Waszp Games 2022: New Zealand takes it all

On Tuesday 12th July the start of the International Waszp Games, with 170 sailors lined up on the starting line, coming from 24 different countries around the world.

With remarkable constancy and 6 partial victories, Sam Street makes a great comeback and exceeds its direct international opponents. The run-up of Sam Whaley, from England, ends in second place. A little more unfortunate Finals for Enzio Savoini who instead loses the leadership and closes third. The english champion Ross Banham (7th) and the winner of Foiling Week 2022, Ettore Botticini (4th), outside the podium.

Waszp Pre-Games and Slalom

The Waszp Pre-Games, which were the approaching races to the World Championship, saw the triumph of Emanuele Savoini, with an excellent consistency during the 6 races and the partial results of 4, 3, 1, 2, (7), 3.

Elise Beavis from New Zealand and Mathilde Bregner Robertstad from Norway closing the podium.

The Championship started on Monday with the official opening ceremony and the parade through the streets of the historic center of Malcesine. At the end of the ceremony, in the scenographic and evocative context of Palazzo Capitani, the aperitif offered by the Malcesine – Monte Baldo cableway.

Every morning the unmissable ted talks for all competitors, with Andrew McDougall, creator of the Waszp.

On Tuesday the inauguration of the World Championship, with the innovative formula of Slalom racing: 8 heats with 20 sailors on the starting line, progressive elimination in order to arrive after 13 tests in the finals in which the best 10 challenged each other. A format without any doubt thrilling and adrenaline-pumping at the same time.

Jaime Framis Harguindey (Spain) is the Slalom winner of the Waszp Games 2022, followed by his teammate Joan Costa. New Zealander Sam Street to close the podium.

The traditional championship races started on Wednesday. Among the title contenders the Italians Ettore Botticini, fresh winner of Foiling Week 2022, the brothers Enzio and Emanuele Savoini, winner of the Pre-Games, and Francesco Bertone, current European Champion of the Waszp class. Among the contenders from outside Italy, the Irish Chares Cullen (2nd at Foiling Week 2022), the English Ross Banham, winner of the UK Nationals, and Sam Whaley. Great expectations also for Jack Ferguson, two-time Australian champion and Sam Street from New Zealand.

The races

Complete program for the first phase of the Waszp championship, with eight races completed for all fleets. Two days with constant winds from the South, between 12 and 14 knots.

The favorites of the World championship are not at all disappointing, giving life to a beautiful battle for the top positions. Excellent consistency of Enzio Savoini (1 – OCS (76) – 2 – (3) – 1 – 1 – 3 – 1) who with only 9 points behind, is at the top of the provisional standings, followed by Sam Street (12 points) – Youth category – and Ross Banham (17 points). At the foot of the podium Sam Whaley, Ettore Botticini and Charles Cullen.

For the women’s podium the fight is between Beavis Elise (73 points), Doksrod Nora (87 points) and Bregner Roberstad Mathilde (101 points). Friday and Saturday the last scheduled races, with the fleets divided into Gold and Silver, to establish the new World Champion of the Waszp class.

The Waszp’s week at Fraglia Vela Malcesine ends with a great comeback of Sam Street, who overcomes his international rivals with great consistency and 6 partial victories. Sam Whaley‘s run-up from England stops in second place. An unluckier ending instead for Enzio Savoini, who loses the leadership and finishes third. Off the podium the winner of Foiling Week 2022, Ettore Botticini (4th) and the English champion Ross Banham (7th). A less adrenalinic podium instead for the female category, with Beavis Elise (New Zealand) who never left her leadership from day one and closed in 22nd position overall. Second and third place for the Norwegians Doksrod Nora (30th overall) and Bregner Roberstad Mathilde (40th).

Complete regatta program held here at Fraglia Vela Malcesine, with 16 exciting races in four days in addition to the inaugural day dedicated to Slalom. Great participation also at the return from the regattas with the daily awards ceremony and technical meetings with the creator of One Design Waszp Andrew McDougall.

A huge thank you to all the sponsors of the Fraglia Vela Malcesine, Falconeri, Negrinautica and Cassa Rurale Alto Garda – Rovereto.

A special thank you also to the sponsors of the event: Malcesine Monte Baldo Cableway, Redoro Frantoi Veneti and Pastificio Avesani.