The post-Marseille era for the Swiss delegation

Olympic Games

Our Swiss sailors weren’t there to make up the numbers, they were there to perform. While Maud Jayet and the Schneiter/De Planta duo were clearly aiming for a medal, the others were hoping for at least an Olympic diploma. The balance sheet, marked by a certain disappointment, is nonetheless tinged with satisfaction and relief.

Half-hearted objectives

The Swiss delegation in Marseille had the wind in their sails, represented in five disciplines, with solid podium hopes. Maud Jayet, double vice-world champion in ILCA 6, and the Schneiter/De Planta duo, silver medallists at the Worlds and Europeans in 49er, had the highest ambitions. In Formula Kite, Elena Lengwiler, who is on the rise, had brilliantly won her qualification by winning The Last Chance Regatta, before finishing 6th at the World Championships. Not forgetting Elia Colombo in iQFoil and the Siegenthaler/Mermod tandem in 470, who also put in fine performances in preparation. Alas, their dreams of medals were dashed as the Medal Races progressed, and our athletes had to make do with Olympic diplomas.

Overcoming disappointment

More than six months after their return from Marseille, the Swiss sailors look back on their performances for Skippers. While disappointment is palpable, there are no regrets—everyone is convinced they gave it their all. And one word comes up often: relief. Elia Colombo from Ticino, who finished 7th in iQFoil, explains: “Even though I didn’t make it to the podium, this result is the best ever achieved by Switzerland in windsurfing. After the Medal Race, I immediately felt relief: I had given everything, without making any major mistakes. The Games are so intense that you’re relieved when it’s over.” For the Schneiter/De Planta duo, the disappointment quickly gave way to pride. “Finishing 8th was initially disappointing, but with some perspective, we realized that we were close to the podium all week. The conditions were unpredictable and the races were tight. We gave everything. With Arno, we remain proud of our past two years, which included some great podium finishes,” says Sébastien Schneiter. Another major contender from the Swiss Sailing Team (SST), Maud Jayet, struggled to come to terms with her fourth-place finish: “Missing the podium by so little was tough. The first few days after the Games weren’t easy, but getting back to normal life helped. I quickly resumed my studies and focused on new sporting projects, particularly with SailGP.”

A System to Improve?

Even though the last medal was won more than 50 years ago (editor’s note: Louis Noverraz, Bernard Dunand and Marcel Stern won bronze at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City), Swiss Sailing is still well supported by Swiss Olympic, as Christian Scherrer, CEO of the Swiss Sailing Team, points out: “We are ranked at the highest level of Swiss Olympic support, which is not a matter of course for a ‘small’ federation like ours. That doesn’t mean, however, that the SST doesn’t need an additional budget, outside Swiss Olympic, to better support our athletes and the next generation.” In fact, to carry out their campaign successfully, Swiss sailors also have to resort to private funding, while structural support from the ESS remains, according to some, sometimes insufficient. Maud Jayet is lucid: “We are sorely lacking in resources compared to the major sailing nations. This is particularly noticeable during preparation. Elia Colombo agrees: “I had the feeling that the entire budget had been invested in the weeks leading up to the Games. Everything has to be beautiful and perfect, but what matters to us athletes is efficiency and performance. In 2023, the year I qualified, I was only able to benefit from the services of an ESS coach for the Test Event and the World Championships, whereas the essential part is played during preparation.” As for Elena Lengwiler, she didn’t officially join Team Elite until November 2023. Yet, without rancor, she admits: “Preparation with the ESS was short but qualitative.” Despite some disappointment in the Swiss camp, Sébastien Schneiter, satisfied with the support provided by ESS, emphasizes: “This is the best collective performance ever. These good results are very encouraging for the future of Swiss sailing, and may well lead to even more support in the future.”

Who’s back for another cycle?

Not all the athletes have yet made up their minds about another Olympic campaign. Some, like Elena Lengwiler, have already resumed training: “I’ve started preparing for Los Angeles. The support of ESS is a real asset for this new cycle, even if I still have to secure long-term funding for my project.” Maud Jayet also has her sights set on 2028, while focusing this year on her role as SailGP strategist. For his part, Elia Colombo plans to relaunch a campaign, but to take the time to organize it properly: “I feel a great sense of emulation in my canton and benefit from better support than before.” The Schneiter/De Planta and Siegenthaler/Mermod duos have yet to make up their minds. One thing is certain: “If we continue, it will be together,” says Yves Mermod. The same is true of the Schneiter/De Planta pair, who are giving priority to SailGP this season.