Canada Sail Grand Prix Halifax: DS Automobiles SailGP Team France continues its rebuild while staying in the championship fight

HALIFAX – SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 2026 – DS Automobiles SailGP Team France wrapped up the Canada Sail Grand Prix Halifax with the welcome return of strategist Manon Audinet and a crew continuing to gain experience in its new configuration. In light and highly technical conditions that challenged the fleet throughout the weekend, the French team finished 10th overall in an event won by Spain. While the result falls short of the team's ambitions, it does not fully reflect the progress made within the group, which remains firmly in contention for a place in the SailGP Grand Final. The French squad now sits sixth in the overall championship standings, still within striking distance of the championship podium.

The Halifax event also marked Manon Audinet’s first competition appearance since the Auckland incident, while wing trimmer Enzo Balanger was competing in only his second Sail Grand Prix. With just four days of sailing together in this new crew configuration and no additional training opportunities, the weekend highlighted both the challenges and the continued development of the team as it works to regain its place among the front-runners.

A challenging weekend in light conditions

Following a first day characterized by unstable and light breeze, conditions remained marginal on Sunday in Halifax Harbour.

With forecasts predicting very light winds, Race Management brought racing forward in an effort to maximize the chances of completing the schedule. Teams ultimately raced with the large wing and large foils in conditions that often sat right on the edge of foiling.

For the final day, crews also raced with only four athletes onboard, requiring Jason Saunders to combine his usual responsibilities with grinding duties.

In conditions where every start and every tactical decision could mean gaining or losing multiple positions, margins across the fleet remained incredibly tight.

Still building against an increasingly competitive fleet

Despite improvements in the starting phase on Sunday, DS Automobiles SailGP Team France was unable to establish itself at the front of an exceptionally competitive fleet.

Racing deep within the pack, even the smallest mistakes quickly translated into lost positions that proved difficult to recover in the light breeze, where overtaking opportunities were limited.

Quentin Delapierre, Driver – DS Automobiles SailGP Team France

“We were probably a little more comfortable today than yesterday in these foiling conditions with the large wing and large foils. We managed to be more competitive at certain starts, but not enough to consistently position ourselves ahead of the fleet.

When we find ourselves in the middle of the pack, we still lack some of the collective experience and automatic reactions needed to compete with the most polished teams. That’s frustrating because we know where we want to be, but we also have to accept where we are and keep moving forward.

We’re going to lose a few points in the standings, but the season is still long and a lot can happen. Our focus now is to keep working and continue closing the gap to the level we know we can reach.”

Manon Audinet returns to racing

The Halifax event also marked the long-awaited return of Manon Audinet following several months of rehabilitation after the Auckland accident.

Her return was a major boost for the French team as one of its key athletes stepped back onboard the F50.

Manon Audinet, Strategist – DS Automobiles SailGP Team France

“I was really happy to be back with the team and back on the boat. It was obviously a special weekend after being away from competition for several months.

We were a little more in the game on the starts today, which is a positive sign, even if we were still fighting towards the back of the fleet. There’s still plenty of work ahead of us, but I’m happy to be back and already looking forward to Portsmouth.”

Philippe Presti: “We are progressing faster than the results suggest”

For Team Manager Philippe Presti, the Halifax result needs to be viewed within the context of the team’s ongoing rebuilding process.

Philippe Presti, Team Manager – DS Automobiles SailGP Team France

“I think we are broadly where we should be right now. We have a new wing trimmer competing in only his second event, a team that is still rebuilding and very limited time sailing together.

Despite that, I see a group that improves every time we go on the water. Technically, we are not far away. What we still need are the collective instincts and automatic reactions that make the difference when the pressure rises and the fleet tightens up.

The positive takeaway is our ability to adapt. We are moving forward, learning and building something solid. It takes time, but I’m convinced that work will pay off.”

Spain takes the win as the championship battle continues

After a highly competitive weekend defined by changing conditions and razor-thin margins throughout the fleet, Spain emerged victorious in Halifax.

For DS Automobiles SailGP Team France, the Canadian event may not have delivered the result the team was hoping for, but it marked the return of Manon Audinet and another important step in Enzo Balanger’s integration into the crew.

Eyes on Portsmouth

The championship now enters a critical phase, with every point carrying increasing importance in the race toward the Grand Final.

Currently sixth overall, DS Automobiles SailGP Team France will head to Portsmouth determined to continue building momentum and move back towards the front of the fleet as the season progresses.

RANKING CANADA SAIL GRAND PRIX HALIFAX
1.LOS GALLOS, Diego Botin
2.ARTEMIS, Nathan Outteridge
3.EXPLORA JOURNEYS SWISS, Sébastien Schneiter
4.BONDS FLYING ROOS, Tom Slingsby
5.US. SAILGP TEAM, Taylor Canfield
6.BLACK FOILS, Pete Burling
7.NORTHSTAR, Giles Scott
8. GERMANY BY DEUTSCHE BANK, Eric Heil
9.RED BULL ITALY, Phil Robertson
10.DS AUTOMOBILES SAILGP TEAM FRANCE, Quentin Delapierre
11.ROCKWOOL RACING, Nicolai Sehested
12.EMIRATES GBR, Dylan Fletcher
13.MUBADALA BRAZIL, Martine Grael

RANKING ROLEX SAILGP CHAMPIONSHIP SAISON 2026
1. BONDS FLYING ROOS, Tom Slingsby - 62 pts
2. LOS GALLOS, Diego Botin - 44 pts
3. EMIRATES GBR, Dylan Fletcher - 44 pts
4. US. SAILGP TEAM, Taylor Canfield - 41 pts
5. ARTEMIS, Nathan Outteridge - 38 pts
6. DS TEAM FRANCE, Quentin Delapierre - 33 pts
7. GERMANY BY DEUTSCHE BANK, Erik Heil - 27 pts
8. NORTHSTAR, Giles Scott - 23 pts
9. RED BULL ITALY, Phil Robertson - 22 pts
10.ROCKWOOL RACING, Nicolai Sehested - 22 pts
11.EXPLORA SWISS, Sébastien Schneiter - 10 pts
12. BLACK FOILS, Peter Burling - 8 pts
13. MUBADALA BRAZIL, Martine Grael - 8 pts