Meet Martine Grael, the very first female driver of a SailGP team

When it comes to sports in which men and women compete side by side, there are few. SailGP, considered the fastest water race in the world, is a sport that has seen a substantial increase in the number of female athletes. In the current Season 4, there are 42% more female athletes competing compared to Season 3.

The star of the league is undoubtedly Martine Grael, multiple Olympic gold medalist in sailing. In a SailGP first, the Brazilian national has been confirmed as the driver of the new Brazil SailGP team, strengthening the competition’s efforts to foster diversity in the sport.

“Having the league’s first-ever female driver demonstrates SailGP’s commitment to the Women’s Pathway, which aims to create an inclusive sporting championship centered on gender equality – where the best athletes have equal opportunities to compete on the F50 said a representative.

Grael grew up in a family of sailors and has accomplished various impressive feats on the water, including being the first Brazilian woman to compete in the Volvo Ocean Race and winning gold medals at two Olympic Games (2016 and 2020 ).

As she embraces her role as a pilot for Team Brazil SailGP, Grael discusses her biggest goals and aspirations and shattering the glass ceiling in competitive sailing.

Rachel Ingram: Congratulations on becoming the first ever female driver of a SailingGP team. How does it feel?

Martine Grael: THANKS. I think it is very important to build this team, not only for me, Brazil and Mubadala, but also for all the girls who aspire to have this chance.

Can you tell us a little about your background, from how you got into sailing to this incredible position?

GM: I started light sailing in a dinghy with my mother. Then, with my friends, I started competing and my mother helped us a lot by taking us to junior events. My father tried to keep his distance to avoid putting too much pressure on us. Over time, spending more time with my friends and strengthening my identity through sailing, I began to really enjoy competing.

After several years of competing in youth classes, I began to wonder what was next. At the same time, Brazilian women’s sailing won its first medal. The same year I started sailing in an Olympic class and Rio was selected to host the Olympics. It was just too special to not pursue, but I failed to qualify in the London cycle. This experience only fueled my desire to go to Rio and perform well.

After winning the Rio event, I joined the Ocean Race which was also a first for women with a compulsory place on the boat for female sailors. I never really stopped training, I came back at the Tokyo Olympics and managed to win a medal, which was quite difficult. I qualified for Marseille but unfortunately I didn’t have a very good event.

What do you think of the current diversity in competitive sailing?

GM: Like many sports, it is heavily dominated by men. The experience and opportunities needed to enter professional sailing are still largely limited for women. Despite a few stellar events that women have participated in without specific rules to boost their numbers, the norm remains a male-dominated environment in which women must stand out significantly to stand a chance. Boats are generally designed for an 80 kg man, so the usual professional sailing loads are suitable for men.

However, this league (SailGP) has shown that female drivers have the opportunity to compete on equal terms with men due to the design of the boat, even if some roles remain quite physical – I challenged them to avoid simple symbolic gestures of equality. It was time for something to shake up the “status quo”.

Beyond winning competitions, what are your aspirations for this role?

GM: I’m focused on achieving results and the rest will come naturally, but my aspirations go beyond the podium. I hope to inspire more girls and women to take on leadership roles in sailing and sport in general.

Why is it so important for you to compete with the new Brazil SailGP team?

GM: Competing with the new Mubadala Brazil SailGP team is a huge honor to represent my country, Brazil, on the international stage. Additionally, being part of a new team allows us to bring new ideas and strategies to the league, thus contributing to the evolution of the sport.

I’m happy to represent Brazil and we will definitely try to bring some of our atmosphere to the competition.

What are your hopes for the next sailing season with Brazil SailGP?

GM: I try to stay very down to earth. If we can keep the boat flying and avoid penalty points and season woes, it will be a very successful start to the first three events of the season, which we can hopefully build on.

Likewise, what are your ultimate goals in your own career?

GM: My career goals have always been to become a better sailor. This is a great opportunity to achieve this and continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in sailing. By bringing home victories for my team, I hope to inspire the next generation of sailors in Brazil and around the world, leaving a lasting legacy at SailGP.