American Magic welcomed sailors and partners from around the world on Monday, March 23 to the American Magic High Performance Center (AMHPC) in Pensacola for the official Opening Ceremony of the 2026 International WASZP Games, marking the start of championship week on Pensacola Bay.
The ceremony brought together athletes representing a rapidly expanding global WASZP fleet as North America hosted the class’s premier international event for the first time. The gathering celebrated both the continued growth of the WASZP class and Pensacola’s emergence as one of the world’s leading venues for high-performance foiling.
Hosted by Pensacola Yacht Club, the 2026 International WASZP Games run March 24–28 following nearly two weeks of elite foiling activity on Pensacola Bay. The event is expected to deliver one of the largest fleets of foiling dinghies ever assembled in the Americas, with competitors traveling from around the world.
Pensacola’s natural sailing conditions have played a major role in attracting the event. Pensacola Bay offers warm spring temperatures, consistent thermal breezes, and protected flat water created by surrounding peninsulas and sandbars along the Gulf Coast. These conditions provide an ideal environment for high-performance foiling competition and training.
Doug DeVos, Co-Founder of American Magic, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome the next generation of sailors to Pensacola. The American Magic High Performance Center is built for moments like this—bringing talent together and helping shape the future of the sport.”
The AMHPC was recently designated as the official North American training base for SailGP teams under a multi-season agreement beginning in 2026. The facility provides SailGP teams with access to world-class on-water conditions, technical infrastructure, and shore-based performance resources to support year-round training and development.
The WASZP class plays an important role in the broader growth of foiling by creating accessible entry points for sailors developing high-performance skills. As the largest single-class foiling fleet in the world, the WASZP provides a pathway for athletes to gain experience in foiling dinghies before progressing into more advanced platforms and professional racing circuits.
With a growing international fleet, expanding competition calendar, and world-class sailing conditions, Pensacola continues to reinforce its role as America’s home of high-performance sailing.
About American Magic
American Magic is building the premier high-performance sailing platform in the United States. Established in 2017 to challenge for the America’s Cup, the team has expanded to integrate U.S. Olympic pathways and SailGP, and to develop further Women’s and Youth programs. Based at the newly opened High Performance Center in Pensacola, Florida, American Magic combines elite athletic preparation with advanced design, engineering and manufacturing technologies. The team is dedicated to winning at the highest level while creating a sustainable future for American sailing.
About Pensacola Yacht Club
Founded in 1908, the Pensacola Yacht Club – located on a 17-acre site at the mouth of Pensacola Bay’s Bayou Chico – has long been known as The South’s Finest Yacht Club—promoting world-class sailing, youth development, and competitive excellence on one of the most beautiful and technically dynamic bays in North America.
About WASZP
WASZP is an international one-design foiling Dinghy class featuring a single-handed hydrofoiling dinghy designed by Andrew McDougall. Capable of flying above the water at speeds exceeding 20 knots, the WASZP delivers high-performance racing in an accessible and athlete-driven format. Since its launch, the class has experienced rapid global growth, with active fleets across Europe, North America, Australasia, and emerging regions worldwide. Known for innovative race formats, including fast-paced sprint racing, WASZP attracts sailors from Olympic pathways, professional circuits, and the next generation of foiling talent, helping shape the future of modern sailing.
