Volatile conditions challenge the Swiss Team in Auckland

by Switzerland SailGP Team 15 Feb 05:32 UTC 14-15 February 2026

The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix (14-15 February 2026) delivered high-intensity racing in extreme and unpredictable conditions, as strong and gusty winds tested the limits of both sailors and equipment.

In front of more than 20,000 spectators lining the Auckland waterfront, the Swiss SailGP Team showed resilience and determination despite a challenging weekend on one of the tightest racecourses of the season.

Saturday, 14 February: Tight Margins in Testing Breeze

Saturday's racing unfolded in patchy and gusty winds between 14 and 20 knots, compressing the 13-boat fleet into adrenaline-packed, high-speed encounters.

Only two races were completed after a serious collision between the New Zealand and French teams forced the abandonment of race three. Two athletes were hospitalized following the incident and are now reported to be in stable condition.

For the Swiss team, day one proved demanding. Struggles at the start line, including an OCS (over early start) penalty, made it difficult to convert speed into results. Finding the right balance in the unstable breeze on such a confined racecourse required precision and composure.

The team's objective remained clear: stay calm, execute clean maneuvers, and recover quickly from mistakes; a challenge faced by the entire fleet in the volatile conditions.

Sunday, 15 February: Racing on a Knife's Edge

Day two of racing brought visually ideal racing conditions but even stronger winds exceeding 30 knots, combined with sharp wind shifts and heavy gusts. The constantly changing breeze turned the racing into highly tactical and unpredictable contests, where positioning and timing were decisive.

The spectacle thrilled the crowd, delivering numerous heart-stopping moments as the fleet thundered past the grandstands at full speed. It was foiling racing at its most dramatic, truly racing on a (swiss) knife's edge.

The Swiss team made a clear step forward. Starts were stronger and the boat was consistently in the mix. However, technical issues on board limited warm-up time and impacted performance in race three, costing valuable points.

Overall, the team demonstrated progression from Saturday but acknowledged the need for greater consistency to convert performance gains into results.

Leadership Perspective

CEO Boet Brinkgreve reflected on the weekend:

"Our starts are now more solid, and we are progressing, closing the experience gap with competition, but this is not yet paying off in results. The team is working hard and I'm confident this effort will translate into results moving in the right direction in the near term."

Split Fleet Racing

The split fleet format, introduced to manage the tight race area and strong breeze, received positive feedback from Swiss driver Sébastien Schneiter:

"Split fleets are great when you have a small race track and big breeze like here in Auckland. I liked it and it's definitely something to consider for the future in similar conditions."

The Swiss SailGP Team now turns its focus to the next event on the calendar: the KPMG Sydney Sail Grand Prix, taking place 28 February to 1 March 2026.