Geneva groups set

SailGP’s fleet racing groups have been confirmed for the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix, running 19 & 20 September.

Photography by SailGP

18 September 2026

The 13-team SailGP fleet will be divided into two groups for racing on Lake Geneva, setting up a key showdown between the United States and Artemis as the battle for a place in the season Grand Final intensifies.

The 13-team fleet will be divided into two groups for racing on Lake Geneva on 19 and 20 September, with the groups determined using the ABBA seeding system based on the standings from the previous event.

The United States and Artemis have both landed in Group A, alongside Los Gallos, ROCKWOOL Racing, Germany by Deutsche Bank, DS Automobiles France and Mubadala Brazil.

The Bonds Flying Roos lead Group B in Geneva, where they will face Emirates GBR, the Black Foils, NorthStar Canada, Switzerland and Italy.

The US, Germany, DS Automobiles France and Artemis are among the seven teams drawn in Group A for Geneva.

The grouping puts two of the leading Grand Final contenders directly against each other. Following its victory in Valencia, the US sits third in the season standings, with Nathan Outteridge’s Artemis fourth and just one point behind.

The Americans head into Geneva facing an additional challenge, with driver Taylor Canfield and reserve Harry Melges ruled out through injury.

Light winds are forecast for the event, conditions that could suit several teams in Group A. The US has already won in Sydney and Valencia in light airs this season, while Los Gallos and ROCKWOOL Racing have also demonstrated strong light-air performance.

Germany by Deutsche Bank will return to the venue where it claimed its first SailGP event victory in 2025.

The US and Artemis will go head to head in Group A as the battle for a place in the SailGP Grand Final intensifies.

Artemis and the US will meet in Group A, with just one point separating the teams on the season leaderboard heading into Geneva.

Australia leads Group B

The Bonds Flying Roos headline Group B as the season leaders, joined by Emirates GBR, the Black Foils, NorthStar Canada, home team Explora Journeys Swiss and Red Bull Italy.

The group presents another important test for Emirates GBR, which sits fifth in the season standings as it attempts to close the gap to the Grand Final qualification positions.

Dylan Fletcher’s British team will have to contend with Tom Slingsby’s Australian crew and Peter Burling’s Black Foils as it pushes for a place in the Geneva event Final.

Under the Geneva format, the top two teams from each group advance to the winner-takes-all event Final.

The Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix is the 11th event of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship and takes place on Lake Geneva, 19 & 20 September.

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