Aussies top Group B 'Light-Wind Soldier's Course' in Geneva Opener
by Olivia Hogan 19 Sep 19:13 BST
19-20 September 2026
BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team lead Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team and DS Automobiles SailGP Team France away from the Jet d'Eau during a practice session ahead of the Switzerland Sail Grand Prix © Felix Diemer for SailGP
The BONDS Flying Roos have finished the opening day of the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix at the top of Group B after navigating an unforgiving day of light-wind racing on Lake Geneva.
The Australians recorded a consistent 5-4-1 scoreline across the day's three fleet races, closing out the opener with a race win to secure pole position in their group heading into Sunday on 10 points.
BONDS Flying Roos Strategist Tash Bryant described the challenging conditions as a "soldier's course", with crews forced to fight for every metre in the shifting, low-pressure breeze.
BONDS Flying Roos Driver and CEO Tom Slingsby said the light-wind racing proved even more stressful than competing in heavy-air conditions.
"I find that more stressful than 30 knots," Slingsby said. "In those sorts of conditions, you're pulling your hair out the whole time. We wobbled our way through and got some decent results, so we're happy about that.
"You've got so many things going on in your mind, even though the boat is moving so slowly. It feels like you're playing out 10 different scenarios in your head at all times. It may look quite slow from the shore, but for the sailors it's non-stop frustration and 'what-if' scenarios."
The opening day also marked a milestone for SailGP, with two women competing alongside one another aboard the same F50 for the first time, as Martine Grael took the wheel alongside U.S. SailGP Team grinder Anna Weis.
With the BONDS Flying Roos already qualified for the US$2 million season finale in Abu Dhabi, attention now turns to Sunday's racing in Geneva.
The Group B standings remain finely balanced, with Australia leading on 10 points, just one point clear of the Black Foils and two ahead of Emirates Great Britain and home team Switzerland. With four teams separated by only two points, there is little margin for error as the Australians look to maintain their position and secure a place in the winner-takes-all Final of the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix.