First Swiss SailGP podium - third overall in Portsmouth

by Switzerland SailGP Team 20 Jul 21:55 BST 19-20 July 2025

Switzerland SailGP Team on Race Day 2 of the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth, UK © SailGP

Switzerland SailGP Team celebrated a major milestone this weekend, clinching their first-ever podium finish and third place overall at the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth.

After seven highly charged fleet races across the two race days, placing 5, 1, 2, 6, 8, 3, 4 on the scoreboard, today Switzerland entered its first ever three team final, going head-to-head with two of the Championship's leading teams; New Zealand's Black Foils and the home favourites, Emirates GBR.

Despite a storming start and a historic win within reach, an unexpected technical hydraulic issue onboard F50 Eiger forced the team to retire mid-race. As a result, Switzerland secured third overall, with the Brits taking second and Kiwis claiming the event victory. Still, the podium finish marks a major step forward for the Swiss, who have been on the rise since the start of the Season back in November.

Race Day 2 of the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth, UK - photo © SailGP

Driver Sébastien Schneiter on the weekend: "We are super proud and happy to make our first final. I think we deserved it too. We've worked really hard as a team this Season and we sailed well all weekend. It's really the small details that make a big difference against this fleet and I think we're starting to get a better understanding of what's needed to be in the front end.

"We had an awesome start against the Brits and Kiwis, so we showed we were there and competitive, before we started having the issue onboard. It's a great boost for the team and I'm looking forward to the rest of the European season."

Switzerland SailGP Team and France SailGP Team on Race Day 2 of the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix in Portsmouth, UK - photo © SailGP

Strategist Maud Jayet continued: "We are super stoked! It was the first final for us and it's a really big milestone for the team - we are so happy to see that the work we have been putting in has been paying off and we are heading in the right direction. It's given us a huge boost and we are really excited for the rest of the season."

CEO Boet Brinkgreve on the team's result: "We had a great weekend, it's our first final which is a historical moment, and I think the team did an amazing job. They sailed like there was no tomorrow and it was great to be in the final against these two top teams. Third is a fantastic result and if the team continues like this, we can expect even more great things. It will be a journey that goes up and down, but we are on the right track, with the right mindset."

Today also marks two months until the inaugural Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix which will take place in Geneva, the 10th stop of the Rolex SailGP Championship 2025 Season. But next up, in just three weeks, is the Germany Sail Grand Prix, Sassnitz 16 -17 August.

Switzerland SailGP Team crew line-up: