That's a wrap on a tough weekend in Los Angeles

by Switzerland SailGP Team 23 Jul 2023 23:54 PDT 22-23 July 2023

USA SailGP Team and Switzerland SailGP Team in action on Race Day 2 of the Oracle Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix at the Port of Los Angeles, in California, USA © Ricardo Pinto for SailGP

For the first time in the history of the SailGP league, ten national teams raced in the Port of Los Angeles this weekend, for the second event of Season 4. It was one of the tightest racecourses so far and a different set of conditions were presented across the two race days. Los Angeles was a tough event on the scoreboard for the Swiss, who finish frustrated with 9th overall, but it was a challenging one for even the top teams.

It was the Spanish who stunned the fleet and spectators after beating Season 3 champions Australia and ROCKWOOL Denmark to claim its first ever event win.

Reflecting on the day and the weekend driver Sébastian Schneiter said: "It was hard out there for everyone today. The first race was actually quite good for us, we sailed pretty well, then the second race we didn't start good enough. It's already hard when you're at the front [of the fleet] and when you're at the back it's even harder!

"It was a tough day and a tough event in general but the good thing is we got in some more hours sailing together as a team. We've got a lot of things to analyse now and we need to figure a few things out and will come back stronger in the next event.

"It's nice to see the Spanish team doing so well, it's a great result for them today, it proves it's possible and we still believe in it."

Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team helmed by Ben Ainslie and Switzerland SailGP Team helmed by Sebastien Schneiter in action on Race Day 2 of the Oracle Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix at the Port of Los Angeles, in California, USA - photo © Felix Diemer for SailGP

The new season started last month in Chicago and the fleet will now head to Saint-Tropez (9-10 September) to start the European leg of the tour. Events in Taranto, Italy (23-24 September) and Cadiz, Spain will follow (14-15 October).

Oracle Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix | Port of Los Angeles Final Standings //

1 // Spain // 10 points
2 // ROCKWOOL Denmark // 9 points
3 // Australia // 8 points
4 // Canada // 7 points
5 // United States // 6 points
6 // Emirates GBR // 5 points
7 // New Zealand // 4 points
8 // France // 3 points
9 // Switzerland // 2 points
10 // Germany // -1 points*

*Germany penalised for making contact with Switzerland SailGP Team at Los Angeles event

SailGP Season 4 Championship Standings (After Two Events) //

1 // Australia // 17 points
2 // Spain // 16 points
3 // ROCKWOOL Denmark // 16 points
4 // Canada // 15 points
5 // New Zealand // 14 points
6 // Emirates GBR // 9 points
7 // United States // 8 points
8 // France // 8 points
9 // Switzerland // 5 points
10// Germany // 0 points*

*Germany SailGP Team received 2 point penalty at Los Angeles event

Switzerland Sailgp Team Los Angeles Line Up //

Sébastien Schneiter (SUI) - driver
Will Ryan (AUS) - wing trimmer
Jason Saunders (NZL) - flight controller
Laurane Mettraux (SUI) - strategist
Julien Rolaz (SUI) - grinder
Jérémy Bachelin (SUI) - grinder
Guy Endean (NZL) - grinder
Glenn Ashby (AUS) - sailing advisor (in LA)
Nathan Outteridge (AUS) - sailing advisor (remote)

SailGP Season 4 Schedule //

2023