Two-time Olympic gold medalist Martine Grael is set to make history as the first woman to helm an F50 foiling catamaran in SailGP, as a new Brazilian team joins the global league in its fifth season. The announcement was made during a news conference in Rio de Janeiro, where a regatta is scheduled to take place on Guanabara Bay on May 3-4, with the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain in the backdrop.
Grael expressed her honor at being the first woman to take on this role, stating that she sees it as a challenge not just for herself as a female athlete but as a competitor in an established circuit. SailGP, founded by Larry Ellison and Russell Coutts, features some of the world's top sailors, including America's Cup champions and Olympic medalists. The upcoming season will see 11 teams competing in 14 regattas.
Grael comes from a sailing family, with her father Torben being a decorated sailor himself. She and her crewmate Kahena Kunze clinched the 49erFX gold medal in the 2016 Olympics in Rio, repeating their success in Tokyo and finishing eighth in Paris last month. Grael's transition from the 49erFX to the F50s is seen as a significant step, and she emphasized the importance of attitude and teamwork in this new endeavor.
SailGP initiated a Women’s Pathway Program in 2021, ensuring female representation in every race. Grael's selection was praised by Coutts, who highlighted her talent and past achievements. With the right crew, Coutts believes the Brazilian team led by Grael has the potential to excel in the competition, which could inspire young female sailors worldwide.
Despite the dominance of seasoned sailors like Tom Slingsby, Peter Burling, and Giles Scott in previous SailGP seasons, Grael's entry into the league is seen as a positive development for women's sailing. Her participation in the preseason training camp in Bermuda and the upcoming season opener in Dubai signifies her commitment to this new challenge.
