A dramatic day of racing unfolded on Sydney Harbour as SailGP’s 12-strong fleet battled it out on day one of the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix. With France back in the mix after a delayed start to their 2025 campaign and the USA missing in action following a capsize, the stage was set for an electrifying showdown. And it was Switzerland who emerged victorious in the first race of the event, edging out Spain and Australia in a tight finish.
High stakes at the start line
With just seconds to go before the race start, tension was high among the 11 competing teams. The Swiss judged their approach to perfection, nailing their timing and accelerating cleanly towards Mark 1. France, led by Quentin Delapierre, also got off to a blistering start, marking their return to the competition with an early lead.
Meanwhile, the USA’s absence was notable—yesterday’s capsize left them with significant damage, forcing them to sit out day one. The fleet had to navigate an even more congested start box, making for an intense opening sequence.
France leads early, but the pack closes in
France set the pace from Mark 1, proving their race craft hadn’t dulled despite their time away from competition. But penalties quickly reshaped the field—Italy, one of Auckland’s standout performers, found themselves in trouble after an infringement involving Brazil, sending them tumbling down the leaderboard.
With each team looking for the fastest lines through Sydney Harbour’s challenging wind shifts, Switzerland, Australia, and Spain emerged as the key contenders. The Aussies, led by Tom Slingsby, were hungry to defend their home waters after their Auckland triumph, but the Swiss were relentless in their pursuit of the lead.
Shifting conditions test the fleet
As the race progressed, tactical decisions became crucial. At Gate 2, the teams split—France and Switzerland opted for one side of the course, while Australia and Spain took the other. The Swiss made the right call, capitalising on stronger wind pressure to surge ahead.
Australia, never a team to back down, kept the pressure on. Slingsby’s crew looked poised to take control at Gate 5, but a costly misjudgment forced them into an extra manoeuvre, allowing Switzerland to hold their advantage.
Final charge: Switzerland holds firm
With two short legs to go, the race remained wide open. Spain made an aggressive move at the final mark, attempting to squeeze inside Australia, but the manoeuvre was too ambitious, forcing them wide. Switzerland, calm under pressure, seized the opportunity to extend their lead and cross the finish line first.
Spain’s bold tactics earned them second place, while Australia had to settle for third. France, Germany, Denmark, and Canada followed, with New Zealand struggling to break into the top ranks. Italy and Brazil rounded out the pack, their early penalties proving too much to overcome.
A Swiss statement in Sydney
Sébastien Schneiter and his Swiss crew could hardly have scripted a better opening race. After a tough 2024 season, this win signals their intent for 2025. But with three more races to come in Sydney, the battle is far from over.
Australia, Spain, and France will be desperate to strike back, while the rest of the fleet will be looking to recover from their opening setbacks. And with the USA expected to rejoin the action, day two promises even more fireworks on Sydney Harbour.
For now, though, it’s Switzerland at the top of the leaderboard—a well-earned reward for precision, patience, and perfectly executed race strategy.
