SAILGP
THE NEXT GENERATION: WHO WILL BE THE FUTURE SAILGP SUPERSTARS?
SailGP is packed with sailing superstars. Olympic medallists, World Champions and some of the greatest sailors the sport has ever seen are racing on the circuit today, but every era eventually gives way to the next.
The current generation will undoubtedly try to stay at the top for as long as possible, chasing prize money, championship titles and the adrenaline of racing one of the fastest boats in the world. Yet even the biggest names eventually step aside, Jimmy Spithill and Sir Ben Ainslie are proof of that.
It wasn’t long ago that Diego Botin and Florian Trittel were considered the young challengers. Today, they are SailGP Champions and Olympic gold medallists, so who are the athletes following in their footsteps?
DS Automobiles Team France – Enzo Ballanger
At just 25 years old, Enzo Ballanger already has one of the strongest foiling résumés of his generation.
The Frenchman made an immediate impression in SailGP when he stepped into the Wing Trimmer role for DS Automobiles Team France after Leigh McMillan and Glenn Ashby were sidelined through injury. Thrown straight into competition in New York with limited preparation, Ballanger showed the composure and skill required at the highest level.
His credentials speak for themselves. Ballanger is the reigning International Moth World Champion, defeating SailGP stars Dylan Fletcher, Diego Botin and Tom Slingsby to claim the title. The Moth has become a proving ground for many of the world’s best foiling sailors, demanding technical expertise and exceptional decision-making. He also led the French Youth America’s Cup team in 2024, further cementing his reputation as one of France’s brightest young talents.
With an instinctive understanding of foiling and the ability to perform under pressure, Ballanger has all the ingredients needed to become a long-term fixture on the SailGP circuit.
BONDS Flying Roos – Tash Bryant
Tash Bryant has already established herself as a key member of the BONDS Flying Roos, calling strategy alongside some of the biggest names in SailGP. Since joining the Australian team in 2023, she has had a front-row seat to the highest level of the sport, learning from one of the most successful teams on the circuit.
Bryant’s foundations were built in skiffs, campaigning in the 49erFX class with Olympic ambitions and gaining valuable international racing experience before embracing the sport’s shift towards high-performance foiling. From the Inspire WASZP program in 2019 to competing in the iQFOiL windsurfing class and continuing to develop her skills through wing foiling, she has immersed herself in the discipline, building the instincts, feel and reactions required for high-speed racing.
While Bryant has become one of SailGP’s most respected young strategists, she has made no secret of her ambition to one day take the wheel. Learning alongside Tom Slingsby is an invaluable apprenticeship, giving her insight into the skills and intensity required to succeed on an F50. When that driving opportunity arises, Bryant will be ready.
United States SailGP Team – Harry Melges IV
Harry Melges IV joined the United States SailGP Team for the final event of the 2025 season as a reserve athlete, before joining the full-time roster for 2026.
At just 24 years old, Melges has already built an impressive sailing résumé across multiple disciplines. Named the 2021 US Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, he won the 2025 TP52 World Championship and overall 52 Super Series title at the helm. He also skippered the American Magic Youth America’s Cup team to a second-place finish in 2024, while working closely with Tom Slingsby and Paul Goodison throughout the senior campaign.
What makes Melges particularly exciting for SailGP is his versatility. Whether racing high-performance keelboats or foiling platforms, he has consistently demonstrated the ability to learn quickly and make smart decisions under pressure, both critical skills on an F50.
As part of the all-American crew, Melges is now building his experience, logging the hours required to secure his F50 licence and absorbing everything possible from one of the world’s most intense racing environments.
With proven results across multiple classes and the opportunity to develop within SailGP, Melges is well-positioned to become one of America’s next generation of sailing stars.
Germany SailGP Team by Deutsche Bank – Victoria Schultheis
Victoria Schultheis represents the next evolution of SailGP talent, building her reputation as one of the world’s most accomplished young foiling specialists.
The German sailor joined the Germany SailGP Team by Deutsche Bank as part of its expanded athlete pool in 2026, following a rapid rise through the foiling ranks. Schultheis originally campaigned in the 49erFX with Olympic ambitions before shifting her focus towards foiling.
After developing her skills in the WASZP, she transitioned into the Switch and Moth classes, quickly making her mark. She claimed the Women’s Moth World Championship in 2025 just months after stepping into the class, before adding the Switch World Championship to an extraordinary season. Her performances earned her the Female Foiling Sailor of the Year award in 2025.
While currently serving as a reserve athlete, the 25-year-old is studying computer science and business alongside developing a sailing analysis application. Her understanding of the data and technology driving SailGP performance adds another dimension to her already impressive skill set.
As SailGP continues to evolve, athletes who combine raw sailing ability with technical understanding will become increasingly valuable. Schultheis has both, and her pathway onto the F50 is one worth watching.