A Celebrated Career in New Zealand Sailing
Born and raised in New Zealand, Maloney has long been a familiar face on the global sailing circuit. Known for his technical prowess and determination, Maloney has a long list of career accolades, including his America’s Cup wins with Emirates Team New Zealand in 2017 and 2021, a gold medal at the 2019 Finn Gold Cup, and a bronze at the 2012 Laser World Championships. His sailing roots trace back to the Murrays Bay Sailing Club, where he honed his skills in the Laser class.
Beyond team achievements, Maloney has been a standout in Olympic-class sailing. Despite narrowly missing out on representing New Zealand in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, he has remained a key player for the nation, working alongside elite sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke on New Zealand’s SailGP team, known as the Black Foils.
Why Brazil? Maloney’s Surprising Move
Maloney’s transition from New Zealand to Brazil started as a series of casual conversations with Brazil’s SailGP CEO, Alan Adler. With Brazil preparing for its debut season and aiming to make a strong impression as the first South American team on the circuit, Adler reached out to Maloney for his expertise. Over time, the idea gained traction, and Brazil’s inclusion of Martine Grael—a double Olympic gold medallist—as the league’s first female driver was an added draw.
“The project is naturally a very exciting one,” Maloney explains. “It’s the first South American team and the first team to have a female driver. The more we talked, the more the opportunity became a real thing for me to consider.”
Maloney’s decision to make the jump was not easy. “Leaving New Zealand’s SailGP team was tough; we’re a tight-knit group of mates who’ve shared countless hours on and off the water,” he says. Burling, Tuke, and the rest of the Kiwi team offered their support despite the team’s efforts to keep him. “They understood, which made the decision a little easier.”
Brazil SailGP’s Fresh Line-Up
Maloney joins a well-rounded crew with diverse experience. Leading the charge is Martine Grael as driver, joined by seasoned SailGP figures like former INEOS Britannia pilot and trimmer Leigh McMillan, Danish SailGP grinder Richard Mason, and Brazilian sailors Mateus Isaac and Marco Grael as grinders. With a blend of national talent and seasoned pros, the team is set on making their mark.
“Working with a fresh group of talented athletes is exciting,” Maloney says. “It’s a chance to learn from them and share what I know.”
Eyes on the Horizon: Season 4 and Beyond
While the team is realistic about their initial expectations, Maloney is optimistic. The addition of cutting-edge T-Foils to the boats and a more competitive field mean there’s a real opportunity to disrupt the fleet. “With such limited time to train, we’ll be focusing on getting the basics right—boat handling, starting, and speed. Alan [Adler] has assembled a team with both experience and local pride, which gives us a good chance to compete effectively.”
And while the Brazil SailGP team embarks on their first season, Maloney acknowledges the challenges of adapting to a new team dynamic. “I’m looking forward to putting down roots with this crew and getting into the race rhythm,” he shares. “The potential here is enormous, but we need to gel as a team to see the results we’re hoping for.”
For Maloney, his new chapter with Brazil is bittersweet. “Flying the Kiwi flag has been a huge honour, and I want to thank everyone back home who has supported me. My time with the Black Foils has been amazing, and while it’ll be strange to face them on the water, I know we’ll all be focused on our own tasks once racing begins.”
With Maloney’s experience on board, Brazil has a solid foundation to build on as they take to the water for their first SailGP season. As he steps into this new role, Andy Maloney is not only representing the spirit of Brazil’s team but also carrying forward the skill and pride of New Zealand sailing.
