Germany Makes History on Lake Geneva
The Germany SailGP Team presented by Deutsche Bank achieved a landmark victory on September 21, 2025, securing their first-ever event win at the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix | Geneva. Under the leadership of driver Erik Kosegarten-Heil, the German F50 catamaran navigated the challenging light wind conditions of Lake Geneva to emerge victorious against strong contenders Australia and Switzerland in the final race. This triumph marks a significant moment for the German team, which has been on a steep learning curve since joining the championship.
Challenging Conditions Define Race Weekend
The tenth stop of the 2025 SailGP season was characterized by exceptionally light and fickle winds, with speeds often falling below the 28 km/h required for consistent foiling. These 'near-drifting conditions' forced teams to adapt, racing with a reduced crew of just three sailors instead of the usual six, and utilizing new light-air rudders and T-Foils. Despite the difficult environment, the German team demonstrated remarkable consistency. They secured a crucial win in fleet race four and a third-place finish in race five on Day 2, earning their spot in the final showdown. Heil commented on the conditions, stating, 'I think we put on a good show for the conditions we had.'
A Breakthrough Performance
In the high-stakes final, the German team executed a near-flawless performance. They took an early lead and maintained it, crossing the finish line ahead of Australia's Bonds Flying Roos and the Switzerland SailGP Team, driven by Sebastien Schneiter. This victory is particularly notable given the German team's journey, which included a record 32-point penalty at the Sydney event earlier in the season. Heil, a double Olympic bronze medalist, has been instrumental in the team's progress, and this win underscores their steady improvement throughout Season 5. The event drew an enthusiastic crowd of 8,500 ticketed fans, with many more lining the lakefront to witness the spectacle.
Impact on Season Standings and Future Outlook
While Germany celebrated their historic win, the second-place finish allowed Australia's Bonds Flying Roos to reclaim the top spot in the overall 2025 SailGP season standings with 76 points. Emirates GBR holds second place with 75 points, while New Zealand slipped to third with 73 points after a challenging weekend. The SailGP circuit now looks ahead to the penultimate round of the season, scheduled for October 4-5 in Cádiz, Spain, where four teams will continue their battle for a spot in the Grand Final.
5 Comments
Kyle Broflovski
Germany showed great skill in tricky conditions, which is commendable. However, the light winds did prevent the F50s from foiling consistently, which some might argue diminishes the spectacle of high-speed racing.
Stan Marsh
Australia still leads. One win doesn't change the season.
Eric Cartman
Reduced crew, special rudders... Is it even real sailing?
Raphael
Adapting to the light wind with smaller crews and special equipment shows ingenuity in the sport. But it also raises questions about whether these adaptations dilute the core challenge of high-performance foiling.
Coccinella
YES! Germany finally gets their win! So well deserved!