US Sailing announces Inaugural US WingFoil Championship

US Sailing announces Inaugural US WingFoil Championship © Ryan Taylor / Salty Brother

US Sailing and St. Francis Yacht Club (StFYC) in San Francisco, California, have joined together to announce the first-ever US WingFoil Championship being held August 9-11, 2024, in San Francisco.

WingFoiling is one of the fastest growing new classes in the sport of sailing, and the heavy breeze conditions and challenging currents of San Francisco Bay are ideal for testing skills in this up-and-coming class.

StFYC has been at the forefront of the sport's development, with countless members and staff participating in sailing and dozens of athletes competing in the weekly WingFoiling series, held throughout the summer. StFYC offers courses in this class for junior sailors and hosted the first WingFoiling Pacific Coast Championship in 2023.

This inaugural championship will give the best WingFoil athletes a national platform to showcase their skills before an American audience. Registration is currently open, with late fees beginning after July 16.

"As a fast growing, exciting part of our sport, US Sailing is thrilled to establish a national event for WingFoil sailors," said US Sailing's SVP of Programs and Services Andrew Clouston. "St. Francis Yacht Club and San Francisco Bay are exceptional venues that will no doubt offer great racing for the sailors. This event has the potential to be one of the biggest US Sailing Championships yet!"

The event format allows competitors to bring their own equipment, so it welcomes all boards, foils, and wings that conform to the WingFoil Open Class rules. The championship is open to anyone - there is no selection process.

A total of thirteen races are planned over three days, with one distance race included in the schedule. Course racing will be conducted on the San Francisco Bay city front, while the distance race will be from the city front to the Berkeley Pier and back.

"The first ever U.S. National Championship is set to dazzle competitors and spectators as the ultimate debut for Wingfoiling on a national stage in America," said Geoff Headington, Regatta Chair at StFYC. "Crissy Field, with its legendary winds, wild currents and waves, is the perfect competition venue to challenge these athletes, and to put on a show for spectators. Get ready for an awesome experience if you're competing and a real spectacle if you're watching from the beach or St. Francis Yacht Club!"