Marion, MA (June 22, 2025) – History was made on Buzzards Bay this weekend. The 2025 U.S. Singlehanded Championships launched into a new era, literally, by featuring the WASZP, a high-speed, foiling dinghy for the very first time in the event’s 63-year history. Hosted by Tabor Academy, the event brought together over a dozen elite sailors from across North America for three days of fast-paced racing and cutting-edge performance, highlighting a generational shift in singlehanded sailing. In addition to crowning the nation’s best singlehanded sailor, this year’s event focused heavily on development, inclusion, and sportsmanship.
Traditionally raced in conventional dinghies, like the Laser (ILCA) and Sunfish, the U.S. Singlehanded Championships is known for nurturing top-tier talent, leading to national and Olympic success. This year, the shift to foiling has opened the door to a younger, tech-savvy fleet excited to fly above the water rather than displace it.
“High-performance foiling is no longer just the future; it’s here now,” said Zaak Beekman, U.S. WASZP Class President. “This championship is proof that US Sailing is taking real steps to evolve and energize the pathway for competitive sailors.”
Strong afternoon sea breezes in the 15–20 knot range allowed sailors to fully engage the WASZP’s unique foiling characteristics, achieving lift-off speeds of 25+ kts during racing, in thrilling fashion just off the shores of Marion, Massachusetts. The regatta kicked off on Friday, June 20, with initial competitors’ briefing, rigging sessions, and opening races in ideal foiling conditions. By Day 2, the racing was in full swing, with five races completed in a building breeze.
Buzzards Bay lived up to its reputation, dishing out consistent wind that allowed even the less experienced foilers to build confidence and speed with every leg. The race committee chose to amend the schedule for Sunday to ensure racing due to an oncoming front promising to upend the racing schedule. This turned out to be the right call as the last race ended just as Buzzards Bay kicked into gear. PRO Kevin Reeds summed it up with: “Three great days of racing under challenging conditions led to tight racing in a fast fleet on an excellent racecourse.”
The standout performers emerged quickly, but it was Kaneohe Yacht Club’s Gavin Ball that led the charge with confident boat handling and tactical clarity that kept him consistently at the front of the fleet for all three days of racing. He has made history as the first U.S. Singlehanded Champion in a foiling class. He was also awarded the Peter J. Barrett Sportsmanship Award for his consideration and helpfulness towards fellow sailors.
“Winning the championship feels great. It’s so cool to have this event in a foiling class this year,” said Kaneohe Yacht Club’s Gavin Ball. “So much of sailing is foiling – half the Olympic classes, SailGP – so it’s great that US Sailing is bringing this championship into the future.”
As to what put him on top of the fleet this weekend?
“The key to success was being able to handle the boat through all the conditions: there were races where it was marginal foiling to races with gusts to 30 knots, so it was about keeping consistency throughout the wind range,” he said.
The final results:
Top 3 Male
- Gavin Ball (USA)
- Ethan Thompson (CAN)
- Thomas Sitzmann (USA)
Top Female
- Phoebe Chalmers (CAN)
US Sailing thanks Polar Seltzer for keeping us hydrated, SailFlow for providing us with the information to keep racing going, and last but certainly not least, Tabor Academy and their dedicated staff for all their efforts and support this weekend. The 2025 U.S. Singlehanded Championship not only delivered thrilling racing but also set a new precedent for what national sailing events can look like in the foiling era. For full results click here.