DS Automobiles SailGP Team France Aims to Consolidate Top 5 with New Wing Trimmer Enzo Balanger in New York
DS Automobiles SailGP Team France will debut academy sailor Enzo Balanger as wing trimmer at the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix this weekend, aiming to cement its fifth-place championship standing.
5th
1
May 30-31, 2026
What Happened
DS Automobiles SailGP Team France heads to the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix on May 30-31 with a reshaped crew. Despite injuries to wing trimmers Leigh McMillan and Glenn Ashby, the team sits fifth in the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship after gaining one position in Bermuda. Academy sailor Enzo Balanger will make his racing debut as wing trimmer, and no practice racing will be held before the event.
5th overall in 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship
Gained one position after Bermuda event
“I know the level this team can reach when everything is working at 100%, and I know what it’s capable of. The season hasn’t been easy with the successive injuries, so for me it’s obviously a huge source of pride to now have the opportunity to step onboard as wing trimmer.”
Why this matters
The team has faced injuries to experienced wing trimmers, and the debut of a young talent from the K-Challenge Akademy highlights SailGP's development pipeline. This race is critical for maintaining momentum in a competitive championship.
Terms in This Story
- wing trimmer
- Crew member responsible for adjusting the wing sail on a SailGP F50 catamaran.
- foiling
- Sailing with the hull lifted out of the water using hydrofoils for reduced drag.
- Moth World Champion
- Winner of the Moth class, a single-handed foiling dinghy.
- SailGP
- International sailing league featuring high-speed foiling catamarans.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.