After a successful training weekend in early May, the TF35 Trophy 2025 kicks off with six high-performance teams poised for action.

After its launch in 2021, the teams of the TF35 cutting-edge foiling catamaran have been on a steep learning curve and four years in the fleet is compact and the racing competitive thanks to the development of the fully automated flight control system that adjusts the foils allowing for more controll at high speeds and maintain stable flight in winds as low as 7 knots.

“The boat flies early and fast and is getting better and better, and the technological development has reached maturity,” comments Bertrand Favre, Class Director. “Last year, Sails of Change 8 joined the fleet with a new crew and won the championship. A new team is joining us again this year: the game is now wide open and anything can happen.”

Dominating the fleet in 2024 with victories at the TF35 Trophy, Bol d’Or Mirabaud, and Genève-Rolle-Genève Sails of Change 8, skippered by Yann Guichard returns with an unchanged crew—Noé Delpech, François Morvan, Bruno Mourniac, Adrien Mestre, and Solune Robert. “We want to be strong at every event, but the Bol d’Or sits right at the top of our priorities. It’s a unique race, tough until the final meters. You need to push your limits—and that’s what makes it so special,” says Guichard.

Returning for their second year of racing Sails of Change 10, helmed by Duncan Späth, gained a solid base of experience they in 2024 and return with the support of their committed crew tactian Yann Jauvin, Pieter Tack, Jules Bidegaray, Thibault Julien, and newcomer Julien d’Ortoli.

Making its TF35 Trophy debut this year, X-WING is led by Marco Favale, joined by a seasoned crew—Nicolas Charbonnier, Manu Dyen, Lucien Cujean, Yves Detrey, and Arthur Cevey. “Sailing a TF35 is a unique feeling. We’re not putting pressure on ourselves, but we’re aiming high. We want to take on the best,” says Favale.

With three podiums in 2024, Ylliam XII – Comptoir Immobilier, skippered by Bertrand Demole, returns with high ambitions. Veterans Billy Besson, Matthieu Vandame, and Alexis Rochas are joined by brothers Maxime and Jérémy Bachelin—a mix of proven talent and fresh energy aimed at moving up the leaderboard.

Helmed by Julien Firmenich, Ylliam 17 maintains the same tight-knit crew—Guillaume Rol, Ed Powys, Stewart Dodson, Matthieu Ravussin, and Nelson Mettraux—now with expert coaching from Stevie Morrison. Strong early-season training results have raised the team’s expectations.

The team whos has probably made the most progress over the course of the last few years is Guy de Picciotto's  ZEN Too. With Loïc Forestier, Valentin Sipan, Grégoire Siegwart, Gaulthier Germain, and Alex Detrey onboard, the team also welcomes Louis Chambet to boost electronic performance.

“The level is incredibly tight, the boats are faster—our goal is to match last year’s level or better. We’ve reinforced the electronics side, because that’s a key area. Of course results matter, but for us, it’s about how we get there,” explains helm Loïc Forestier.