Los Gallos triumphant

Spain’s Los Gallos denied the Bonds Flying Roos victory on Lake Geneva, outsailing Tom Slingsby’s Australian team in the SailGP event final to secure their place in the 2026 Grand Final.

Photography by SailGP

21 September 2026

Diego Botín and Los Gallos claimed the Geneva title after a dramatic final against Australia, with the Spanish team recovering from an eventful day of qualifying to take the win.

The result also secured Los Gallos a place in the 2026 SailGP Grand Final in Abu Dhabi alongside the Bonds Flying Roos, while Australia finished runner-up for the second consecutive event.

ROCKWOOL Racing finished third after a strong weekend that included three victories from five fleet races, while the Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team gave the home crowd plenty to celebrate by reaching its third event final of the season.

(l-r) Hannah Mills, strategist of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, Paul Goodison, driver of Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team, Phil Robertson, driver of Red Bull Italy SailGP Team, Sebastien Schneiter, driver of Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team, Maud Jayet, strategist of Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team, Tom Slingsby, driver of BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team, Anna Weis, grinder and jib trimmer of United States SailGP Team, Martine Grael, interim driver of United States SailGP Team, stand together for a group photo overlooking Jet d'Eau and Lake Geneva ahead of the Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in Geneva, Switzerland. Friday 18 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 11 2026 Season. Photo: Jason Ludlow for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

United States SailGP Team driven by interim driver Martine Grael, Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team driven by Paul Goodison and Los Gallos SailGP Team driven by Diego Botin in action during a practice session ahead of the Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in Geneva, Switzerland. Friday 18 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 11 2026 Season. Photo: Felix Diemer for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

Black Foils SailGP Team driven by Peter Burling ahead of BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team ahead of Artemis SailGP Team during practice sailing on Race Day 2 of the Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in Geneva, Switzerland. Sunday 20 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 11 2026 Season. Photo: Jason Ludlow for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team ahead of Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team and Los Gallos SailGP Team during racing on Race Day 2 of the Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in Geneva, Switzerland. Sunday 20 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 11 2026 Season. Photo: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

Aerial view as spectators fill the grandstand in the race stadium on Race Day 1 of the Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in Geneva, Switzerland. Saturday 19 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 11 2026 Season. Photo: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

Aerial view looking over the SailGP fleet on their moorings outside the technical area and the Jet d'Eau on Race Day 1 of the Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in Geneva, Switzerland. Saturday 19 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 11 2026 Season. Photo: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

The day began with Los Gallos making their move in Group A. Botín took the lead from the US SailGP Team with an offshore route and held on to record Spain’s first race win of the Geneva event.

Australia responded in Group B, leading from the first mark to claim its second victory of the weekend. NorthStar finished second ahead of Emirates GBR as the battle for a place in the final tightened.

ROCKWOOL Racing then benefited from a right-of-way infringement against DS Automobiles Team France to collect another victory, while additional group races gave Los Gallos another opportunity after the Spanish team had appeared to be slipping out of contention.

The Swiss team booked its place in the final with victory in the last Group B qualifying race, overturning the Black Foils after New Zealand had led early. Emirates GBR ultimately missed the final after Britain, Canada and New Zealand had all occupied a qualifying position during the race.

ROCKWOOL Racing secured its final berth with a third victory from five qualifying races, while Artemis finished second. Los Gallos did enough in third to advance to the winner-takes-all decider.

Pyrotechnics are released in front of the grandstand as Los Gallos SailGP Team driven by Diego Botin cross the finish line to win the final race ahead of BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team on Race Day 2 of the Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in Geneva, Switzerland. Sunday 20 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 11 2026 Season. Photo: Jonathan Nackstrand for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

Los Gallos SailGP Team driven by Diego Botin celebrate after winning the final race on Race Day 2 of the Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in Geneva, Switzerland. Sunday 20 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 11 2026 Season. Photo: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

Los Gallos SailGP Team driven by Diego Botin celebrate on a SailGP rescue boat after winning the final race on Race Day 2 of the Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in Geneva, Switzerland. Sunday 20 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 11 2026 Season. Photo: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

Los Gallos SailGP Team driven by Diego Botin celebrate on the podium with the winners trophy wheel during the presentation ceremony after winning the final race on Race Day 2 of the Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in Geneva, Switzerland. Sunday 20 September 2026. Rolex SailGP Championship Event 11 2026 Season. Photo: Jason Ludlow for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

Spain overturns Australia

The Bonds Flying Roos made the stronger start in the final and initially built an advantage, but Los Gallos remained in contention.

Australia headed towards the favoured offshore side at the first gate, while Botín initially split towards the shoreline before tacking back. Despite appearing to lose ground, the Spanish crew recovered and reeled in the Australians before taking the lead and the Geneva victory.

Botín described the day as a “rollercoaster”, with Los Gallos moving in and out of final contention as the qualifying format unfolded.

“We’re super happy with the win,” Botín said. “I think we’ve been working really well in these light conditions, which were probably the conditions where we were feeling the weakest.”

For Slingsby, second place brought mixed emotions after Australia also finished runner-up at the previous event in Valencia.

We’re sailing really well, so it’s bittersweet,” Slingsby said. “I’m never happy with second, and to come second twice in a row and lose a lead, that’s what’s breaking me.”

Slingsby nevertheless said the Australian team was sailing better than ever and had made further gains during the Geneva event.

The result also changed the championship standings, with Artemis moving into third overall ahead of the US SailGP Team despite finishing seventh in Geneva.

The Rolex SailGP Championship now heads to Dubai for the penultimate event of the 2026 season on 21–22 November, before the Grand Final in Abu Dhabi.

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