SailGP: SailGP makes its South American debut this weekend in Brazil’s iconic city, Rio de Janeiro

Set against the spectacular backdrop of Sugarloaf Mountain, the global league arrives in Rio de Janeiro for the fourth stop of the 2026 Season, with more than 8,000 spectators expected to line the shore., The most exciting racing on water will celebrate Brazil’s prestigious sailing heritage – a nation of Olympic legends – by transforming the bay into a high-speed arena for action-packed, adrenaline-fueled racing.

The stakes have never been higher as elite international teams battle for personal glory and a record-breaking $12.8 million prize purse over the course of the season. Local fans will witness a landmark moment in sporting history as the Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team competes on home waters for the first time, led by two-time Olympic champion Martine Grael – SailGP’s first female driver. Supported by Enel, the event is set to be a transformative moment for the city, blending elite athleticism with a festival-style celebration in the heart of Brazil.

For the first time in the championship’s history, the Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team will feel the roar of a home crowd as they take to the waters of Rio.

The spotlight on driver Martine Grael has never been brighter, carrying immense personal significance for her and her brother and teammate, Marco Grael. The siblings, who honed their world-class skills in these very waters, represent one of Brazil’s most legendary sailing dynasties as the children of Olympic icon Torben Grael.

With family, friends, and thousands of passionate fans lining the shoreline, the event marks a powerful full-circle moment for the Graels – a homecoming that transcends sport.

In a narrative move fit for the silver screen, Rio will witness the reunion of one of sailing’s greatest partnerships, but with a competitive twist. Mubadala Brazil’s Martine Grael and ROCKWOOL Racing strategist Kahena Kunze return to the site of their shared glory, a decade after claiming Olympic gold at the Rio 2016 Games.

Known for their tactical brilliance as teammates, the two icons will now face off as rivals on separate F50s. For hometown fans, seeing these two legends navigate the bay against one another adds a layer of nostalgia and the potential for high-stakes drama to be on display across the weekend of racing.

Racing gets underway at 3 pm local time on Saturday, April 11, and Sunday, April 12. For the latest news, tickets, updates and broadcast information ahead of the Enel Rio Sail Grand Prix, visit SailGP.com/Rio.

Text and images courtesy of SailGP.com