Enel Rio Sail Grand Prix: a demanding weekend for DS Automobiles SailGP Team France in complex conditions with a reshuffled crew
For SailGP’s first-ever event in South America, DS Automobiles SailGP Team France returned to racing on the iconic Guanabara Bay in particularly challenging conditions. At the end of the weekend, won by the Australian team, the French finished 8th overall. Despite this result, the team holds onto 6th place in the 2026 Championship standings, in an extremely tight leaderboard where just five points separate 2nd from 6th, after nearly two months without racing.
Technical conditions and a wide-open weekend
Set against the spectacular backdrop of Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer, the conditions delivered a highly demanding racecourse. Light, unstable winds, heavily influenced by the surrounding terrain, made reading the racecourse extremely complex.
These conditions were the same for the entire fleet and resulted in a very open weekend. On day one, four different race winners emerged, highlighting the depth and unpredictability of the competition.
In this context, the ability to adapt quickly and execute clean manoeuvres while foiling proved decisive.
A return to racing with a rebuilding crew
After nearly two months without sailing and no extra sailing sessions, DS Automobiles SailGP Team France approached this event with a partially reshaped crew, featuring Glenn Ashby and Liv McKay.
Facing highly competitive and well-drilled teams, the French crew had to quickly rebuild its coordination. Despite this, the mindset within the team remained extremely positive, driven by the pleasure of being back on the water together and gradually rebuilding shared instincts.
Over the course of the weekend, the team showed steady progress, particularly in its ability to fight back through the fleet after challenging starts.
At the end of the first day, dominated by the Australians, the French sat in 8th place after four races.
Risk-taking that didn’t pay off in the final race
Day two confirmed the complexity of the racecourse, with slightly stronger but still highly unstable winds, requiring fast and committed decision-making.
In a tightly packed fleet, the French team had to take risks to stay in contention. In the final race, an aggressive late-start strategy in a highly constrained area did not pay off, resulting in a black flag penalty and disqualification.
Quentin Delapierre, Driver – DS Automobiles SailGP Team France:
“We received a black flag penalty at the start of the final race. We had set up a late engagement strategy in a very tight area, but we got caught out on timing and it cost us heavily. It’s obviously disappointing, but we’ll take the lessons and move forward for the rest of the season.
It was our first time racing in Rio, with a great atmosphere and a lot of fans. The racecourse is very specific, with wind heavily affected by the surrounding terrain, strong local effects and very technical racing lines. It’s an incredible setting and a unique stop on the calendar.”
Philippe Presti, Team Manager – DS Automobiles SailGP Team France:
“The start of the final race was extremely unstable, with plenty of opportunities but also significant risks. We had the right timing to launch, but the situation closed in front of us and that led to a penalty. It’s a strong safety rule at the start, and in those situations, the penalty is immediate.
Beyond that moment, this weekend needs to be seen in context. We were coming back after nearly two months without racing, with a partially renewed crew and no time to rebuild our automatic responses. In these conditions, and on what is probably the most technical racecourse on the circuit, the objective was to progress.
And on that front, the team delivered. We saw clear improvements every day — in coordination, in manoeuvres and in our ability to fight back in races.
There is naturally frustration, because we are a team that aims high. But that frustration is healthy — it will drive us forward. We’ll analyse everything in detail, continue to work on our processes and come back stronger in Bermuda.”
Manon Audinet: recovery on track
Absent from racing and replaced by Liv McKay, Manon Audinet shared an update during the weekend:
“It’s great to see the boat back racing. It’s not easy watching from the sidelines, but my recovery is going well. There’s still a bit of time before I’m back at 100%, but I’m working hard to return as soon as possible with the team.”
Despite the Auckland incident, the French strategist remains confident about her return to competition.
A weekend driven by partner activations
Beyond racing, the Rio Sail Grand Prix also provided an opportunity to deliver strong partner activations.
ALL Accor and Fairmont Rio hosted a special activation on the iconic Copacabana Beach, bringing together athletes and guests — including renowned surfer Pedro Scooby — for a beach tennis session in a unique setting. A moment of sharing and connection that reflects the team’s commitment to delivering premium experiences for its partners at the heart of SailGP.
Looking ahead
Despite a result below expectations, DS Automobiles SailGP Team France remains fully engaged in the championship fight, with an extremely tight leaderboard.
The team will now build on the lessons learned in Rio, continue its analysis work and strengthen its processes ahead of the next event.
Next Sail Grand Prix: Bermuda – May 9–10, 2026
ENEL SAIL GRAND PRIX I RIO RANKING
1.BONDS FLYING ROOS, Tom Slingsby
2.LOS GALLOS, Diego Botin
3.ARTEMIS, Nathan Outteridge
4.US. SAILGP TEAM, Taylor Canfield
5.ROCKWOOL RACING, Nicolai Sehested
6.GERMANY BY DEUTSCHE BANK, Erik Heil
7.RED BULL ITALY, Phil Robertson
8.DS AUTOMOBILES SAILGP TEAM FRANCE, Quentin Delapierre
9.MUBADALA BRAZIL, Martine Grael
10.NORTHSTAR, Giles Scott
11.SWITZERLAND, Sébastien Schneiter
12.EMIRATES GBR, Dylan Fletcher
13.BLACK FOILS DNS
The Black Foils are missing the Enel Sail Grand Prix due to damage sustained to their F50 following a collision during the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Auckland
ROLEX SAILGP CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON 2026 PROVISIONAL RANKING
1. BONDS FLYING ROOS, Tom Slingsby – 35 pts
2. EMIRATES GBR, Dylan Fletcher – 28 pts
3. US. SAILGP TEAM, Taylor Canfield – 27 pts
4. LOS GALLOS, Diego Botin – 25 pts
5. ARTEMIS, Nathan Outteridge – 23 pts
6. DS TEAM FRANCE, Quentin Delapierre – 23 pts
7. ROCKWOOL RACING, Nicolai Sehested – 17 pts
8. GERMANY BY DEUTSCHE BANK, Erik Heil – 15 pts
9. RED BULL ITALY, Phil Robertson – 15 pts
10. MUBADALA BRAZIL, Martine Grael – 7 pts
11. NORTHSTAR, Giles Scott – 7 pts
12. BLACK FOILS, Peter Burling – 2 pts
13. SWITZERLAND, Sébastien Schneiter – 1 pts
CREW & COACHS DS TEAM FRANCE SAISON 2026
Quentin Delapierre / pilot
Manon Audinet / strategist ( replaces by Liv McKay à Rio)
Leigh Mc Millan / régleur d’aile (replaced by Glenn Ashby)
Jason Saunders / Wing trimmer
Olivier Herlédant / grinder
Bruno Mourniac / grinder
Timothé Lapauw / grinder
Enzo Balanger / space athlète
Amélie Riou / space athlète
Philippe Presti / Team Manager
Philippe Mourniac / Head of Coach
Lucas Delcourt / Data Analyst
ROLEX SAILGP CHAMPIONSHIP 2026
Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix I 17-18 january
ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix I 14-15 february
KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix I 28 février-1er march
Enel Rio Sail Grand Prix I 11-12 april
Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix I 9-10 may
Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix I 30-31 may
Halifax Sail Grand Prix I 20-21 june
EMIRATES Great Britain Sail Grand Prix Portsmouth I 26-27 july
Rockwool Germany Sail Grand Prix Sassnitz I 22-23 august
Sail Grand Prix d’Espagne I TBC
Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix I 19-20 september
EMIRATES Dubai Sail Grand Prix I 21-22 november
Mubadala Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix I 28-29 november
