The Germany SailGP Team, competing under the Deutsche Bank banner and helmed by Erik Kosegarten-Heil, achieved a landmark victory on 21 September 2025, seizing their first ever SailGP event title at the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix on Lake Geneva.
This win was particularly significant: it was Germany’s breakthrough. The team had been improving steadily since entering the SailGP Championship in Season 3, but had yet to claim an event until their performance in Geneva.
The event weekend was marked by light and tricky wind conditions, especially on Sunday. Foiling was difficult under weakened wind speeds, putting a premium on consistency, tactical decisions, and good starts. Despite the challenge, Germany delivered. They won one of the fleet races (race four), followed by a third in race five, which gave them enough points to reach their first ever event final. In the final, they prevailed over Australia (finishing second) and host nation Switzerland (third).
Erik Heil spoke of both relief and pride, noting how special the day was, especially given the support they received around the venue from the crowd. He acknowledged that the conditions had not been easy, but believed they “put on a good show for the conditions we had.”
The victory also had broader implications for the season standings and the narrative of SailGP. Germany’s win means they are now the seventh different team to win a GP this season—underscoring the depth of competition. For the Switzerland Team, finishing third at home, in front of a sell-out crowd of about 8,500 ticketed fans plus many more from spectator boats and the shore, was a proud achievement and a sign of their growing character and potential.
In sum, Germany’s performance in Geneva reflects not just a breakthrough result but a culmination of incremental improvement—a team that has learned to manage pressure, adapt to difficult conditions, and execute when it matters. For Germany’s SailGP Team, this is a milestone: their first event win, earned through resilience, skill, and strategic sailing
