From the Williams sisters to the Brownlee brothers, plenty of talented families have graced the Olympic Games.
And if there is one athlete who has seen success in the prestigious sporting event shared out across generations, it’s Brazilian sailor Martine Grael.
Martine Grael is gearing up for a career first over the next 12 months[/caption]
A two-time Olympic champion in sailing’s 49er FX category, Grael is the latest in a long line of sporting talent.
Dad Torben is a five-time Games medallist, which includes gold at Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000, while uncle Lars and brother Marco have both represented Brazil in a combined six Olympic campaigns.
But Grael’s latest achievement is one which will set her apart from her hugely talented family.
This weekend, the 33-year-old will become the first ever female driver in SailGP, the fast-paced f50 catamaran racing championship billed as sailing’s answer to Formula One.
What’s more, she will do so as part of the newly formed Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team, which is making its debut in the recently expanded 12-team competition.
Speaking to talkSPORT.com, Grael revealed that she jumped at the chance to star in the unprecedented feat, having first been made aware of the possibility by Brazil’s team CEO Alan Adler in June.
SailGP showcases a different side of sailing to the events seen on the Olympic stage, with the f50 boats appearing to almost fly across the water at speeds close to 60 miles-per-hour.
And with year-long event also boasting household names in the sport, including five-time Games medallist Sir Ben Ainslie, Grael admitted it is the ultimate competition for sailors.
She said: “Of course, as sailors, we follow all the big circuits in sailing. I’m very passionate about it.
“SailGP I think, is the coolest circuit racing wise, because the racing is very tactical and very engaging. I think it’s the best circuit that a sailor would want to be on.”
Grael added: “I didn’t have any doubt in doing it or not. When he [Alan Adler] talked about it, I was like: ‘Yeah, count me in!’”
And with the opportunity to make history on more than one front, the Brazilian admitted she feels in a privileged position as she prepares to take on a role which will see SailGP continue its efforts to drive diversity in the sport.
Since its inception in 2019, the competition has made gender equality a priority, with rules ensuring that men and women compete side-by-side by mandating a female athlete be part of each six-person boat crew in every race.
On being chosen as SailGP’s first female driver of a boat, Grael said: “I feel like I’m honoured to be here.
“There’s many very talented girls that are on the circuit that I’m pretty sure would love to be steering the F50 as well.
“And so having this opportunity, it’s incredible.”
Welcome to #SailGP @martinegrael and @mubadalabrasailgp
Martine takes advantage in her first practice racing at SailGP to lead the fleet to mark 1
pic.twitter.com/pBXaBHKgMf
— SailGP (@SailGP) November 22, 2024
With a homecoming to look forward to when SailGP makes its debut on Brazilian shores in May next year at the Rio Grand Prix, Grael will seek inspiration from her career’s finest hour – her first ever Olympic gold medal, won in her home city at the Rio 2016 Games.
The Rio native reflected on her triumph, which saw her claim top prize alongside Kahena Kunze in a thrilling finish to the event.
She recalled: “Coming to that last day of the Olympics with four people tied together, like all of my friends were on that beach you know!
“All of my friends, family, acquaintances, everything you can imagine. And what a final to have!”
Grael continued: “When we won the gold medal, it couldn’t have been more perfect.
“Winning the gold medal at home with all the crowd on the beach and just being able to celebrate with all your friends, it was just incredible.”
And while Grael followed this with a second consecutive gold with Kunze at the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics in 2021, she admitted that nothing in her sailing life has topped her home Games glory.
When asked if Rio 2016 was the pinnacle of her career, Grael’s response was immediate: “It’s hard to achieve anything better than winning the Olympics at home.”
Fans will be able to watch Martine Grael in action for the Mubadala Brazil SailGP in Season 5 of SailGP, which begins this weekend.