V2 RUDDER DISTRIBUTION UPDATE
We are now in the process of clearing our final pre-order deposit customers, with 3x shipments made this week.
- 75 Rudders have been shipped to our EU hub to top up the original shipment. This will give coverage to our EU agents/customers and will be delivered next week.
- There is a shipment that will land in the UK next week to service pre-order deposits.
- There is a shipment that has already been delivered to France in anticipation of this weekend’s event.
There are another 120 foils that will be ready to send to Europe by the middle of next week. Once the pre-deposit list has been cleared any excess stock will be available to purchase by customers not on the pre-deposit list and agents.
The response has been and continues to be incredible. We are super excited to have over 400 foils in customers hands by the end of March, we expect this number is going to grow exponentially throughout 2025.
INTRODUCING THE 7.5 SAIL
The much-anticipated 7.5 sail is now available for purchase! Sailors can get their hands on the new rig by heading to the WASZP shop or contacting their WASZP Agent.
The 7.5 uses the same bottom mast section as the 6.9 sail and comes in three striking colour options: Grey, Purple and Red.
The 7.5 fills the existing sailor weight gap between the 6.9 and 8.2 rigs. It will allow lightweight sailors to race with a sail that perfectly suits their size. A far superior product to the 6.9, the 7.5 will unlock a new level of competitive racing in the class, particularly in the women’s and junior divisions, with a target weight range of 50-75kg.
The 7.5 promises a much closer performance to the 8.2 than the 6.9 offered and in some conditions the 7.5 is equal to the 8.2. In a mixed fleet, lightweight sailors will no longer have to suffer the frustration of being underpowered on the 6.9 in light conditions or overpowered on the 8.2 in heavier conditions: the 7.5 will be competitive across the entire wind range.
“I am so pleased with the way the 7.5 has turned out. It has been in the pipeline for a long time, motivated by a need to do more to make the class appealing to women and junior sailors. After all my on-water testing, I have now realised the 7.5 is perfect for me too! Hovering around the 70kg mark and much less physical than I used to be, the combination of the 7.5 and the new rudder makes the boat feel beautifully balanced…and fast!” Andrew McDougall | WASZP Managing Director and Designer
“As a smaller WASZP sailor who finds the 8.2 overpowering in over 15 knots, sailing the 7.5 I felt in control and as if bigger gusts were driving my boat forwards rather than pulling me sideways – the 7.5 in combination with the new rudder is game changing for the class” Bridget Conrad – 1st Woman | WASZP Global Rankings 2024
At major events, the 7.5 will develop into a dedicated fleet, which will grow rapidly and deliver competitive and rewarding racing on a global level.
“The 7.5 will transform the experience of the WASZP for so many sailors. It gives lightweight sailors and our incredibly talented WASZP women the opportunity to excel on a rig that is designed with them in mind. Expect the skill level in the women’s division to go through the roof and watch as the 7.5 fleet explodes. It won’t be long before we have the same number of 7.5s as 8.2s on start lines around the world!” Martin Evans | WASZP Global Class Manager
“The 7.5 is beautiful. It looks stunning and performs brilliantly. I love the design touches like the new window shape. In light winds I foil earlier; in medium winds, alongside the new V2 rudder, I can sail with much more windward heel and my speed and VMG shoot up; and In stronger winds it still feels forgiving. Put simply, I love it.” Helena Mills Bowers | UK WASZP Sailor.
How will the rig be integrated into events?
WASZP Games 2025: The class will be divided into an 8.2 fleet and a combined 7.5 and 6.9 fleet. A women’s prize will be awarded in the 8.2 and 7.5 fleet in 2025, by 2026 we envisage that there will be a standalone women’s fleet sailing on the 7.5. The 7.5 and 6.9 fleet will recognise an U16 prize category for men and women whilst the youngest prize category in the 8.2 will be U19.
Foiling Week Garda: There will be no separation of rigs at this year’s Foiling Week in Garda. This is to allow the maximum number of WASZPs to attend the event and will provide the perfect opportunity for quality comparison data between sails.
EuroCups: The decision to separate rigs at EuroCups will be made on a case-by-case basis. In 2025, expect all EuroCup fleets to be mixed but this may change for the final events in France and Spain if there is enough of each rig to support separate starts and high-quality competition for all.
Domestic events: National Class Associations will decide the division of fleets. However, the 6.9 will never race alone. Either all rigs will mix, or the 7.5 and 6.9 will combine.
We have had strong consultation with different segments of the fleet including a “Women in WASZP” working group that have helped shape this roll out. We will continue to monitor the evolution of the fleet and the 7.5m rig over the 2025 season and will help us to make decisions on fleet segmentation going forward.
This is an incredibly exciting time for the class, with more sailors, being more competitive and bigger fleets across the world. All this while maintaining our ethos of the most inclusive class worldwide that continues to break down barriers to entry.
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