In what was a testing week for all competitors, Louis Tilly from NSW (RPAYC Member and Pittwater sailor) has taken the title of 2025 Australian WASZP Champion.
The 2025 Australian WASZP National Championships, presented by TasFreight, were held from 23rd to 26th January from the Sandy Bay Sailing Club, on the Derwent and just south of Hobart. Conditions ranged from millpond light to steep wind-against-tide wavy 20knot Derwent sea breezes. One consistent requirement was for sailors to manage big shifts.
The tussle for the remaining podium places was tight with four points separating three sailors. In the end, former national champion Conall Green from Geelong took 2nd with Nicholas Dunne 3rd (Townsville) just pipping local sailor Hugo Alison.
In accepting the Trophy from SBSC Commodore, Jory Linscott, Louis thanked the club, volunteers and race officials before recognising support from his family, coaches, training partners, the RPAYC and his sponsors, Zhik, Vakaros and Ronstan. He said “Winning the Nationals has been a real focus for me.''
In addition to Louis, RPAYC was well represented by Ollie Ross, Gary Essex and Charlie Snell with Will Troop taking 5th overall and Jervis Tilly gaining back-to-back National Super Master titles.
The event in Hobart was the first anywhere in the world with the new WASZP rudder. These were fitted to the fleet two days before the event and proved a real hit. With higher top speeds, improved glide and almost vent free foiling, the WASZP is stepping into a new era.
