Explora Journeys Swiss keeps pushing forward in Valencia

Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team driven by Sebastien Schneiter in action during the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain © SailGP

The Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team finished seventh overall at the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia, the tenth event of the Rolex SailGP Championship 2026 season and the league's first visit to the city.

Racing in Group A under the split-fleet format, the team finished fourth in its group, four points short of a place in Sunday's final, and moves up the season standings with three events remaining.

Extreme heat and a light, shifting breeze made Valencia a test of precision, adaptability and control. Starts decided most of the racing: the boats that got off the line cleanly held the first beat, and every manoeuvre after that carried a cost. In a group that included BONDS Flying Roos, Red Bull Italy, Artemis Racing and the Black Foils, finishing fourth and within four points of the final cut is the clearest measure so far of how far the team has come this season.

BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team driven by Tom Slingsby and Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team driven by Sebastien Schneiter in action on Race Day 1 of the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain - photo © Ricardo Pinto for SailGP

Two fifth-place finishes gave the Swiss crew a solid base before they stepped up in the final race of the day to take second. With little wind, every decision on the course carried weight, and the crew kept the boat foiling through the light patches while others fell off.

"It was a very technical day with very little wind, which makes every manoeuvre and decision even more important," said driver Sébastien Schneiter. "The mood in the team is really good. We know what we are capable of, and we are all ready to give everything tomorrow to fight for a place in the final."

Sunday: One Race, One Message

The breeze faded further on Sunday and the race committee managed a single Group A race before abandoning the rest of the programme. The Swiss sailed it well, holding position in the pack and showing the progress made in light-air modes since the start of the season. During the broadcast, commentary noted that the Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP team has been building over the last two events.

"What changed in Valencia is the confidence inside the team," said Boet Brinkgreve, CEO. "Four points from the final in a group with Australia, Italy, Artemis and New Zealand. We are not looking up at those teams any more. Our crew believes it belongs at this level and has a real chance of reaching a final, and that is the mindset we take to Geneva."

The U.S. SailGP Team won the event ahead of BONDS Flying Roos, Red Bull Italy and ROCKWOOL Racing.

Next: Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix, Geneva

The team races next at the ROLEX Switzerland Sail Grand Prix on Lake Geneva, 19-20 September 2026.

There's nothing quite like a home race. With the Swiss crowd on the shore, the Alps behind the course and Lake Geneva's unpredictable mountain breeze, precision will once again be key. We're heading into the weekend with a winning mindset, ready to fight for a result and make our home crowd proud.