5 Things you need to know ahead of the Switzerland Sail Grand Prix

Get the lowdown ahead of this weekend’s action in Geneva

Published 09/17/2026

The 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship battle heats up in Geneva this weekend with the first of three crucial events.

Thirteen F50s are set to contest the second edition of the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix on Lac Léman, bringing the curtain down on the European leg of an unforgettable season.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of racing this weekend (September 19-20).

1. Australia secures Grand Final ticket

The BONDS Flying Roos were left frustrated as they finished behind the U.S. SailGP Team, winners of the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia, last time out.

But the nine season points Tom Slingsby’s crew picked up were enough to ensure they cannot finish lower than P3 in the SailGP Championship standings – unless they’re hit with penalty points in the three remaining events.

That means the Aussies should maintain their proud record of finishing in the top three of every season of SailGP since its inception in 2019.

Runners-up to Los Gallos in 2024 and Emirates GBR in 2025, the Flying Roos will want to ensure they avoid an unwelcome hat-trick in Abu Dhabi in November.

2. Expect light air and big wings

Lac Léman is a unique venue on the SailGP circuit and brings plenty of challenges the fleet will need to navigate.

It is the only freshwater track on the calendar and this makes a big difference. Fresh water is less dense than sea water, which means it takes more time to get up and foiling in the first place.

However, the good news is once foiling, teams can expect to go that bit faster because there is less resistance on the foils. With the wind forecast expected to be light due to the venue’s topography, it’s anticipated teams will utilize the light-air configuration with the big 27.5 meter wing.

3. Configuration considerations for the fleet

The result of that forecast is that teams will almost certainly have to drop weight - and therefore crew members - across the weekend.

With the recently introduced rule that there must be two athletes tethered behind the wheel, that could mean a re-think for a number of teams – including the U.S. SailGP Team.

In lighter conditions on Super Sunday in Valencia, flight controller Hans Henken was seen in pod three, on the grinding the handles to provide wing trimmer Michael Menninger with the power to bring the wing in. Meanwhile, Anna Weis, usually G1 and jib trimmer, operated the jib from the back of the boat in the strategist’s position.

4. A new driver for Geneva

With Taylor Canfield (upper body) and Harry Melges IV (leg) both ruled out of the Switzerland Sail Grand Prix, the U.S. SailGP Team moved quickly to bring in two-time Olympic gold medalist Martine Grael.

The first female driver in SailGP and the first to deliver a race win in New York last season, Grael takes the wheel for the U.S.SailGP Team this weekend.

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2026 Geneva Race Poster

5. Time running out to make a move

Ten points separate Emirates GBR in P5 from NorthStar (P6) and DS Automobiles Team France (P7) with three events to go.

Realistically, both teams will need an event win in the remaining events in order to force their way into Grand Final contention as the 2026 Season reaches its climax.

With Australia as good as locked for one of three spots in the winner-takes-all Grand Final in Abu Dhabi, just 17 points separate four teams between P2 and P5.

It’s reaching the stage where it’s now or never for those with Championship aspirations and there’s everything to play for.

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