The 2024 U.S. WingFoil Championship was an exhilarating event showcasing the rapid growth and excitement surrounding this discipline in sailing. The inaugural championship, held over three days of intense competition, drew top WingFoil athletes from across the country to vie for the first-ever US WingFoil Championship title.
The championship took place in picturesque San Francisco, California, at St. Francis Yacht Club, providing ideal conditions for WingFoiling due to San Francisco Bay’s characteristically strong winds. Competitors faced winds ranging from 10 to 34 knots and relatively smooth water due to the incoming current under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge
The event attracted a diverse group of competitors, ranging from seasoned professionals to up-and-coming talent of all ages. The youngest competitor was 13 year old Quincy Radkowski, and 13 of the 51 competitors were under age 19, while 11 competitors were in the 50+ GrandMasters group. The championship featured 14 races, with each race testing different aspects of WingFoiling, including speed, maneuverability, and endurance. The format included a mix of windward-leeward, slalom, and long-distance courses, ensuring thrilling and dynamic competition.
“The competition, athleticism, sportsmanship and community at this event was phenomenal” said US Sailing Youth Racing Manager John Pearce. “The front of the fleet was very tight, and everyone who competed showed a lot of grit and determination, especially during Saturday’s long distance race to the Berkley Pier and back. Huge thanks to St Francis Yacht Club for hosting a world-class regatta on and off the water. This new National Championship has a very bright future!”
The regatta saw fierce competition, with several standout performances. Ultimately, the championship title was clinched by Johnny Heineken, who demonstrated exceptional skill throughout the regatta.
- Johnny Heineken
- JP Lattanzi
- Jacob Rosenberg
- Kai Mirel
- John Subranni
“We had a really tight top of the fleet, with really good, mixed-up racing, and it was awesome” said newly crowned US National Champion Johnny Heineken during his awards speech. “I’m super glad you guys came. I’m exhausted and ready to go to sleep! Thank you to everyone who put the regatta on, the race committee, the volunteers, the parents, and I can’t wait for next year.”
Additional trophies were awarded to the top competitors in Youth (U-19), Female, Masters (35+), and Grandmasters (50+) disciplines.
U-19:
- Makani Andrews
- Kailan Robinson
- Morgan Headington
Female:
- Fiona Wylde
- Avala Warner
- Yuri Namikawa
Masters:
- Johnny Heineken
- John Subranni
- Billy Ackerman
Grandmasters:
- Chip Wasson
- David DuPont
- Jason Morton
“This event is really unique,” said Makani Andrews, 2024 Bronze Medalist at Youth Sailing World Championships, in an interview with ABC7 news. “In other sailing disciplines there is usually a sail and a mast connected to a boat, but we are physically holding our wings in the air, and it lets you do a lot of things like freestyle and also racing.”
The 2024 U.S. WingFoil Championship was a resounding success, celebrating the dynamic and fast-paced nature of WingFoiling. The event not only crowned new national champions but also highlighted the sport’s rapid development and the growing community of dedicated athletes. As WingFoiling continues to evolve, this championship set a high standard for future competitions and showcased the thrilling potential of this exciting sailing discipline.
Off the water, competitors enjoyed complimentary Black Seal Rum and Ginger Beer from Goslings, including the brand-new peach flavor. Each competitor was gifted a custom Goslings trucker hat and an event-branded changing mat and wet bag from Gill. Armstrong Foils was on-site with their expert team to answer questions on equipment.
US Sailing would like to thank local sponsors, Simba, Sunski, Cabrinha, Ozone, Dermatone, F-One, and Manera, for their support of the 2024 U.S. WingFoil Championship.
For photos of the 2024 U.S. WingFoil Championship, visit: https://usst.photoshelter.com/galleries/C0000cETlicxfMoA/2024-U-S-WingFoil-Championship
For full results and more information, visit: https://www.ussailing.org/competition/championships/2024-u-s-wingfoil-championship/