Bol d’Or du Leman 2025: Win for ‘RealTeam’

by Editor · Published June 17, 2025 · Updated June 17, 2025

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All images Bol d’Or Lehman / boldorduleman.ch

Bol d’Or du Léman 2025

This year edition went to a TF35 Platform, not a ‘proper’ TF35 Class Cat as RealTeam decided to use C boards and straight standard rudders instead of the TF35 Foiling package. RealTeam finished 4 mins ahead another TF35 C Foil equipped, Sail of Change 8, to win the annual Bol d’Or blue ribbon this Saturday a Lake Lehman.

4th place for former Queen of the Lakes, Christian Wahl’s ‘Decision 35’ with standard straight daggers. For some reason RealTeam D35 was not listed as is, and didn’t compete within the TF35 Class Trophy, aleady inquired the Class to see why. At first thought on using C boards, by Guichard (second place) also had them in his Sails off Change TF35.

First monhull to arrive ‘Carondimonio’ , this 12.70mts trapezes and wing-trampoline equipped mono (see pics above) took 19hs:59:32 to finish the race.

Top 30 results, complete table here. Bol d’Or du Léman official page: https://boldorduleman.ch

Below completed detailed report by Esteban Garcia’s RealTeam media G-Translated from French:

ESTEBAN GARCIA – REALTEAM

“THE TROPHY BACK TO LAUSANNE!

Historic victory for Esteban Garcia’s Realteam Spirit, co-skippered by Jérôme Clerc, at the end of a demanding race where every decision counted. With very little wind on Lake Geneva, strategy and tactical precision made all the difference. Thirteen years after its first title, the Lausanne team returned to the top step of the podium for the second time. A historic performance, dedicated to the Léman Hope Foundation.

The Bol d’Or, a legend of Lake Geneva

It’s the world’s largest regatta in a closed basin. 400 boats line up, whether there’s 30 knots or zero wind. An event as legendary as it is mystical. Nothing is ever decided until the Société Nautique de Genève lighthouse, where the finish is judged. This year, by skipping the other races on the TF35 calendar, Realteam Spirit’s goal was to focus on the Bol d’Or to win. Win to bring the trophy back to Lausanne. But above all, win for the Léman Hope Foundation, which helps young people in remission from cancer regain confidence through sailing.

A team ready for the challenge

Friday, 6:00 p.m.: Geneva Nautical Society

In the final moments before launching, a decision must be made. Which daggerboards should we choose: C-Boards or T-Foils? The weather forecast is clear: not a breath of wind on the horizon, a few breezes forecast for the night, but nothing solid. We won’t arrive before nightfall, that’s for sure. The team therefore sets off in C-Boards configuration in the M1 category, that of Archimedean multihulls. The technicians work all night to put the boat into “race” mode, ready to take on the Bol d’Or du Léman.

Saturday, 8:00 a.m.: departure for the starting line

Esteban Garcia, owner and co-skipper, sets the tone: “The Bol is going to be long, very long… and hot! But the team’s morale is high, ready to do battle! The boat is competitive, we’re ready to compete with the fleet of TF35s, the D35s and the M2s.”

Saturday, 9:00 a.m.:

Final weather briefing , with Sébastien Col, the tactician: “A trying day ahead. A steely mentality required.”

Following this, Jérôme Clerc made the crucial decision to set sail with only two sails. The technical team adjusted the boat a few minutes before the start. This is what we call Realteam Spirit!

Saturday, 10:00 a.m.: Cannon shot

Here we go. Here’s the crew: Esteban Garcia, owner and co-skipper; Jérôme Clerc, skipper; Sébastien Col, tactician; Gurvan Bontemps, mainsail trimmer; Eliot Merceron, number 1; Benjamin Amiot, headsail trimmer. In addition to Realteam Spirit, three other TF35s have opted for C-Boards: Ylliam 17, Sails of Change 8, and Zen Too. Other rivals to watch out for are the M2s—very efficient when there’s little wind—and, of course, the lake wizard, Christian Wahl, the event’s record holder.

A tense but controlled progression

Saturday, 11:30 a.m.: a solid start

Realteam gets off to an excellent start with Zen Too and Sails of Change 8. The trio quickly pulls away. It’s hot, very hot. The umbrellas come out. The wind remains light, but enough to keep moving. They have to hang on tight to ensure victory for Léman Hope. Since 2020, Realteam has been sailing for this foundation, which takes children and teenagers in remission from cancer on four-day cruises on Lake Geneva aboard sailboats. “Sailing for our values and holding them high,” summarizes Esteban Garcia. That’s the Realteam Spirit.

Saturday, 1:00 p.m.: passage to Yvoire

The team fluctuates between first and third place. The D35s and M2s remain threatening. Nothing is ever decided at the Bol d’Or; everything can be decided in the final meters.

The strategic move

Saturday, 2:30 p.m.: Heading for the French coast

A strategic choice by Sébastien Col. A bold but profitable choice in these soft conditions, as the C-Board fins make all the difference.

Saturday, 4:45 p.m.: In the lead at Bouveret

For the fifth consecutive year, Realteam crossed the halfway mark in the lead, with an 8-minute lead over Sails of Change 8. But the hardest part begins: the climb back to Geneva.

Saturday, 7:00 p.m.: Thonon, the transition

A tough blow: the team loses its lead. SUI 8 (Sails of Change), helmed by Yann Guichard, takes the lead. Tensions rise.

The night, the suspense, the change

Saturday, 9:00 p.m.: the sun sets

Realteam is holding on. Behind, Zen Too and several M2s are catching up. The gap is slim. Everything could still change on this windless night, where every gust of wind becomes a weapon.

Saturday, 11:00 p.m.: Threat in the night

SUI 8 maintains the advantage over Realteam. Zen Too pushes hard. Five M2s – including DCM Systematic – are also threatening. And as is often the case, Christian Wahl comes back from the bottom of the rankings…

Sunday, 00:01: approaching Geneva

Total suspense. After temporarily losing second place, Realteam has moved back ahead of Zen Too. All that’s left is to overtake Sails of Change 8. The battle is tight all the way to Pointe-à-la-Bise. Jérôme Clerc: “We’re staying focused. We know it could come down to a single maneuver.”

Sunday, 1:08 a.m.: Jeff, boat captain of Realteam

“It’s starting to smell good for us!”

Finish line, line of emotion

01:26: final cannon shot

Realteam Spirit crossed the finish line after 15 hours, 26 minutes, and 5 seconds of racing and won the 2025 Bol d’Or du Léman. An explosion of joy! The race was controlled from start to finish thanks to a winning strategy. The C-Board gamble, risky in such uncertain weather, proved decisive. Jérôme Clerc: “It was a risky bet, because the Bol d’Or also involves a bit of luck. But we did it. The team worked like crazy, everything was managed perfectly. We’re proud to give this victory to Léman Hope.” Champagne, midnight swim, emotion on the pontoon. Thirteen years after its first victory, the Lausanne team lifts the trophy for the second time. A victory for the team, for those who followed them. But above all, a victory for Léman Hope.”

#WinningIsNotEnough