TF35 Maily Grand Prix Day 2
by TF35 Trophy 12 Sep 13:02 PDT
11-13 September 2025
Day two of the TF35 Mailly Grand Prix saw championship leaders Sails of Change 8 extend their lead at the top of the championship table. With a run of firsts and seconds, they head into tomorrow's final nine points clear of the fleet.
Today, however, the spotlight belonged to Sails of Change 10. After an inconsistent opening day, helm Duncan Späth and tactician Julien D'Ortoli guided their team through five solid races - their worst result a fourth - and closed out with three wins, including the final race of the day.
"We tried to limit the risks as much as possible," D'Ortoli explained ashore. "Going too far to the sides could have caused us to fall into lulls, so it paid off. We also had a bit of luck at times. On board, when things go well, everything becomes more fluid. It's a virtuous circle: everyone progresses, everyone gives their best, and in the end we finished with a superb last race where we were third and managed to take the lead on the last leg."
Conditions on Lake Geneva were more challenging today, with a south-westerly wind ranging anywhere from 4 to 15 knots. Boat handling and sharp decision-making proved decisive.
Newcomers X-Wing kept their momentum after yesterday's first win. They opened with a third today, then added two second-place finishes in Races 7 and 9, climbing onto the podium in third overall, replacing Zen Too, who remain in striking distance but with plenty to do when racing resumes tomorrow.
"Well done to Sails of Change 8, who were very solid today, and to X-Wing, who also had a great day," said D'Ortoli. "They were always well placed and in the thick of the action. It was a really good battle with all the boats."
Elsewhere, Ylliam 17 and Ylliam XII- Comptoir Immobilier both posted thirds and fourths but were held back by costly deep finishes, leaving them mid-fleet.
Five races are scheduled for tomorrow's finale. "There's no need to make calculations," D'Ortoli said. "We'll take the day as it comes. A lot can still happen. We're in second place with a few points in hand, but tomorrow will be wide open. We'll have to give everything until the very end."
Full results available here.