Rolex SailGP Championship Returns to Geneva
The Rolex SailGP Championship is set to make its much-anticipated return to Lake Geneva in Switzerland for the eleventh event of the season. Following a series of competitions across Europe, the continental leg will conclude on the 19th and 20th of September, when the F50 catamarans will once again race in close proximity to the iconic Jet d’Eau, one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
This notable event returns to Geneva after its inaugural edition last year. Since then, the championship has expanded significantly, now featuring 13 teams and two additional host cities: Perth, Australia, where the season commenced, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which hosted a race in April.
The current season is already historic, having witnessed the DS Automobiles SailGP Team France set a new championship speed record of 107.63 kilometres per hour last month in Sassnitz, Germany.
Rolex’s Commitment to Sailing
Since its inception in 2019, Rolex has played a pivotal role as a founding partner and official timekeeper of the championship. This partnership was further solidified when the brand became the main sponsor ahead of the 2025 season. Rolex’s involvement is part of a broader tradition in sailing that dates back to 1958, when the Swiss watchmaker began its association with the New York Yacht Club.
Hannah Mills, Rolex ambassador and strategist for the Emirates GBR SailGP Team, expressed her enthusiasm for the championship’s return to the Swiss city, stating, “Competing at Rolex’s home venue as an ambassador was an unforgettable experience last year, and I am very excited to return.”
Unique Challenges of Freshwater Racing
Despite her excitement, Mills acknowledged the unique challenges presented by the freshwater conditions at this venue. “Racing on freshwater poses an unusual challenge for the fleet, as the F50 catamarans behave differently compared to saltwater: they tend to have increased buoyancy and are less forgiving of errors in freshwater,” she clarified.
Additionally, the competition format has evolved this season, introducing split fleet racing. To progress to the final round featuring four boats, teams must secure a top-two finish in their respective groups, necessitating optimal and consistent performance throughout the event.
Pressure and Precision in the Racing Environment
Tom Slingsby, Rolex ambassador and pilot for the BONDS Flying Roos SailGP team, elaborated on the heightened pressure competitors will face. “A manoeuvre consists of 41 sequences that must be executed in perfect synchronisation. If one person is even slightly out of time, it impacts everything that follows. Precision and accuracy are essential, particularly given the additional risks associated with each manoeuvre,” he noted.
Rolex’s partnership has significantly contributed to the SailGP’s development, which is recognised as the first global sports league to mandate that its teams include at least one female athlete. The championship has also established the Impact League, an initiative aimed at incorporating sustainability objectives into the competition, encouraging teams to assess their environmental and social impact.
Values and Aspirations in Competitive Sailing
Sir Ben Ainslie, CEO of the Emirates GBR SailGP Team and a Rolex ambassador since 2019, believes that the values associated with Rolex resonate deeply with the demands of competitive sailing. “I take pride in being an ambassador for Rolex and having them as the principal sponsor of the league. Rolex embodies integrity, excellence, and unwavering perseverance—values I have consistently strived to uphold throughout my career,” he shared.
As the competition returns to Geneva, the SailGP approaches the critical phase of its 2026 season. This weekend’s event promises to showcase high-speed technology, unique sailing conditions, and elite athletes, all vying to accumulate the necessary points for a spot in the Grand Final in Abu Dhabi, scheduled for November.