Tom Slingsby has tipped Spain’s Los Gallos to join the Bonds Flying Roos in the 2026 SailGP Grand Final, while declaring the battle for the third and final position wide open ahead of the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in Geneva.
The Australians became the first team to secure a place in the season-deciding Grand Final after finishing second in Valencia gave them an unassailable points buffer.
It puts Slingsby and his crew in the unusual position of heading into the final European event of the season without the pressure of having to qualify.
Behind them, however, the fight is becoming increasingly tight.
The U.S. SailGP Team, Artemis and Emirates GBR are separated by just five points heading into Geneva. The possibilities extend further down the leaderboard, with only Mubadala Brazil and the Black Foils mathematically unable to reach the Grand Final.
Speaking at the pre-event press conference in Geneva, Slingsby said he expected Los Gallos to claim one of the two remaining positions.
“I think Los Gallos are going to make it,” Slingsby said. “I think they’re a really top team and they’re one of the standouts this year, their performances. But after that I think third place is really up for grabs.”
Slingsby also warned against discounting defending champions Emirates GBR.
The British team began the season with victory in Perth but has since slipped to fifth overall, behind Nathan Outteridge’s Artemis.
“GBR are the defending champions and people have written them off before and they’ve come back and shocked everyone, so don’t count them out,” Slingsby said. “Nathan Outteridge is a light-air specialist also.”
The U.S. arrives in Geneva with strong recent form after victory in Valencia moved the team into third place in the championship.
However, the Americans will have a change behind the wheel after Taylor Canfield was ruled out through injury. Martine Grael will step in as driver for the Geneva event.
With light and tactical conditions expected on Lake Geneva, the change adds another element to a contest where small margins could have a major impact on the championship standings.
For Slingsby and the Bonds Flying Roos, attention is already turning towards preparing for the Grand Final.
Securing qualification earlier than in previous seasons gives the Australian team considerably more time to work on weaknesses and refine its performance before the championship decider.
“Last year we had five minutes to focus on the Final,” Slingsby said. “Now we’ve got months. We’re still aiming to win every event.
“We’ve still got to improve on the mistakes we’ve made before the Grand Final.”
While Australia can race in Geneva knowing its Grand Final place is secure, the pressure is building for the teams behind them as the 2026 season approaches its conclusion.
Source: SailGP
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