#SailGPTeams: Mubadala Brazil
- Romy Kraus
- Jul 5
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 6
Martine Grael steers Brazil to its first SailGP race win in New York
Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team burst onto the global sailing stage in 2025 with a groundbreaking statement win in New York. Led by Martine Grael — a two-time Olympic champion and the first female helm in SailGP history — the team announced itself as a serious contender while advancing gender equity in the sport. With strong financial backing from Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company and management by Brazilian sports agency IMM, the squad combines Brazilian flair with serious competitive ambition.
Lowdown
The Team:
Martine Grael (Brazil) — Driver and helm, two-time Olympic champion and first female helm in SailGP.
Kahena Kunze (Brazil) — Strategist, Olympic gold medallist and longtime partner to Grael.
Gabriel Borges (Brazil) — Flight controller, experienced Olympic sailor.
Henry Boening (Brazil) — Wing trimmer, top Brazilian multihull sailor.
André Fonseca (Brazil) — Grinder, offshore and Olympic veteran.
Jason Saunders (New Zealand) — Grinder/strategist, poached from New Zealand SailGP Team.
Andy Maloney (New Zealand) — Grinder/flight controller, adds elite foiling expertise.
The Owners:
Funded and owned by Mubadala Investment Company, a major global investor from Abu Dhabi.
Operated locally by Brazilian sports agency IMM to ensure cultural connection and operational excellence.
Signals a long-term vision to make Brazil a consistent podium contender.
The Partners:
Strong alliances with Mubadala and regional sponsors drive tech innovation and sustainability efforts.
Marketing activations aim to build Brazil’s sailing fan base and attract younger audiences.
Sustainability projects, including large-scale ocean clean-ups, highlight the team’s dual focus on performance and impact.
Latest News:
Brazil’s historic race win in New York marked the first-ever victory for a female helm in SailGP.
The postponed Rio home event remains a major goal, with huge fan anticipation.
The team won SailGP’s Impact League segment for ocean waste removal, underlining their environmental leadership.
Brazil made headlines by poaching a key New Zealand team member, adding critical experience and tactical depth.
Strategic focus now shifts to consistency, reducing penalties, and climbing the overall leaderboard.
Key Facts:
“Female Driver, Global Headlines”
Martine Grael’s role as SailGP’s first female driver turned heads worldwide. Her leadership isn’t a symbolic gesture — she proved her mettle immediately by steering Brazil to victory in New York, showing that women can compete and win at the sport’s highest level.
“From Zero to Winner”
Brazil’s season trajectory flipped in New York. After earning their first championship point in Dubai and navigating penalties, they stunned the field with a decisive fleet race win in just their fifth event. The result demonstrated the team’s fast learning curve and potential.
“Learning, Adapting, Accelerating”
Grael summed up their journey best: “We’ve been ticking lots of boxes… our eyes are broadening… working the right way.” Brazil continues to evolve strategically and technically, turning early lessons into sharper performances each outing.
Looking Ahead
Though originally slated for May, Brazil’s home event in Rio was postponed, delaying a dream debut in front of local fans. However, expectations remain sky-high for a rescheduled race, where home support could push them to new heights. Meanwhile, the team’s commitment to sustainability — exemplified by winning SailGP’s Impact League segment for ocean waste removal — reinforces its identity as a force for change on and off the water.
Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team, under Grael’s historic helm, is not only pushing Brazilian sailing forward but also setting new standards for inclusion and innovation on the global stage.
