The Versoix Grand Prix, the sixth and penultimate event of the 2026 TF35 Trophy, came to a close on Sunday in particularly light-air conditions. After three days of racing marked by unstable breeze and significant shifts in direction, Sails of Change 8 finished fourth overall at the Grand Prix and retained the lead of the championship ahead of the final event of the season. For Sails of Change 10, the weekend provided valuable insights and plenty of work to take forward.
While the forecast had pointed to stronger breeze on Friday and Saturday, the crews instead had to contend with highly variable conditions, with the wind ranging from 5 to 12 knots and shifts of up to 30 degrees during a single race.
“It was a difficult weekend for all the competitors. We had very unstable conditions over the three days, both in terms of wind strength and direction. You really had to find the small patches of pressure on the racecourse,” explains Yann Guichard, skipper and helmsman of Sails of Change 8.
A particularly demanding Grand Prix
On Friday, four races were sailed in a Séchard ranging from 7 to 10 knots. Although the breeze was lighter than expected, the conditions proved particularly challenging to read, with uneven pressure across the racecourse and significant shifts in direction.
The instability continued into Saturday. The crews had to remain constantly alert to changes in the breeze, adjusting their tactics and sail trim to find the best lanes across the racecourse.
“We were expecting stronger breeze on Friday and Saturday. In the end, we had very shifty conditions, with the wind ranging from 5 to 12 knots and major shifts during the races, sometimes of up to 30 degrees. It wasn’t easy. You had to be really inspired, and it was tiring for everyone out on the water,” says Yann Guichard.
With the fleet so tightly packed, every race had the potential to significantly reshuffle the standings. After two days of racing, the gaps at the front of the fleet remained extremely tight.
A strong comeback for Sails of Change 8
Going into the final day, Sails of Change 8 was sitting sixth in the provisional Grand Prix standings. On Sunday, only one race could eventually be sailed in very light breeze.
Yann Guichard and his crew delivered a strong comeback to finish fourth overall at the event, an important result with the championship in mind.
“Julien on Ylliam 17 and Bertrand on Comptoir Immobilier sailed very well with their respective crews. It was a little more difficult for us, but we finished on a positive note. On Sunday morning, we were sixth overall at the Grand Prix and moved up to fourth. It was important to make that comeback for the overall championship standings,” says Yann Guichard.
The comeback allows Sails of Change 8 to retain the championship lead after the penultimate event of the season. However, the gaps have tightened, with several crews now within striking distance.
“We’re still leading the championship, but ZEN Too and the other crews have closed the gap. Everything will come down to the final Grand Prix,” Yann Guichard adds.
Sails of Change 10: lessons to build on
For Sails of Change 10, the Versoix Grand Prix was also an opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of the gaps to the other crews and identify several areas for improvement.
In such shifty conditions, the three days of racing provided plenty of valuable comparisons and insights to take into the next stage of the season.
“We discovered quite a few things this weekend, and it gives us plenty of work to do for what’s next. We’re already looking forward to the next Grand Prix to work on it. We had some good comparisons with the other boats, and we’ll make sure to put all of that into practice and keep moving forward a little faster!” explains Duncan Späth, skipper and helmsman of Sails of Change 10.
For the crew, the next event will be an opportunity to turn these lessons into action and continue building their performance.
As Duncan Späth and his crew like to say: “A bad day on the water beats a good day in the office!”
Everything comes down to the final Grand Prix
The Versoix Grand Prix once again showed just how quickly even the slightest shift in the breeze can reshuffle the fleet in such a tight and competitive class.
For Sails of Change 8, the objective is now clear: hold on to the championship lead and fight for the title at the final event of the season. For Sails of Change 10, the focus will be on building on the work started in Versoix and turning the lessons from the weekend into performance.
The final showdown awaits at the Grand Prix de Genève, from 2 to 4 October.
