Audinet returns to the F50
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA – JUNE 17, 2026 – DS Automobiles SailGP Team France heads to the ROCKWOOL Canada Sail Grand Prix this weekend looking to build momentum at a crucial stage of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship.
Currently sitting fifth overall, the French team remains firmly in contention for a place in the Championship’s top three, with only a handful of points separating several teams in one of the tightest title races SailGP has seen.
The Halifax event also marks a major milestone for the team with the return of strategist Manon Audinet, who will race for the first time since the Auckland incident earlier this season.
Audinet returns to the F50
After months of rehabilitation, Audinet rejoins the line-up for what promises to be one of the most physically demanding events of the season.
Her return restores the team’s preferred configuration at a key moment in the championship campaign.
Manon Audinet, Strategist – DS Automobiles SailGP Team France
“I’m really happy to be back with the team and back on the boat. I’ve done everything I could during my recovery to be ready for this moment and I’m feeling good heading into the weekend.
Halifax is a venue we enjoy and the forecast looks pretty windy, which is exactly the type of sailing we love. Most of all, I’m excited to be racing with the team again.”
Amélie Riou will travel with the team as reserve athlete.
European Champion Balanger set for second SailGP event
The French line-up will once again feature Enzo Balanger in the wing trimmer role.
After making an impressive SailGP debut in New York, where DS Automobiles SailGP Team France finished fourth overall, the 2025 Moth World Champion arrives in Halifax fresh from winning the 2026 European Moth Championship.
The Canadian event will provide another valuable opportunity for one of France’s most exciting young foiling talents to continue his rapid progression on the F50.
Halifax ready to test the fleet
Returning for its second SailGP event, Halifax has quickly established itself as one of the most popular stops on the calendar, with this year’s event sold out ahead of race weekend.
Set against the spectacular backdrop of Nova Scotia’s waterfront, the racecourse will challenge all 13 national teams with narrow racing lanes, shifting breeze, tidal currents and typically cool Atlantic conditions.
Forecasts suggest some of the strongest winds seen so far this season, creating the potential for high-speed, high-risk racing throughout the weekend.
Black Foils return to action
Halifax will also see the long-awaited return of New Zealand’s Black Foils.
The Kiwis have been absent since their dramatic Auckland crash and return to competition after months of rebuilding their F50. Their comeback restores the fleet to thirteen teams and adds another major contender to an already fiercely competitive championship battle.
A pivotal weekend in the championship race
With the season entering its second half, every point is becoming increasingly valuable.
For DS Automobiles SailGP Team France, the objective is clear: continue closing the gap to the teams ahead while building on the momentum generated in New York.
With Audinet back on board, Balanger gaining experience and the team regaining stability after a challenging period, Halifax represents an important opportunity to strengthen its position in the championship and stay firmly in the hunt for a place in the SailGP Grand Final.
