Switzerland SailGP Team makes NY debut this weekend
by Switzerland SailGP Team 21 Jun 14:58 PDT
22-23 June 2024
Switzerland SailGP Team © Switzerland SailGP Team
The tour of North America continues for Switzerland SailGP Team this weekend, the team makes its racing debut in the iconic city of New York.
The high-speed racing action takes place off Governors Island, close to the Statue of Liberty, from 16.30 ET / 22:30 CEST on Saturday and Sunday.
New York is the penultimate and 12th event of SailGP Season 4. The last time the fleet raced in the city was back in Season 1 in 2019, an event driver Nathan Outteridge and his Japan SailGP Team won. Outteridge said: "It's feels like a long time since I last raced here! We had a very different weather pattern for that event, and a different racecourse, so I think what we are going to see this weekend is going to be quite different to back then.
"The currents play a big issue here, so if we get light winds then it could cause some havoc for us, but if it's windy and we are foiling - like we have been the past two days during training and practice racing - then it's not such an issue as we are going so fast. New York is one of the most iconic cities in the world and it's great to be back sailing here."
Outteridge races onboard F50 Eiger alongside Will Ryan (wing trimmer), Laurane Mettraux (strategist) and grinders, Julien Rolaz, Eliot Merceron and Jérémy Bachelin. François Morvan rejoins the team in the flight controller position, stepping in for Nicolas Rolaz, and Emmett Lazich continues to support as team coach.
The Swiss have been on the water the past few days for training and a series of practice races. It's an encouraging start for the team after taking the win in practice race two and finishing third overall today.
Wing trimmer Will Ryan said: "It's a new venue for us and we have a new flight controller too - it's good to have François back! He's done a great job so far this week [in training and practice]. It's an incredible racecourse here in New York, the breeze is just kicking in and I think this is what we are going to get for the weekend. We made some good steps forward on the water today, things are coming together, and we are looking forward to a great weekend of racing out there."
Three fleet races will take place on Saturday and two on Sunday followed by the three-team winner takes final race. Season leader New Zealand is currently top of the fleet with a commanding 11-point lead over Spain in second, while triple Championship champion Australia has slid down to third overall with 71 points. After New York the fleet returns to San Francisco for the Grand Final, 14-15 July.
Earlier this month the team was home in Geneva to launch the first ever Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix, taking place 20-21 September 2025. Hear from co-driver Sebastien Schneiter on bringing the league to Switzerland next year:
Switzerland SailGP Team crew line up:
- Nathan Outteridge - Driver
- Will Ryan - Wing trimmer
- François Morvan - Flight controller
- Laurane Mettraux - Strategist
- Julien Rolaz - Grinder (G1)
- Eliot Merceron - Grinder (G1)
- Jérémy Bachelin - Grinder (G2)