The Rolex SailGP Championship makes its South American debut in Rio this April, featuring high-speed F50 catamarans racing in Brazil for the 2026 season.
The Rolex SailGP Championship makes its South American debut from 11–12 April, hosting the fourth race of the 2026 Season and bringing high-speed racing to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Taking place on Guanabara Bay, the event will see the sport’s most accomplished athletes compete on identical foiling F50 catamarans at the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain against the backdrop of the renowned Christ the Redeemer statue. The championship embodies a purpose-driven philosophy alongside the on-water action, and since the league’s inaugural season in 2019, Rolex has supported its mission to drive innovation, diversity and sustainability. As Title Partner, the Swiss watchmaker is deeply committed to the future of the sport and its journey to inspiring new generations of fans and athletes globally.
Held in 13 of the world’s most iconic locations, the Rolex SailGP Championship sees 13 nation teams compete close to the shore in short thrilling races. The 2026 Season started in Australasia with events in Perth, Auckland and Sydney, before travelling to Rio de Janeiro. With three different winners in the opening three events, the standings are finely poised as the teams arrive in Brazil, where Rolex Testimonee Martine Grael is set to compete on home waters. The Brazilian made headlines last season becoming the first female driver in the league, leading the Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team. Grael says: “It’s going to be a great weekend. Rio is such a beautiful setting – the coastline and weather are perfect for sailing. More than anything, I can’t wait to race in front of a home crowd. The energy and excitement of the local people means a lot to me and the team. I’m certain the event will do a lot to inspire Brazilians to get out on the water and experience the sport for themselves.”
Grael and the team took memorable race victories in New York, USA and Cadiz, Spain in 2025, in what was a promising rookie season for the Brazilian outfit, as they mastered the technologies and continued to develop and refine their skills. Grael reflects on her first season: “Going around the racecourse and feeling the team building trust and growing together, that’s what stands out. The learning curve is so steep [in SailGP], so our mindset has always been about sailing better today than we did yesterday. For us, the biggest focus has been to make sure we learn as a team. Whenever we’ve taken a step back, we’ve done it with huge learning.”
The Brazilian’s return to Rio de Janeiro not only marks a homecoming to the waters where she began her sailing journey alongside her brother-turned-teammate, Marco Grael, but also to the bay on which she claimed her gold medal in 2016. While Rio’s breathtaking surroundings set the stage for an exceptional weekend of racing, the racecourse itself presents a formidable test due to its complex wind patterns, tight boundaries and shifting currents influenced by the mountainous terrain. For Grael, who honed her skill and competitive spirit in this unique maritime environment, and fellow Rolex Testimonee Hannah Mills who also won gold in Rio in 2016, the race is likely to present a familiar test. Discussing her return to Rio, Mills says: “I’m very excited to get back to Rio, the racecourse there is challenging, we call it an opportunity racecourse. I can guarantee it will be a dramatic event.”
Navigating every turn in the championship demands exceptional adaptability and precision timing from the teams, with those who best harness the conditions and technology often achieving victory. Discussing her approach and relationship with Rolex, Grael says: “Rolex’s quest for excellence aligns perfectly with my outlook. Growing up, I was taught that if I put my mind to something, I should give it everything – 100 per cent. The importance of honesty and fairness was also instilled in me from an early age, qualities I see reflected in Rolex’s involvement with sailing. For me, excellence isn’t just about results; it’s about knowing that I’ve given my absolute best every time I step out on the water.”
