SailGP: Martine wants to know - the first helmswoman to compete for Brazil in the SailGP

Martine Grael comes from one of the most famous families in international sailing. The 33-year-old two-time Olympic champion in the 49erFX and Ocean Race circumnavigator is not only recognised as a very talented sailor and helmswoman. She is also a strong and fearless personality - qualities that have helped her on the Olympic sporting stage and in the Ocean Race in all the world's oceans and that are also in demand in the Formula 1 of sailing racing. The top athlete from Rio de Janeiro is now the helmswoman and face of the new Brazilian team for the SailGP racing series.

There couldn't be a better start for our team." Martine Grael

From season five, Martine Grael will steer the Brazilian team's F50 catamaran in its inaugural season. The daughter of five-time Olympic medallist, double Olympic champion and Ocean Race winner Torben Grael grew up with sporting challenges like others with apple sauce and baby porridge. Martine's brother Marco Grael is also an Olympic 49er racer. Uncle Lars Grael has won two Olympic bronze medals in the Tornado. The double gold medallist Martine is looking forward to the brilliant Brazilian SailGP race with her team.

Martine Grael said: "We are opening a new chapter in racing that brings together the best athletes in the world. At the same time, Rio de Janeiro will become the SailGP stage for the first time in the new season. There couldn't be a better start for our team."

SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts is delighted with the female coup for the racing series and the introduction of the exceptional sailor at the SailGP premiere in Rio. Coutts' conviction: "Martine has incredible talent and has shown that she can handle the sport at the highest level." Martine Grael will gain her first experience at the helm of an F50 foiler at a training camp in Bermuda in September. The Germany SailGP team with helmsman Erik Heil will also be training there. The other members of the Brazilian SailGP team will be announced shortly.

Brazil also a good place for Team Germany?

In the past four seasons of the racing league, 37 women have already taken on various positions on the F50 catamarans in their teams. Anna Barth, Sophie Steinlein and Kahena Kunze took on the role of strategist for the German team in the inaugural season that has just ended. Kahena Kunze was the first German SailGP strategist and experienced the German entry into the SailGP with all its ups, downs and challenges. Her 49erFX helmswoman Martine Grael can now also draw on this experience.

The fifth SailGP season starts in November with 14 events worldwide. These include a new German SailGP stage, which has yet to be unveiled, as well as the newly announced event in Rio de Janeiro: the Enel Rio Sail Grand Prix will take place on 3 and 4 May 2025 in Guanabara Bay. Perhaps this is a good omen for Team Germany? Olympic fans will remember that Erik Heil and Thomas Plößel won their first of two Olympic bronze medals in Guanabara Bay in 2016. Their somersault from the skiff into the Brazilian waters will never be forgotten.

Sir Russel Coutts has high hopes for the SailGP-Brazil double-header. He said: "Brazil has a very dedicated sailing fan base and the SailGP will redefine the image of sailing in the country and attract a new audience. The people of Rio will bring their special Brazilian flavour to the event, support the Mubadala Brazil SailGP team and enjoy the adrenaline-fuelled atmosphere that our events are known for."

SailGP summit between Sugar Loaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer statue

Rio de Janeiro's mayor Eduardo Paes said: "The staging of the first SailGP races in South America clearly demonstrates Rio's popularity as a venue for major events. This applies not only to sport, but also to music and culture. Rio 2024 is also the capital of the G20, where the heads of state of the world's largest economies will meet in November. The city has regained its leading role on the world stage and Guanabara Bay could not be a better setting for the SailGP. We will welcome the athletes and the fans with open arms."

Click here to go to the SailGP homepage with an overview of the regattas planned for the fifth season.

Martine Grael in close-up. The interview with Niall Myant-Best is already four years old, but one that presents Martine Grael as a person and sailor better than many others: