Drama and close battles mark opening day of the TF35 Geneva GP

The TF35 Geneva Grand Prix, the final event of the 2025 season, commenced today with five thrilling races held in 8-18 knots, highlighting the impressive fleet on Lake Geneva in front of the Société Nautique de Genève.

The weekend of racing began with drama before the first race even started. During practice racing, a collision between the series leader Sails of Change 8 and newcomers X-Wing left both boats holed and unable to compete.

With the championship front-runner sidelined, anticipation grew for race one. Realteam Spirit, returning to the fleet, started strong but fell back as the race progressed. Sails of Change 10 took the left side of the course and managed to lead at the windward gate. Despite pressure from Ylliam 17 on the final downwind leg, Duncan Späth and tactician Julien D’Ortoli held their ground to claim the first victory.

Race two was equally competitive, with the fleet tightly packed until the last downwind leg. Sails of Change 10 and Ylliam 17 broke away for a photo finish, with Späth’s crew securing another win.

As the breeze strengthened for race three, Esteban Garcia’s Realteam Spirit regained her form, rounding the top mark alongside Zen Too and converting a strong performance into her first victory of the regatta.

By the fourth race, with winds reaching 15 knots, the high-speed catamarans raced at up to 33 knots. The race committee concluded the race early, resulting in a fast finish with Realteam Spirit, Ylliam XII – Comptoir Immobilier, and Zen Too claiming the top three spots.

In the final race of the day, Bertrand Demole helmed Ylliam XII – Comptoir Immobilier to victory, narrowly defeating Realteam Spirit by half a boat length. This result leaves Ylliam XII in third place overall, while Sails of Change 10 is in second, both tied on points with Ylliam 17. Zen Too is in fifth, with a mere four points separating second from fifth, keeping the competition fierce.