Just the beginning in Bermuda for Switzerland SailGP Team
by Switzerland SailGP Team 15 May 2022 16:37 PDT
14-15 May 2022
Switzerland SailGP Team helmed by Sebastien Schneiter on Race Day 2 of Bermuda SailGP presented by Hamilton Princess, Season 3, in Bermuda © Simon Bruty for SailGP
Bermuda delivered stunning sailing conditions for the second and final day of the Bermuda Sail Grand Prix presented by Hamilton Princess. Two races were sailed, taking it to five races in total for the Swiss SailGP Team across the weekend.
It was another consistent day of racing for the team, led by Geneva's Sébastien Schneiter, they took the opportunities to make gains where they could to place 6th in race one and 8th in race two.
Bermuda was the first event for the new team and only the beginning of their SailGP journey. Defending Champions, Australia SailGP Team, went on to take the overall win after beating the Canadians and British in race six, a three-team winner-takes-all Final.
Driver Schneiter on the second day of racing on the Sound, "It was a tricky day. We were really fighting hard at the starts and overall, we're not that happy with our result but we're aware that it was our first event, and the teams in this league are really good and at the top of their game.
"I think we showed some good moments and some good signs for the future. We also have a much better understanding now; what the racing is about and what we can focus on, that can make a big difference. We saw in the racing over the weekend that it is the little details that can make a big difference.
"Bermuda's been amazing as a racing venue, especially for our first event, the conditions have been just perfect for us to train and learn in and everyone here has made us feel very welcome."
Switzerland SailGP Team Coach, Jacopo Plazzi, on the team's SailGP debut, "The team first sailed the F50 together just over two weeks ago and all the athletes are racing in new positions - aside from Richard Mason - and I think that we have already come so far from where we started from.
"Over the weekend we managed to race up there with the teams who have been competing in this league for two seasons now - and these teams are the best in the game. This is just the beginning for us, everyone is already hungry for more and feeling ready to fight back next month."
The nine-strong SailGP fleet will meet again in just over a month at the United States Sail Grand Prix in Chicago (June 18-19). The Swiss team will then head closer to home with four SailGP events in Europe from July to September.
Switzerland SailGP Team is supported by its main partner and Race for the Future partner, the VI Foundation. The team will be racing in Season 3 with an important call to action for competitors and fans world-wide; to '#BacktheBid' to see the sport of sailing reinstated in the Paralympic Games in time for LA28.
Switzerland SailGP Bermuda Crew:
- Sébastien Schneiter (SUI) - driver
- Stuart Bithell (GBR) - wing trimmer
- Jason Saunders (NZL) - flight controller
- Richard Mason (GBR) - grinder
- Eliot Merceron (SUI) - grinder
- Julien Rolaz (SUI) - grinder
- Elodie Mettraux (SUI) - strategist
- Laurane Mettraux (SUI) - strategist
- Jérémy Bachelin (SUI) - reserve athlete
SailGP.com/teams/Switzerland