The TF35 Nyon Grand Prix, marking the start of the 2025 TF35 season, kicked off on Lake Geneva with six foiling catamarans competing in a gentle 5-knot breeze. Two races were held on the opening day, setting the stage for a competitive season.
A standout performance came from Marco Favale’s X-WING, which made a notable debut by consistently maintaining a strong position among the leaders, ultimately securing second place overall for the day. In the first race, X-WING faced initial difficulties but managed to recover and finish fourth, with Ylliam 17 and Ylliam XII taking the top two spots. The second race saw X-WING achieve an excellent start, leading for a period before ultimately finishing second to Zen Too.
By the end of Day 1, the competition was incredibly close, with Zen Too, X-WING, and Sails of Change 8 all tied for the lead with six points each. Ylliam 17 and Ylliam XII were hot on their heels, each with seven points, while Sails of Change 10 rounded out the standings with ten points.
The TF35 organization is dedicated to the TF35 foiling catamarans, providing a central hub for all aspects related to these high-performance boats. Their website features a comprehensive overview including news, details on participating teams, upcoming events, past results, videos, and a list of partners.
Recent highlights from their news section include Ylliam 17’s victory at the TF35 Nyon Grand Prix, Sails of Change 10’s strong performance in light wind conditions, and X-WING’s impressive second-place finish on the opening day of the Nyon Grand Prix, marking their recent addition to the TF35 Trophy Fleet. For those interested in staying updated, the organization offers a newsletter that delivers behind-the-scenes content and the latest developments from the world of TF35s.
The upcoming events for the TF35 Trophy in 2025:
Mies Grand Prix: June 6 & 8, 2025
Genève-Rolle-Genève: June 7, 2025
Bol d’Or du Léman: June 14, 2025
Mailly Grand Prix: September 11 – 13, 2025
Crans Grand Prix: September 26 – 28, 2025
Geneva Grand Prix: October 10 – 12, 2025
TF35 teams Overview:
- Realteam Sailing: Founded in 2013 by Esteban Garcia and led by skipper Jérôme Clerc, Realteam Sailing is a highly decorated team that has competed at the highest levels of professional racing. They were the champions of the inaugural TF35 Trophy in 2021 and are known for their precision, team spirit, and excellence, also supporting the Léman hope charity.
- Sails of Change 8: As reigning champions of the TF35 Trophy, Sails of Change 8, skippered by multihull expert Yann Guichard, consistently sets a high pace on the circuit. This elite French-based team, founded by Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard, focuses on defending their title and prioritizing major races like the Bol d’Or.
- Sails of Change 10: Also part of the Sails of Change professional sailing team, this boat is skippered by Duncan Späth. They are part of the larger Sails of Change fleet which includes two TF35s and a maxi-trimaran, demonstrating their expertise in multihull racing.
- X-WING: Making its debut in the TF35 Trophy in 2025, X-WING is led by Marco Favale, a Franco-Italian entrepreneur and former alpine ski racer. The team brings a mix of ambition and curiosity to the class, featuring a seasoned crew with America’s Cup experience, aiming to challenge the best while enjoying the unique sensation of foiling.
- Ylliam XII – Comptoir Immobilier: Helmed by Bertrand Demole, this team represents a long-standing presence in high-performance sailing on Lake Geneva, having transitioned from the D35 class to the TF35. They emphasize the accessibility of the TF35 due to its flight control system, allowing non-professional sailors to helm.
- Ylliam 17: Skippered by Julien Firmenich, Ylliam 17 joined the TF35 class in 2023. The team blends seasoned Lake Geneva sailors with top international talent, focusing on continuous improvement to break into the top tier of the fleet after a steady progression in previous seasons.
- ZEN Too: One of the longest-standing teams in the fleet, Zen Too has been involved in high-performance multihull racing since 2009. Skippered by Loïc Forestier, the team embraced the transition to the TF35’s advanced technology and high-speed dynamics, including foiling upwind, and aims for long-term technical growth and competitive results.
For more information on this beautiful hydrofoiling catamaran class at https://tf35.org/
