In an ever more competitive league, Tom Slingsby has shown his intent from the outset. As the season builds towards an exciting finale, all eyes now turn to Geneva.
Same team. Same drive. Only better. Sailing faster, flying higher and closer than ever before. In 2026, the championship’s top teams have reached new heights of speed, performance and risk-taking. With the addition of the Swedish Team Artemis Racing to the league lineup, first announced in Geneva in September 2025, securing a place on the podium has become increasingly difficult. It comes as no surprise that the Australians led by Tom Slingsby continue to be the team to beat in SailGP. After two frustrating seasons without a title, the cool-headed skipper came out firing in 2026, claiming victory in three of the first four Sail Grand Prix events of the season (Perch, Auckland and Rio de Janeiro).
A year earlier, Australia already made its mark on the lake course at the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix, finishing runner-up behind Germany and narrowly ahead of Switzerland. And with Tom Slingsby determined to improve on that result, he is well placed to earn himself a memorable “lake ovation”, as he quipped after the first Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix.
There will be no shortage of challengers eager to claim glory to the sound of foghorns and bells. Dylan Fletscher, last season’s big winner, is back up front again in 2026 with his Emirates GBR team. Once again, he could count on Hannah Mills, the double Olympic gold medallist and tactical strategist.
Geneva’s spectators will also be watching Peter Burling closely. After an incident-filled start to the season, the Kiwi skipper is still expected to finish strongly. Like all great champions, the three-time America’s Cup winner is even more formidable when he has something to prove. BUT IT IS YET TO BE CONFIRMED IF THEY WILL HAVE A BOAT READY FOR GENEVA.
Just like everywhere else this season, the battle for the podium in Geneva promises to be every bit as fierce. Spain have returned to the level of performance and consistency that made them champions in 2024. Despite being newcomers, Sweden has a formidable team of SailGP regulars led by Australian Nathan Outteridge and Briton Chris Draper. Racing a stone’s throw from home, Quentin Delapierre’s French flair should create a few sparks.
Against this fiercely competitive backdrop, Sébastien Schneiter and his team-mates will be looking to equal or surpass last year’s result, and to prove that with five out of six crew members (83.3%) from Lake Geneva, the Swiss team is also capable of top speeds and performance.