“It wasn’t an easy decision,” Andy Maloney says, reflecting on the shift from Emirates Team New Zealand to the Brazil SailGP Team. For years, he was part of a tight, highly successful Kiwi unit — a team that felt more like family than colleagues. Moving on from that, stepping into a new environment with an entirely different dynamic, was a significant transition, both professionally and personally.
“You spend years building relationships, finding your rhythm with a group like ETNZ. There’s a lot of trust there — not just in how you race, but in how you operate off the water too. So yeah, leaving that behind wasn’t straightforward.”
The emotional weight of that decision lingers. Maloney is candid about how tough it is to walk away from people who are not only teammates but also mentors and close friends. Still, there’s no sense of regret — just recognition of the complexity involved in making a change at this level of the sport.
Joining the Brazilian team has been, as he puts it, “a massive change — but also a really exciting project.” The team is new to the SailGP circuit and still developing its systems, routines, and cohesion. For someone with Maloney’s background, that’s an opportunity as much as it is a challenge.
“There’s a lot of low-hanging fruit. “Things like sharpening up our starts, getting cleaner manoeuvres, just tightening how we react to the race as it evolves. You can make a big difference fast if you know where to look.”
But this role isn’t just about technical input. As flight controller, Maloney is responsible for a key performance area — keeping the boat foiling smoothly at high speeds. That alone is demanding. But on top of that, he’s found himself stepping into a leadership role, helping lift the overall standard of the team.
“I’ve caught myself a few times drifting too far into a coaching mindset during racing,” he admits. “That’s something I’ve had to manage. You want to bring the team up, but you’ve also got to nail your own job. On these boats, there’s no room for split focus.”
One particularly tough moment came at the Auckland event. New foils were introduced, and the conditions were breezy — a difficult combination that put the crew under pressure. Maloney says it tested everyone on board.
“It wasn’t easy, but we got through it. And honestly, that weekend was a turning point. It forced us to adapt, to stay composed, and to learn under pressure.”
By Sydney, the signs of improvement were more obvious. The team had made progress — not perfect, but noticeable.
“We’d targeted a few key areas after Auckland, and you could see the difference. That said, we still made mistakes — the kind that frustrate you because you know they’re avoidable. But that’s part of the process. You’ve got to take those on the chin and keep moving forward.”
Maloney’s approach is clearly methodical. He’s reflective, but he’s also confident. That balance is summed up in a simple line: “I like to back myself.” It’s not bravado. It’s belief — the kind you need when racing at the top level of a sport defined by high speeds and tight margins.
This part of the SailGP journey is about growth — for both Maloney and the Brazil team. His experience offers structure and direction, while the younger team around him brings energy and a willingness to push. Together, that combination could produce something unexpected.
“There’s still a long way to go, but we’re learning quickly. And that’s what gives me confidence.”
As the season unfolds, Brazil may be a team to watch — not because they’ve already arrived, but because they’re building something that could soon demand attention.
