Foiling: WASZP NAs in Kingston
August 3, 2022
Photos – https://photoone.smugmug.com/WASZP-North-Americans-KYC-22/ – Geoff Webster
The 2022 WASZP North Americans were held at Kingston Yacht Club in Kingston, ON Canada 27-31 July 2022. Attracting 24 sailors from across Canada, United States and Bermuda, the fleet consisted of 7 females and 13 Juniors (U20). A pre-regatta clinic, conducted on Wednesday, featured International PRO Irene McNeill as the guest coach, emphasized foiling fundamentals, but also appealed to the more seasoned and experienced WASZP sailors.
The regatta started off in ominous conditions with weather systems rolling through the racecourse with storms, torrential rain and high winds… but Irene McNeill would not be rattled, stayed firm to her plan and did not rush any decisions. To her and her RC crew she pulled off one of the best regattas seen by many with daily winds reaching upwards of 18-20 knots over 4 days and truly testing every single foiler.
In the end it was American Conner Blouin who dominated the fleet with a 10pt margin of victory. 2nd went to younger brother Sam Blouin who won the tiebreaker over top Canadian Galen Richardson in 3rd.
What was most impressive was the development of the fleet over 4 days. While it started with sailors getting lapped on day one to over 80% of the fleet finishing within 10 minutes of the leader and some truly spectacular racing. Foiling maneuvers were much improved day by day, foiling gybes being executed throughout the race makes me feel pretty good about the future of canadian foiling.
Top 3 (Galen, Connor and Sam)
Results – https://theclubspot.com/regatta/qW0frnGExC/results
1st Connor Blouin (USA) – 17 pts
2nd Sam Blouin (USA) – 26 pts
3rd Galen Richardson (CAN) -26 pts
Top Female Pearl Lattanzi (USA)
Top Junior (U20) Jackson Macauley (CAN)
Top Youth (21-25) Galen Richardson (CAN)
Top Apprentice (26-39) Connor Blouin (USA)
Top Master (40+) Trevor Parekh (CAN)
Tyler Bjorn OLY
Head of Training & Development
Canada SailGP Team
Keith Richardson
CWCA President
