Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S600 LEADERBOARD

Kiwi shifts to Swiss SailGP team along with several Alinghi America's Cup crew

by SailGP 19 Oct 2024 09:47 PDT
Stewart Dodson (NZL) is one of several crew joining the Swiss SailGP team - now in private ownership © SailGP

Incoming Switzerland grinder Stewart Dodson has cited the team’s private ownership as ‘key’ to his decision to transfer from Spain.

Dodson was a grinder on board the Spanish team for the entirety of last season, helping the team rise from its last place in Season 3 to winning the overall Season 4 Championship.

The current off-season period has been rife with transfer news as teams prepare their crew line-ups for next season. Switzerland has been no exception, announcing Dodson as part of its 2025 Season team.

Dodson described the decision to move from the Spanish team ‘after such a successful season’ as ‘difficult’, but highlighted the additional ‘security’ of joining a privately owned team.

“With the future of the Spanish team being up in the air a little bit with funding and ownership, it felt more secure to change [to] Switzerland,” he said.

Dodson joins a largely reshuffled Swiss crew line-up, which includes Arnaud Psarofaghis as wing trimmer and Bryan Mettraux as flight controller. Both competed as part of the Swiss America’s Cup Challenger, Alinghi Red Bull Racing, while Psarofaghis has previous SailGP experience - driving for Spain and New Zealand at standalone events.

Looking ahead, Dodson predicted ‘a really bright future’ for the Swiss team, which will look to rebound from its last place finish in Season 4. “There’s been a lot of crew changes happening and I think with the new team we’ve got involved, it’ll be a very exciting season ahead.”

The hope, he added, is that Switzerland is ‘fighting for the podium’ next season. “Obviously it’s going to be a great challenge - there’s a lot of hard work to be done, but I think with the team we’ve got involved, it’s very possible.”

Preparation for the upcoming season is well underway, with plenty of team meetings ‘dividing up responsibilities, preparing playbooks’ and investigating past racing data. “We’re working out how we can hit the ground running as fast as possible in Dubai with limited training time."

Related Articles

Ava Yachts sells first Kando85 Model
Constructed with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure AvA Yachts is delighted to announce that the first hull of its Kando85 model has been sold with Maria Razumi from Smart Yachts introducing the buyer. Delivery is scheduled for early 2026. Posted on 15 Mar
Sea.AI makes U.S. debut of Watchkeeper
At the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2025 Sea.AI is making waves at the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2025 with the official U.S. launch of Watchkeeper, its newest safety system. Posted on 15 Mar
Introducing the Hinckley 41
Commanding power, timeless elegance The new Hinckley 41 is a masterclass in precision, craftsmanship, and refined performance. Propelled by triple Mercury Verado V10 outboards, it glides across the water with unshakable confidence, reaching speeds of nearly 60 mph. Posted on 15 Mar
Celebrating 30 years of Palm Beach Motor Yachts
With 3 models on display at the Palm Beach Boat Show The Palm Beach International Boat Show will take place March 19-23, along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach, directly across from Palm Beach Island. Posted on 14 Mar
Baglietto expands range with new T54
This new model's classic and slender lines preserve the timeless beauty of the range Baglietto's range expands with a new 54m named T54 under 500GT pencilled by Francesco Paszkowski Design. Posted on 14 Mar
Ferretti Group brings innovation to Palm Beach
With six incredible yachts at the Palm Beach International Boat Show Ferretti Group brings a fleet of unrivalled beauty and innovation to the Palm Beach International Boat Show. Posted on 12 Mar
Two boats. Same Direction.
You know the deal… It means there's a race on. You know the deal… It means there's a race on. So, the second South Pacific Superyacht Rendezvous is set for August 26 to 29, 2025. If it is even half as much fun and interesting as the first one, then it will bolster its burgeoning reputation. Posted on 9 Mar
Double debut for Tankoa Yachts
At the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2025 Signed in 2021 and delivered in the summer of 2024, Diamond Binta is a stunning fusion of innovation and elegance, showcasing the latest achievement from the renowned Tankoa Yachts shipyard in Italy. Posted on 8 Mar
Jeanneau NC 1295 Coupe first look
The latest flagship model designed for effortless family cruising Introducing the NC 1295 Coupe, the latest flagship model designed for effortless family cruising. Posted on 8 Mar
Meet the new Albatross
A Delta Marine 72.2 m yacht that underwent an impressive refit and layout transformation Damen Yachting relaunched ALBATROSS, a Delta Marine 72.2 m yacht that underwent an impressive refit and layout transformation in the last 26 months. Posted on 8 Mar
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo 2023 S600 FOOTER