SailGP returns to Lake Geneva this weekend as teams prepare for one of the final tests of the 2026 Season that has been thrown wide-open with injuries, last minute crew changes and a light winds forecast all in the mix.
Lisa Darmanin grabs the attention of various team members after Fridays press conference for some revealing comments on the recent events off the water and discuss the strategic challenges of navigating lighter winds, the importance of team cohesion with new personnel, and their focus on refining processes to secure a spot in the grand final.
After the final European SailGP event this weekend 19-20 Sept, the America’s Cup (AC38) swings back into action with the second Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta in Naples from 22 – 27 Sep with AC38 teams racing in their AC40s with both senior and youth and women teams . . . Before they move into the full-on AC75 phase in May 2027.
These two very different events will then continue to overlap, with many crew members involved in both, and as we have seen there is a considerable scarcity of trained crew to go round, which is only likely to grow with four SailGP events crossing with AC38 in 2027.
But first we have the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in Geneva. This is likely to be a light weather affair, which could inject a considerable amount of jeopardy, if not the crash and burn incidents which have helped build a considerable media audience, and drive the growth of SailGP as a commercial package.
The target is a top three place on the Overall Leaderboard by Abu Dahbi for the Grand Final (28 – 29 Nov)
With Tom Slingsby and Bonds Flying Roos clear leader on 85 pts, and Diego Botin and Los Gallos second with 68 pts, the received wisdom is that the third spot, currently occupied by the U.S. SailGP Team on 56 pts is the vulnerable one.
Especially since the U.S. driver Taylor Cranfield is out injured, as is his reserve Harry Melges, which led to the newly “unemployed” Martine Grael being hired to take the wheel for the weekend, alongside Anna Weis, part of the U.S. crew since 2022.
Sailing in Group A they will face Nathan Outteridge and Artemis in fourth place just one out back, as well as Los Gallos and to add a personal touch, Mubadala Brazil, which Grael has just departed now driven by Paul Goodison.
Also scrambling for a top three place is Dylan Fletcher and Emirates GBR, presently in fifth with 51 pts, and searching for that pace that took them to the Title in 2025. The signs have been there but just not with any consistency. This could be their last realistic chance to claim a Grand Final place.
The Brits are in Group B and face Championship leaders Bonds Flying Roos, sixth placed Giles Scott and NorthStar Canada, and home favourites Explora Journeys Swiss keen to take a home win.
Racing in Geneva gets underway at 15:30 local time, 14:30 UK time – on both Saturday and Sunday.
