Swiss Sailors Set Sights on 2028 Olympic Medals in LA

Missing an Olympic medal by one spot isn't the end of the story for three determined Swiss sailors. It's just the beginning of their next chapter.

Maud Jayet, Sébastien Schneiter, and Arno de Planta are aiming for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics with renewed focus. All three competed in the 2024 Games, and Jayet came heartbreakingly close to the podium with a fourth-place finish in Marseille.

For Jayet, adding an Olympic medal would complete an already impressive career. She finished 19th at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics and has steadily climbed the rankings since then.

After much thought, Jayet committed to another four-year Olympic cycle. Her calendar through July 2028 will be demanding, but she's confident her experience will help her manage the pressure this time around.

The three sailors aren't just training separately and hoping for the best. They're working together as part of the Swiss SailGP team, racing high-tech catamarans at speeds over 60 mph in short, intense competitions.

Schneiter, the helmsman from Geneva, sees the benefit clearly. "An Olympic medal used to be a dream; now it has become a goal," he says.

He and de Planta are competing in the 49er class, following the path of Spanish sailors Diego Botín and Florián Trittel, who won gold in that category in 2024. Their daily practice together through SailGP is fine-tuning the split-second timing and communication that Olympic sailing demands.

The Ripple Effect

Switzerland hasn't traditionally dominated Olympic sailing, but these three athletes are changing that narrative. Their commitment is inspiring younger Swiss sailors and showing that persistence pays off.

The entire Swiss SailGP crew, including grinder and fitness trainer Matt Gotrel, is supporting all three Olympic hopefuls. This collective approach turns individual dreams into a shared mission.

With four years to prepare and the advantage of training together on some of the fastest boats in the world, these sailors are positioning themselves perfectly. Los Angeles 2028 could be where Switzerland finally claims its place on the Olympic sailing podium.