SailGP Grand Final race tightens on Lake Geneva as Grael joins U.S. SailGP Team
by SailGP 18 Sep 18:39 BST
19-20 September 2026
United States SailGP Team driven by interim driver Martine Grael, Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team driven by Paul Goodison and Los Gallos SailGP Team driven by Diego Botin in action during a practice session ahead of the Switzerland Sail Grand Prix © Felix Diemer for SailGP
SailGP returns to Lake Geneva this weekend as teams prepare for one of the final tests of the 2026 Season. In a venue known for complex, changeable breeze, Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team driver Sébastien Schneiter is banking on a home advantage.
"You really need to know Lake Geneva and all the shifts," Schneiter said. "We're going to see the wind coming from the shore and we really have to navigate on the specifics of the lake. The start is also super important. We know that in these conditions, one mistake can make you disappear, so as a team we're going to focus a lot on the start."
The event marks the 11th of 13 in the 2026 Season, as teams push to book their place in the winner-takes-all Grand Final in Abu Dhabi in November. Only Australia's Bonds Flying Roos are confirmed, with all but two teams mathematically still in contention for the $2 million race.
Entering the weekend in podium position (third), the U.S. SailGP Team confirmed that double Olympic champion Martine Grael will step in for driver Taylor Canfield after her shock exit from Mubadala Brazil earlier this week. Canfield is ruled out to injury, having suffered a broken collarbone during a bike accident.
"I didn't understand what I was going to do in the future, and then I got a phone call saying that Taylor got injured. It's a great pity because they're doing such a good job and they're really in great chances to go to the final," Grael said.
"The good thing is that it hasn't been so long since I've seen it last," she continued. "It's only been like a week and a half now, so I'm still warmed up from the other events. But I think, when you get to a new team, you need to understand how they work. And that's the most important part, is to try to work with this team because they've obviously been doing a very good job. Of course, I want to adapt to how they're sailing and get the best out of them."
The Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team will be helmed by Paul Goodison, who joined the team as strategist. Commenting on the details of Grael's exit, Goodison said "We were really unsure about what had happened. We just heard that Martine had left, so it put us all in a little bit of a spin."
Kahena Kunze is on loan to Brazil from ROCKWOOL Denmark, forming what Goodison says is a new beginning for Mubadala Brazil. "I think we're in a new era," he said. "We need to look forward to how we can start improving. Obviously, we're at the back of the fleet at the moment, we don't have many points on the board and we've got to look forward. How do we start getting the points on the board? What do we need to change? We just keep trusting in our process, keep working forward and hopefully the results will come."
This weekend will mark the first time two women have competed alongside one another in the same team, as Grael takes the wheel alongside the U.S. SailGP Team grinder Anna Weis.
"Anna is one of those great athletes and a great friend as well, and it's really incredible to work together," said Grael. "[Anna is] one of these people you admire for their work ethic and how strong they are in their pursuit for greatness. It's really inspiring to sail beside Anna, and it is going to be fun."
The United States will race in Group A alongside Artemis, Los Gallos, ROCKWOOL Racing, Mubadala Brazil, Germany by Deutsche Bank and DS Automobiles France. Group B brings together Emirates GBR, the Bonds Flying Roos, New Zealand's Black Foils, Canadian team NorthStar, Explora Journeys Swiss and Red Bull Italy.
Secured in the final with a 17-point lead, championship frontrunner Tom Slingsby, driver for the Bonds Flying Roos, said he "wouldn't have a clue" on who is most likely to join him in the final.
"Emirates GBR are the defending champions and people have written them off before and they've come back and shocked everyone, so don't count them out. Nathan Outteridge is a light-air specialist also. I'm not sure. I'm just a fan. I'm going to sit back and watch, hopefully stay out of everyone's way, because I wouldn't have a clue."
Around 10,000 spectators are expected across the two-day event on Lake Geneva, the Rolex SailGP Championship's only freshwater venue. Racing gets under way tomorrow - Saturday September 19 - at 3.30 p.m. CEST. Swiss fans can watch live on Blue Sport on both days, with racing broadcast around the world. Find out more at SailGP.com/Watch.