Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team Claims First Podium of the Season in Halifax
by Explora Swiss SailGP Team 21 Jun 14:08 PDT
20-21 June 2026
Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team driven by Sebastien Schneiter ahead of United States SailGP Team in front of the grandstand on Race Day 2 of the Canada Sail Grand Prix in Halifax, Canada © Samo Vidic for SailGP
The Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team claimed its first podium of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship with a third-place finish at the Canada Sail Grand Prix | Halifax, marking a major step forward for the Swiss team.
Racing in front of more than 12,000 spectators across the weekend, the team showed speed, composure and resilience in light and unstable conditions to qualify for SailGP's first-ever four-boat Final. After several events in which the team had shown stronger starts, improved boat speed and better consistency, Halifax turned those signs of progress into the team's first podium of the season.
A Breakthrough Weekend
Competing under the split-fleet racing format, the Swiss team built momentum from the opening day, combining strong starts with sharper communication and calm decision-making in difficult conditions.
"In these conditions, communication is critical," said Driver Sébastien Schneiter. "The racing can almost feel more hectic than in big breeze, so staying calm, clear and connected on board made a real difference for us."
In the Final, the Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team made a strong start, went neck-and-neck with Spain, and stayed in contention against some of the championship's most established teams. The Swiss crew ultimately secured third place in style, overtaking championship leaders Australia on the final reach to claim its first podium of the season.
For Boet Brinkgreve, CEO of the Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team, the result reflects the hard work being done across the entire team. "This is an important moment for the team," said Brinkgreve. "Over the past events, we have seen real progress internally in how the team works together, how we communicate on board, how we start, and how we stay in the fight. In Halifax, that hard work started to pay off."
"The whole team did a great job this weekend. The communication on board was much stronger, and Sébastien really stepped up in leading that communication under difficult conditions. We know there is still a lot to improve, but this podium gives us confidence and momentum. It proves we can compete at the front."
The Canada Sail Grand Prix concludes the championship's Americas circuit. Racing resumes in Europe at the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth, taking place from 25-26 July 2026.