An Oak Bay-based sailor is at the top of a new sport just a year after first stepping into her latest vessel.

Grace Poole came aboard her first hydrofoiling sailboat last summer at a demonstration and spent all winter learning how to sail it.

B次元官网网址淚 tried that and liked it so I just kept going with it,B次元官网网址� Poole said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 so cool, you get it flying and itB次元官网网址檚 just so much faster than these other boats IB次元官网网址檝e been sailing.B次元官网网址�

Waszps are high-speed hydrofoiling sailboats that recently exploded in popularity after being endorsed by Sail GP as a stepping stone into professional sailing, Poole explained. The waszp can get up to 40 km/h.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 pretty crazy when we have a whole fleet of boats doing that, and coming in to the finish line together itB次元官网网址檚 really fun,B次元官网网址� Poole said.

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Already a national champion in other vessels, the young Royal Victoria Yacht Club sailor finished third in the youth and womenB次元官网网址檚 categories at the recent Pan American championships and top woman in Canadians. The podium finishes leave her ranked third in the world for women.

The two regattas, both held in Kingston, Ont., were her first in the waszp. It was also her first encounter with coaching in the sport.

B次元官网网址淚 completely figured this out myself,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淢y experience in the 29er and 49er were helpful, but thereB次元官网网址檚 definitely a lot to learn.B次元官网网址�

She spent the last year gathering videos, recording videos and comparing videos as she honed her craft.

The biggest difference is speed and thereB次元官网网址檚 no time to overthink B次元官网网址� but thatB次元官网网址檚 also the appeal.

B次元官网网址淵ou have to know what to do. Everything happens so much quicker which makes it really fun.B次元官网网址�

How you set the sail impacts hover speed and itB次元官网网址檚 a fine balance to control lift is on the main foil and on the rudder. The combination matters. Too much lift will draw the boat right out of the water and send it crashing back down.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really tight between boats, everyone gets off the start line together,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 all about who can stay foiling the whole time B次元官网网址� and really push the limits of how fast you can go.B次元官网网址�

Next up is North AmericanB次元官网网址檚 in Swampscott, Mass. Aug. 3 to 6.

B次元官网网址淚 look forward to continuing learning there and working on my starts and getting faster around other boats,B次元官网网址�

Poole also hopes to see foiling grow,

Now with some support from WeCanFoil, some experience and a couple regattas under her belt, Poole would love to help the sport grow.

B次元官网网址淔or anyone wanting to get into it I have the knowledge now and IB次元官网网址漨 happy to hare that with other people,B次元官网网址�

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