SailGP twist: Martine Grael leaves Brazil and takes the wheel of the United States team in Geneva

Brazil's greatest sailor changes boats

SailGP, the world championship of F50 foiling catamarans, reaches Lake Geneva, in Switzerland, this weekend, 19 and 20 September, with a twist that directly involves Brazil. Martine Grael, double Olympic champion and one of the greatest sailors in the country's history, has left the Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team and will take the wheel of the U.S. SailGP Team at the 11th of the 13 events of the 2026 Season.

The switch came unexpectedly. Grael made a shock exit from the Brazilian team earlier this week, and was soon called up by the Americans to replace driver Taylor Canfield, ruled out after breaking his collarbone in a bike accident. The United States arrive in Geneva in third place, inside the podium zone, and want to defend the position in the closing stretch of the championship.

Two women in the same crew, a SailGP milestone

Grael's debut with the American team creates a historic moment: for the first time, two women will compete side by side in the same SailGP team. She takes the wheel alongside American grinder Anna Weis.

"Anna is one of those great athletes and a great friend as well, and it's really incredible to work together," Grael said. "She is one of these people you admire for their work ethic and how strong they are in their pursuit for greatness. It's really inspiring to sail beside Anna, and it is going to be fun."

On the challenge of joining a new boat at short notice, the Brazilian reflected: "When you get to a new team, you need to understand how they work. That's the most important part. They've obviously been doing a very good job, and I want to adapt to how they're sailing and get the best out of them." In her favour, the short time off the water: "It's only been a week and a half since I last sailed, so I'm still warmed up from the other events."

Mubadala Brazil bets on a new era

On the other side, the Brazilian team reinvents itself. With Grael's departure, Mubadala Brazil will be helmed by Paul Goodison, who had joined the team as strategist. Also coming on board is Kahena Kunze, double Olympic champion in the 49er FX class, on loan from ROCKWOOL Denmark, forming what Goodison calls a fresh start.

"I think we're in a new era," Goodison said. "We need to look forward to how we can start improving. We're at the back of the fleet at the moment, we don't have many points, and we've got to look forward at how we start getting points on the board. What do we need to change? We keep trusting in our process, keep working forward, and hopefully the results will come."

What is at stake in Geneva

Geneva is the circuit's only freshwater venue, known for the changeable winds that blow off the slopes and shift constantly. Swiss sailor Sébastien Schneiter, of the Explora Journeys Swiss SailGP Team, is banking on home advantage to chase his first win in front of the crowd. Around 10,000 people are expected across the two days of racing, which begin this Saturday, 19, at 3:30 p.m. local time.

With three events left, only Australia, Tom Slingsby's Bonds Flying Roos, is confirmed for the Grand Final in Abu Dhabi in November, worth US$ 2 million in a winner-takes-all race. All but two of the other teams are still mathematically in contention for the decider, promising an electrifying end to the season. Brazil races in Group A.

Details

SailGP, Geneva event (Switzerland)
19 and 20 September 2026, on Lake Geneva
11th of the 13 events of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship season
Live broadcast and information at SailGP.com/Watch