There is nothing like racing and winning at home. And for Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team the pressure will be on when Geneva’s lakefront becomes the stage for the world’s best sailing athletes.
Last year, the Swiss athletes discovered that for the first time from the F50, they can hear the crowd. Even at full speed, focused on their manoeuvres and surrounded by the noise of the wind and the boat, the crew can hear the cheers coming from the shore . . . And especially the cowbells.
So this year, the team has one very Swiss request for its home crowd: Bring your cowbells! We can hear you from the boat and it makes a difference.
Over the past few months, the Swiss team has taken a significant step forward.
After an inconsistent start to the season, the team has steadily closed the gap to the frontrunner. Third in Halifax, they secured their first podium of the season and qualified for the first four-boat Final in SailGP history.
They backed it up in Portsmouth by reaching a second consecutive Final, finishing fourth. In Valencia in early September, they finished just four points short of another Final qualification.
Helm Sébastien Schneiter . . . “We’re more consistent now and, with the energy of the home crowd in Geneva, we have a real chance of winning our first Sail Grand Prix at home.”
Explora Swiss Team:
Driver: Sébastien Schneiter
Wing trimmer: Arnaud Psarofaghis
Flight controller: Bryan Mettraux
Grinder: Matt Gotrel
Grinder: Arno de Planta
Strategist: Maud Jayet
Reserve athlete: Nils Theuninck
Coach: Javi Torres
Coach: Bernie Cortes
Geneva hosts the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix 19 and 20 September 2026