The Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix will make its highly anticipated debut on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September in Geneva, Switzerland, the home of Rolex.
Taking place on the stunning waters of Lake Geneva, against the backdrop of The Alps, the Grand Prix will be a milestone moment in the Swiss watchmaker’s partnership with the sport which dates back almost 70 years. Since 1958, Rolex has supported excellence across the sailing world, honouring the journey of the sport’s champions and its leading events, while inspiring the next generation of athletes.
Recognized as the innovative future of racing, the Rolex SailGP Championship is the world’s leading annual sailing series and sees the best athletes compete in national teams on identical foiling catamarans close to the shore.
Rolex has been a Founding Partner since its inception in 2019 and became Title Partner ahead of the 2025 Season. Rolex Testimonee Hannah Mills has been a trailblazer in the sport and became one of the league’s first female athletes in 2021. Competing this weekend for the Emirates GBR SailGP Team, Mills says:
“The Rolex SailGP Championship has completely changed the narrative around the sport. It is sailing like we have never seen it before, and I am very proud to be part of this journey.”
Reflecting on Rolex’s position at the heart of the sport, Chief Executive Officer of SailGP Sir Russell Coutts continues:
“The elevation of Rolex to Title Partner of SailGP represents a significant milestone for our partnership, building on an enormously successful founding relationship.
Rolex’s heritage in sailing brings unparalleled credibility to the championship while the brand’s commitment to the sport reinforces our mission of redefining the sport of professional sailing. With Rolex’s support we’re well positioned to continue to enhance our annual calendar of events, expand on our 12 national teams and deliver the kind of exceptional racing experience that both competitors and fans will appreciate.”
The Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix is the 10th event of this year’s championship and will see the teams compete in the season’s only freshwater Grand Prix. The unique conditions of the lake will demand adaptability with reduced drag impacting everything from the speed, lift and handling of the boats. Looking ahead to the race weekend Rolex Testimonee and sailing’s most decorated Olympian, Sir Ben Ainslie says:
“Lake Geneva is a remarkable location, and it will be very exciting to race there, especially as the home of our Title Partner, Rolex. Geneva has a strong sailing community, and Switzerland, despite being landlocked, has a history of incredible success in the sport. We’re expecting huge interest from Swiss fans.”
With only one round after Geneva, in Cadiz, Spain next month, before November’s season finale in Abu Dhabi, this weekend is set to be one of the most tactically demanding and important contests of the 2025 Season. Success on the water will require precision, skill and timing as the athletes are forced to push the limits of performance to secure their place in sailing’s history books.
Determined to claim their fourth championship is BONDS Flying Roos SailGP Team who currently sit third in the standings. For Rolex Testimonee and the team’s driver, Tom Slingsby, winning is down to team dynamics. The Australian says:
“In sailing, it’s about teamwork, communication and culture, those are the real performance drivers. We’re not just a group of talented athletes, we’re a collective, on a shared journey toward achieving the championship title.”
