Boating New Zealand Boat Reviews
Reviews
Boating New Zealand News
News
Boating New Zealand Sports
Sport
Boating New Zealand Lifestyle
Lifestyle
BOAT-REVIEWS-MOBILE
Boat Reviews
BOAT-NEWS-MOBILE
News
BOAT-SPORTS-MOBILE
Sports
BOAT-LIFESTYLE-MOBILE
Lifestyle
SailGP logo
HomeSailGPSailGP: New York 2025'No excuses now' as Martine Grael and Brazil claim groundbreaking first SailGP win

‘No excuses now’ as Martine Grael and Brazil claim groundbreaking first SailGP win

In a moment that will be etched in SailGP history, Mubadala Brazil clinched its first ever race win during the fourth fleet race of the New York Sail Grand Prix. But this was more than a victory for a new team—it was a groundbreaking moment for the sport itself. At the helm was Martine Grael, Olympic gold medallist and the first woman ever to drive an F50 foiling catamaran in SailGP. Her achievement not only marked a significant milestone for Brazil, but also the first time a female-led boat has won a SailGP race.

Bookmark post
Bookmarked
Bookmark post
Bookmarked

The race, which opened Day Two in New York, saw Brazil edge past event favourites Spain in challenging, shifty conditions. That alone was a triumph for a team still finding its rhythm in the global league, but the symbolism of the win stretched far beyond the finish line.

Historic win for Brazil in Race 4 of New York SailGP Are they now the hot favourites in SailGP. // Photo credit: SailGP media

Grael, a two-time Olympic champion, has been steadily carving a path as the first female driver in the high-octane world of SailGP—a role long considered too strategically and physically demanding for women by many within the sport. But with this win, Grael and her crew have delivered a definitive answer to any lingering scepticism.

“This week was very good for the performance of our team,” said Grael following the event. “We’re getting more corner vision now and seeing more on the racecourse—it’s not just about handling the boat anymore.” The victory, she added, came down to sharp strategy in “erratic” conditions, where tactical awareness opened up crucial passing opportunities.

Brazil’s campaign in New York followed a string of results that placed the team toward the back of the pack—10th after Dubai, 9th in Auckland, and 11th in Los Angeles. A second-place finish in Fleet Race 2 on Day One hinted at their growing cohesion, and by the end of the sixth race, they sat fourth overall—agonisingly short of a Final berth but miles ahead in morale.

“On the last bottom gate rounding, we knew Spain was our guy to beat, and they were just a little ahead,” Grael admitted.

Spain would go on to win the Final, but Brazil’s showing was enough to make the rest of the fleet sit up and take notice.

The historic nature of the moment was not lost on observers. Olympic silver medallist and SailGP correspondent Lisa Darmanin called it “a massive moment for women in sailing,” adding,

“There’s no excuse now. We’ve seen it happen—women can lead, and they can win.”

- Advertisement -

Since SailGP mandated the inclusion of female crew members in 2021, women have primarily filled strategist roles—important, but often seen as advisory rather than decisive. Brazil changed that dynamic from the outset of the 2024–2025 season by naming Grael as their driver—the tactical and emotional heart of the team. That choice now looks visionary.

Martine Grael, driver of Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team, tries out the role of wing trimmer as she works with Anne-Marie Rindom, strategist of ROCKWOOL Denmark SailGP Team, onboard Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team F50 catamaran during the SailGP Womens Performance Camp Delivered by DP World in Dubai, UAE. Tuesday 26 November 2024. Photo: Simon Bruty for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

This isn’t the first boundary Grael has pushed. Earlier in the season, she made headlines not just for her helm position, but also for her advocacy off the water. At a SailGP event in Auckland, she joined discussions around gender equity and athlete support systems, including during parenthood. Her framing of so-called “challenges” as unique strengths added depth to her growing reputation as a transformative figure in the sport.

Grael’s leadership doesn’t just represent one woman’s ascent; it’s a spotlight on what can be achieved when teams are willing to invest in capability over tradition. The Brazil team’s decision to centre their campaign around Grael has already delivered dividends—and not just in terms of points on the board.

