For Switzerland, sailing has always been about making the most of what is available. With lakes instead of a coastline, Swiss sailors have built their careers on inland waters before taking their skills to some of the biggest stages in international sailing.
Now, SSL Team Switzerland is heading back to the SSL Gold Cup Final Series and this time, they are starting from the 1/8 Finals.
Ranked 20th in the SSL Nations Ranking, the Swiss team will join the competition in Rio de Janeiro alongside New Zealand, with their sights set on progressing further than they did in 2023.
Leading the team is Eric Monnin, a sailor with a long history at the highest level of match racing.
And his 2026 season has already delivered some impressive results. Together with Ute Wagner Monnin and Marc Monnin, Monnin won the OM International Ledro Match Race, a Stage 7 event of the 2026 World Match Racing Tour. He also led SSL Team Switzerland to second place at the 61st Congressional Cup, one of the most established match racing events on the international calendar.
That experience is particularly valuable for an SSL47 campaign, where nine sailors have to combine their individual skills and experience into one coordinated team.
The Swiss crew has not waited until Rio to start preparing.
After training together in 2025, the team returned to Grandson in 2026 for the SSL Gold Cup Summer Camp. The sessions provided another opportunity to develop their understanding of the SSL47 and, more importantly, strengthen the way the crew works together.
With sailors coming from different sailing backgrounds, time in the boat is essential. Every position has its own role, but the performance of the whole crew depends on how well those roles connect.
Grandson has therefore been an important part of the team’s preparation, another step in building a crew capable of performing under pressure in Rio.
The Swiss team knows what it takes to compete at the SSL Gold Cup Final Series. In Gran Canaria in 2023, they finished 12th, gaining their first taste of the unique challenges of the competition and the SSL47.
Three years later, they return with a different starting point. The next chapter will be written on the waters of Rio de Janeiro. From Swiss lakes to the biggest stage of the SSL Gold Cup, the Helvetic Lakers are ready to see how far this team can go.
Check out their social media accounts and website:
SSL Team Switzerland Instagram & Facebook
SSL Team Switzerland Website