Brazil SailGP Team (Mubadala)

Martine Grael drives the Brazil SailGP Team's F50 catamaran, making history as the first female driver in SailGP. Grael's credentials are extraordinary: two Olympic gold medals in the 49erFX (Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020), multiple world championship titles, and the distinction of being part of the most decorated sailing family in Brazilian history. Her father, Torben Grael, won five Olympic medals and a Volvo Ocean Race.

The significance of Grael's appointment extends beyond competitive sailing. SailGP has made gender equity a stated priority, and having a female driver competing head-to-head with male counterparts at the sport's highest level of speed and physicality is a statement that carries weight far beyond the racing community.

The Rio de Janeiro home event in April places Grael on the waters of Guanabara Bay, where she won her first Olympic gold in 2016. The emotional connection between the sailor, the venue, and the home crowd creates one of the most compelling narrative moments on the entire SailGP calendar.

Grael's transition from Olympic skiff sailing to the F50 requires adaptation. The 49erFX weighs 125 kilograms; the F50 weighs 2,400 kilograms and travels at three times the speed. But the fundamental instincts, reading pressure, anticipating shifts, maintaining speed through manoeuvres, transfer across platforms. Grael's competitive record suggests she will adapt faster than most.

The Mubadala sponsorship connects the Brazilian team to the Abu Dhabi investment fund, linking the South American campaign to the Gulf region events at the end of the season. For Brazilian fans, following Grael's progress through the SailGP season provides a year-long narrative arc that builds toward the Grand Final.