(L-R) Anna Barth, strategist of Germany SailGP Team, Giulia Fava, strategist of Red Bull Italy SailGP Team, Hannah Mills, strategist of Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, Liv Mackay, strategist of New Zealand SailGP Team, Anna Weis, grinder and jib trimmer of USA SailGP Team, Maud Jayet, strategist of Switzerland SailGP Team, Martine Grael, driver of Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team, Natasha Bryant, strategist of Australia SailGP Team, Anne-Marie Rindom, strategist of ROCKWOOL Denmark SailGP Team, Nicole van der Velden, strategist of Spain SailGP Team, Annie Haegar, strategist of Canada NorthStar SailGP Team and Manon Audinet, strategist of France SailGP Team take a selfie in front of the city skyline ahead of The Rolex SailGP 2025 Championship ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Auckland, New Zealand. Thursday 16 January 2025. Photo credit: Ricardo Pinto for SailGP.

As the league heads into the European leg of the season, Brazil sits 10th overall in the Championship standings; but will their New York upward trajectory and increased racecourse awareness suggest they are far from done.

For Brazil, the win is a long-overdue payoff for their persistence. For SailGP, it’s a landmark. And for women in elite sailing, it’s a turning tide.

SHARE:

Related Articles

Comments

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand. Subscribe to view comments and join the conversation. Choose your plan →

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Kirsten Thomas
Kirsten Thomas
Kirsten enjoys sailing and is a passionate writer based in coastal New Zealand. Combining her two passions, she crafts vivid narratives and insightful articles about sailing adventures, sharing her experiences and knowledge with fellow enthusiasts.

More from Boating New Zealand

Engineering the future of boat...

From July 1–5, 2025, the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (MEBC) returns to the...
Electric & Hybrid BoatsHydrogen & Alternative FuelsSolar & Wind-Powered Boats

Crushed sails, close battles: ...

In the last 14 hours, the New Caledonia Groupama Race has entered its final...
Incidents at SeaNew Caledonia Grouprama

Lagoon Days 2025: A deep dive ...

For anyone with an eye on the horizon and dreams of sailing beyond it, Lago...
Boating Days

The night that changed everyth...

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race has long been a proving ground for offshore...
Race and Regatta Safety MeasuresRolex Sydney to Hobart Race

Alan Mummery: The quiet genius...

From a modest Waiheke Island workshop to bluewater classics around the worl...
Profiles on Key Figures

Racing, rescues and rivalries:...

The 2025 edition of the New Caledonia Groupama Race has lived up to its off...
New Caledonia Grouprama

Marine industry growth means new offices at Cracker Bay: Work, play, and look out over the Waitematā

Tucked right on the edge of Auckland’s Westhaven Marina, a newly refurbished and reimagined office building is now ready to welcome a select few more tenants.

Coltri Compressors

Italian design. Italian manufactured. With over 60 years experience of manufacturing high quality, high pressure breathing air systems to meet the demands of marine, diving and industrial application...

Pacific Rim Marine Surveys Ltd

Being both a boat builder and sailor gives Marine Surveyor James Newcombe a distinct advantage when it comes to understanding what to look for when conducting Pre Purchase Inspections, Surveys and Pr...

LATEST NEWS

2005 Ganley Solution 43

The Ganley “Solution” can sail anywhere on our oceans. It has low mileage 72 HP Nissan diesel with 3:1 Borg Warner gear box French oller furler with lots of sails, anchors and batteries plus solar panel, GPS, and depth sounder.

2005 Haines Signature 600RF

Well-kept, garage-stored family boat with low hours, new carpets, and full gear. Soft-riding foam-filled hull, ideal for fishing or cruising. Regretful sale—owner upgrading. Located in Pauanui with minimal trailer use. Ready for its next adventure—don’t miss out!

Win a Yamaha Re-power with the new #ImRePoweringWithYamaha Competition

After a successful inaugural competition in 2022, Yamaha are doing it again, with the #ImRePoweringWithYamaha competition for 2025. In 2022, Yamaha ran a social media-based competition, to give one...