America One Racing Wingfoil Squad Update

Last year, Leandro Spina, Executive Director of American One Racing, approached me with an exciting proposal: to lead a project using WingFoiling as a development platform for high-performance sailing. The "Foiling Pathway " aims to introduce foiling at the earliest stages of sailing development through sustainable classes—specifically, the Waszp and WingFoiling—helping young sailors acquire the skills needed to perform at the highest level on larger foiling boats in the future.
When it comes to sustainability, I can’t think of a better choice than WingFoiling. The entire setup fits into a 50-pound board bag, takes off in as little as 6 knots of wind, and already boasts better VMG than windsurfing. Not only is the gear highly competitive, but its affordability is unmatched compared to any other sailing class. WingFoiling presents a huge opportunity for the resurgence of sailing worldwide, and I’m thrilled to be part of such an innovative program.
Since 2023, we’ve run multiple training camps in Hawaii, California, and Florida. This summer, for the first time, we will take the squad abroad to compete in a World Cup event—an exciting milestone that has the entire team motivated and pushing their limits.
In February, we had the privilege of hosting Kamil Manowiecki—current WingFoiling Vice World Champion—for a high-level training camp in Hawaii. Our objective was clear: to evaluate our performance across all key areas and identify the critical steps needed to close the gap at the elite level.
In April, we welcomed another exceptional guest athlete: Sean Herbert, New Zealand’s National Champion. Training alongside Sean proved to be incredibly valuable. His strengths and style differ significantly from Kamil’s, offering our squad—and myself—a broader, more nuanced understanding of what it takes to perform at the top of this class.
We were also fortunate to collaborate with Quantum Racing expert Tom Burnham, (America’s Cup coach for American Magic), who joined us during onshore debriefs. While his primary focus was the Waszp class, Tom’s contributions extended to our group. With experience spanning five America’s Cup campaigns, his insights into high-performance racing and the role of technology were nothing short of inspiring.
Our next training camp will take place at Kaneohe Yacht Club, Hawaii, from May 23rd to 31st—our final push before the World Cup in Silvaplana (SUI), scheduled for June 10–14.

Adrien

About America One Racing:  America One Racing (A1R) is dedicated to developing high-potential sailors and preparing them for success on the world stage. A1R provides athletes with elite coaching, performance planning, and cutting-edge resources to compete in top international events, including the Olympic Games, Pan American Games, and Youth World Championships. A1R’s commitment to youth development takes place through its Foiling Platform and squad training.   Building on America One’s 25-year legacy of advancing sailing in the U.S., A1R continues to shape the future of the sport, ensuring American sailors have the tools to reach the podium. For more information, visit www.americaoneracing.us.