Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix | Geneva: DS Automobiles SailGP Team France ends European tour on a positive note
GENEVA – SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2026 – After an intense weekend on Lake Geneva, DS Automobiles SailGP Team France finished the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix | Geneva in sixth place, just one point short of qualifying for the Final. In light conditions that have historically not been the team’s strongest, Quentin Delapierre and his crew showed solid progress throughout the weekend, particularly in the starts. Despite once again missing out on the Final by a single point, the result also sees the French team gain one place in the overall Rolex SailGP Championship standings, moving up to sixth. Geneva brought the 2026 European tour to a close ahead of the final two events of the season in the United Arab Emirates.
Final slips away by just one point
After finishing second in their group on Saturday in very light wind conditions, DS Automobiles SailGP Team France headed into the second day looking to build on that momentum.
On Sunday, stronger winds allowed the F50s to get back on the foils at times, bringing more speed and spectacle to Lake Geneva. The French team quickly found its rhythm and delivered two solid opening races, coming particularly close to victory in the second race of the day.
With the standings incredibly tight, everything came down to the final race. A fourth-place finish in the last race saw the French crew miss out on a place in the Final by just one point.
It was an immediate disappointment for the team, but also a weekend that confirmed the progress made in conditions that had proved more challenging at previous events.
Philippe Presti, Team Manager of DS Automobiles SailGP Team France:
“I’m disappointed for the athletes, who sailed really well this weekend. We came very close, but we fought hard and showed some very positive things. We were really well aligned across all areas and made tactical and technical progress throughout the weekend. We are still missing that little something, but the result is the product of all the work we are doing and all the processes we are putting in place. We need to keep working and remain agile because, in SailGP, conditions are constantly changing.”
Progress in light-air conditions
After Valencia, one of the team’s main objectives was to improve its starts and make better use of the F50 in light-wind conditions.
In Geneva, several signs confirmed that progress. While the starts had still been inconsistent on Saturday, the crew had already shown its ability to gain places around the racecourse. On Sunday, the French team took another step forward, delivering several very strong starts and immediately putting itself among the front-runners.
Timothé Lapauw, grinder for DS Automobiles SailGP Team France:
“I think we’ve rediscovered some of the keys to getting the boat moving in light conditions and, above all, to getting good starts. That was our strength today. We really aren’t far away from making the Final. The level in this league is extremely high, so of course it’s frustrating, but there is nothing to be ashamed of in this performance. We’ll get there.”
An important step forward as the team heads into the final part of the season, where the ability to perform across a wide range of conditions will remain crucial.
Quentin Delapierre, driver of DS Automobiles SailGP Team France:
“We had a good approach today, used the boat well and had some good starts. Unfortunately, the last race didn’t go our way, but we’re looking ahead. We’re determined to attack this final part of the season and fight for some strong results in the last Grands Prix.”
Spain takes victory in Geneva
After a fiercely contested weekend, Spain won the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix | Geneva, confirming its position among the championship’s leading teams alongside Australia.
For DS Automobiles SailGP Team France, sixth place in Geneva means gaining one position in the overall standings and moving up to sixth at the end of the European tour.
With margins remaining extremely tight across the championship, the French team continues its work with the aim of converting the progress seen on board into results more consistently.
Youri Djorkaeff joins the team in Geneva
The Geneva weekend was also marked by the presence of Youri Djorkaeff, 1998 FIFA World Cup winner and investor in DS Automobiles SailGP Team France, who came to support the team and experience the racing up close alongside the French F50.
A long-time sailing enthusiast, Youri Djorkaeff joined the French team’s investor consortium in January alongside his son Sacha. In Geneva, he highlighted the human dimension of the project and the unique proximity between the athletes, the teams and their environment.
Youri Djorkaeff, 1998 FIFA World Cup winner and investor in DS Automobiles SailGP Team France:
“I’ve always been passionate about sailing, and SailGP is a sport that really appeals to me. Today, I’m fortunate to be part of the French adventure and to be here with the team. At this level of sport, it’s very rare to be able to get so close to the athletes, talk to them and really feel what they are experiencing. Behind all the technology and performance, there are people, and that’s what makes it so powerful. We are very proud of what they are achieving.”
Looking ahead to the final part of the season
The Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix | Geneva marked the end of the championship’s 2026 European tour.
The championship now moves to the United Arab Emirates for the final two events of the season: Dubai on 21–22 November, followed by Abu Dhabi on 28–29 November.
