Record fleet expected for WASZP European Championship
by Marc Ablett 9 Apr 2019 15:33 BST
17-20 July 2019
Fraglia Vela Malcesine Rigging Area © Marc Ablett
The 2019 WASZP European Championships will be set on the iconic foiling venue Lake Garda Italy for the second time. Fraglia Vela Malcesine will again host the event from the 15th 20th July, with expectations of 100+ boats from 15 nations for the first time since the class began production in August 2016.
Strong teams from the UK, Norway, Spain, France, Germany and Italy are expected, with teams from further abroad expected from Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Smaller teams from other European countries will make up the remainder of the competition, with the total number of nations sailing WASZPs now at 42 worldwide.
The event kicks off on the 15th/16th of July with registration and the European Slalom event, following on from the successful international slalom event at the Perth WASZP Games, this event is expected to be bigger and more exciting than anything seen before. With Malcesine providing the perfect location for a slalom event, with ideal viewing and racing conditions.
From the 17th 20th of July the Championship racing commences with 2 days of qualifying and 2 days of finals with 100 boats creating a split 2 fleet event for the first time in the class. This will also be the first official event on the new racing foil. By the first event of the European Season over Easter at Campione Lake Garda, most of the world will have access to the new foil. This improvement has been widely accepted and congratulated, with it proving a real game changer for the fleet opening the wind range up to 6-25 knots. We have already raced 2 events in Australia and New Zealand on this foil, with the sailors commenting on how it has made the racing incredibly close and much more tactical, the ability to foil tack and sail higher upwind, while sailing lower downwind has meant for more passing lanes. Also being highlighted is the more forgiving nature of manoeuvres, sailors who were originally nailing 2 out of 5 gybes are now nailing consistent gybes due to the more stable platform.
Socially the WASZP class has now received the reputation of being a highly social class and a very important aspect of each event. The class will have an opening ceremony on the 16th of July and Slalom presentation, then each day will be a pasta party put on by the club and a daily presentation for the GPS speed demons prize. On Thursday the 18th of July there will be the traditional WASZP competitors party hosted off-site at a location in Malcesine, this will include dinner and drinks with competitors, family and friends all welcome to attend and enjoy the party. In between the sailing one of the class partners Europa Surf & Sail will be open for business providing great options for all competitors, families and friends, with windsurf and SUP hire it is the perfect place to spend your European Holiday.
Entries and NOR are now available on-line as well as accommodation and entertainment details here.
All entry fees include, Slalom entry, championship racing, WASZP merchandise pack, pasta party every day after racing, daily prize givings and the traditional WASZP Party! Providing sensational value!
Make sure you enter before the 22nd of July to avoid the late entry fee. You are able to enter now and pay later as long as it is prior to the 22nd of July.