A dream start for the Black Foils
The first-ever SailGP event in Switzerland began with Peter Burling’s Black Foils firing on all cylinders. In Race 1 the Kiwis hit the line at speed, foiled around the outside of the fleet, and controlled the race from the first mark.
They finished in 6:25, 17 seconds ahead of Denmark and 42 seconds clear of Great Britain. It was the kind of polished performance that suggested the Black Foils would dominate Geneva.
Race 2 penalties and a home-water lift
But fortunes changed quickly. In Race 2, the Black Foils were caught in a mark-room infringement with Germany and penalised. Forced to drop back, they were left battling mid-fleet. A late surge pulled them to fifth, but the opportunity for another win was gone.
Australia’s Tom Slingsby took full advantage. The Flying Roos found the breeze, executed clean foiling manoeuvres, and powered away to victory. Behind them, Switzerland delivered the performance of the day. Roared on by home fans, Sebastien Schneiter’s crew finished second, an emotional high point for the event. Great Britain kept their rhythm with another third.
By Race 3 the lake was at its trickiest. Ride times dropped below 40%, with teams often wallowing off their foils. France, though, read the conditions perfectly. Quentin Delapierre’s crew were airborne early, kept their flight through manoeuvres, and sailed clear to win by more than a minute.
Canada matched their top speed of 57.5 km/h to take second, while Australia again proved reliable with a third. GBR secured fourth to round out a perfectly consistent day.
For the Black Foils it was the opposite story. Stuck in traffic at the start, they never found a lane to recover and finished 11th — their lowest result of the season.
Overnight standings
After three races, Australia lead with 25 points from a 4–1–3 scoreline. Great Britain’s consistency puts them second on 22, while Switzerland hold third on 18. Canada’s resurgence in Race 3 lifts them to fourth with 17 points.
The Black Foils sit fifth on 16 — close enough to strike back, but with work to do if they are to reach the three-boat final. France’s Race 3 win carries them into sixth on 15 points.
Another light-air test to come
Geneva’s light winds defined day one, and forecasts suggest more of the same tomorrow. That means the fleet will again rely on the new light-air foils and precise manoeuvring to stay competitive.
For Burling’s Black Foils, the mission is simple: recapture the brilliance of Race 1 and stay consistent in the fickle breeze. For Australia and Great Britain, the goal will be to maintain their lead, while Switzerland and France will hope to turn flashes of speed into full regatta momentum.
On a lake where fortune shifts in moments, day two promises just as much drama.
Points
Fleet Race Total by end of Race 3
- BONDS Flying Roos – 25 pts
- Emirates GBR – 23 pts
- Switzerland – 19 pts
- Northstar (Canada) – 17 pts
- Black Foils (New Zealand) – 16 pts
- France – 15 pts
- ROCKWOOL Racing (Denmark) – 14 pts
- Germany by Deutsche Bank – 12 pts
- Los Gallos (Spain) – 12 pts
- United States – 7 pts
- Red Bull Italy – 3 pts
- Mubadala Brazil – 2 pts
