Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team, from Bermuda to the first podium of the season

The Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team began its new journey on 9 and 10 May at the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix.

On the Great Sound, the Swiss crew raced for the first time with its new Explora Journeys identity and with SLAM alongside the team as Official Technical Supplier. The new F50, its livery and the team’s technical clothing marked the beginning of a partnership based on precision, innovation, teamwork and respect for the marine environment.

The sporting response was immediate. After an opening day sailed in strong winds and ideal conditions for pushing the catamaran onto its foils, Sunday brought lighter, less stable conditions that proved far more difficult to interpret.

The team adapted well, also securing second place in one of the most technical races of the weekend. Fifth overall, level on points with the fourth placed team, represented Switzerland’s best result from the opening part of the season.

It was a significant performance, particularly as it came during the team’s first event after returning to competition and at the end of a weekend in which the crew showed both speed and adaptability.

Three weeks later, in front of the Manhattan skyline, the final result did not fully reflect how much was changing onboard the Swiss F50.

The Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix was affected by strong winds, unstable gusts and repeated changes to the schedule. The Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team finished the event in eighth place, but showed more decisive starts, more aggressive positioning and a greater willingness to attack opportunities on the racecourse.

Some decisions helped the team find speed and strong positions, while others cost valuable points. The American event nevertheless marked a clear change in mentality.

Schneiter explained it clearly at the end of the event. The team preferred to leave New York knowing it had pushed too hard rather than having raced too cautiously.

The next step would be finding the right balance between aggression, precision and consistency. That balance arrived at the following event in Canada.

On 20 and 21 June, in front of more than 12,000 spectators, Halifax rewarded the work carried out by the team over the previous months.

In light, variable and particularly complex conditions, the Swiss combined effective starts, clearer communication and calm decisions during the most important moments of each race.

The result was qualification for the first four boat final in SailGP history and third place at the Canada Sail Grand Prix, the Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team’s first podium of the 2026 season.

The final demonstrated just how close the group had moved to the leading teams. After a closely fought start and a long battle with Spain, the Swiss F50 overtook championship leaders Australia on the final leg to secure third place directly in front of the grandstand.

It was more than a result. It demonstrated that the work carried out on communication, speed and the management of decisive moments was beginning to produce tangible results.