Esteban Garcia on the podium of the Geneva-Rolle-Geneva in TF35

Esteban Garcia made it onto the podium at the Geneva-Rolle-Geneva in the TF35 class aboard Realteam Spirit. He clinched a hard-won 2nd place in the season’s first major long distance race. A performance achieved at the end of a highly unusual scenario where patience, reading the water and tactical decisions took precedence over speed.

Esteban Garcia on the podium of the Geneva-Rolle-Geneva after a long tactical battle

The 62nd edition of the Geneva-Rolle-Geneva was anything but a typical race for the TF35s. During the 30 nautical mile course, the wind rarely made an appearance, transforming the event into a succession of waiting periods, repositioning and tactical gambles.

From the start of the race, Realteam Spirit showed tremendous ingenuity, as the crew quickly took command of the fleet, even leading the transition towards Rolle in first place.

A fickle Lake Geneva over many long hours

As the afternoon progressed, conditions became increasingly complicated. Between Yvoire and Rolle, the TF35s were making ground at a snail’s pace on a mirror-smooth Lake Geneva. There was absolutely no movement on some sections of the lake while a few pressure corridors allowed some progress to be made. The return to Geneva was more like a game of chess than a high speed race. Crews were on the alert for the slightest breath of wind as the light gradually faded over Lake Geneva.

A finish lasting seconds at night

After more than ten hours of sailing, the fleet finally approached the finish in Geneva in darkness, with victory going down to the wire in the last few metres. Ylliam 17 managed to cling on to their slim lead to cross the finish line nine seconds ahead of Realteam Spirit. Behind them, Sails of Change 10 completed the podium, a mere two seconds adrift of Esteban Garcia and his crew. Rarely can such a long race have produced such a close finish.

Consistency pays off with this result for Realteam Spirit

This 2nd place adds fuel to a great start to the season for Realteam Spirit on the TF35 circuit. Esteban Garcia made it onto the podium of the Geneva-Rolle-Geneva after leading the race for much of the course.

It is a solid result for what follows for the Lake Geneva season, which looks set to be particularly competitive between the seven teams competing for this year’s Championship title.

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