilgenstein (GER) 39pts
5 Gavin Ball (USA) 40pts
6 Andrew Chisholm (CAN) 46pts
7 Mose Bellomi (ITA) 52pts
8 Jasper Camenzind (NZL) 54pts
9 Matthis Johnson (FRA) 69pts
10 Francesco Carrieri 73pts
Top Women:
Pearl Lattanzi (USA)
Rachael Betschart (BER)
Mina Ferguson (AUS)
Top Junior (U19)
Andrew Chisholm (CAN)
Top Youth (U21)
Federico Bergamasco (ITA)
Top Apprentice
Gavin Ball (USA)
Top Master
Enzio Savoini (ITA)
Top SuperMaster
Stefan Eriksson (SWE)
Top 7.5m rig division
Alex Jones (GBR)
Top 6.9m rig division*
Olivia Castaldi (ITA)
Top U16 (6.9m rig)* Oscar Hoyle (GBR)
*pending final scoring for today's races
Full results can be found here.
Friday 25th July:
Schedule: 4 course races for Gold Fleet and Sprint Racing for Silver, Bronze and 6.9m rig fleets.
Weather: West-South-Westerly due to build from 11.00 onwards reaching 8-12 knots by 13.00.
More information on the event website here.