The Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix begins in Geneva this weekend, bringing light-air racing to the only freshwater venue of the season.
All twelve national teams trained on Lake Geneva on Friday, testing new light-air foils ahead of two days of racing starting Saturday at 3.30 pm CEST.
New Zealand’s Black Foils lead the championship standings on 70 points, with Emirates GBR on 68 and Australia’s BONDS Flying Roos on 67. Spain sits fourth with 64.
Tom Slingsby, skipper of the Flying Roos, said the quick turnaround after Saint-Tropez was welcome. “We’ve just got to focus on ourselves … you have less time to dwell on it all,” he said.
France’s Quentin Delapierre called the campaign “a difficult season” but said his crew were pushing to finish strongly. “If we do well here and in Cadiz, we’ll have had a good season,” he said.
Teams will race with new T-Foils and rudders designed for lighter winds. Slingsby, who trialled the package on Thursday, said: “It’s going to bring the windspeed needed to foil down … the boat performed the best it’s ever performed.”
The event is SailGP’s third consecutive sellout, with thousands expected at the Race Stadium and along the shoreline.
For the home team, driver Sebastian Schneiter said the aim was simple. “For us it’s all about this event … the results show we can win races,” he said.
Emirates GBR’s Hannah Mills said conditions could open the field. “The Spanish have been strong in lighter breezes … any team has a shot at the podium,” she said.
Racing continues through Sunday, with live coverage in Switzerland on Blue Sport. Full broadcast details are at SailGP.com/Watch
