Grael to become first female SailGP driver

Brazilian sailor Martine Grael, who is simply a double Olympic golden medallist, is to go nan first ever female SailGP driver.

Grael, who will lead Brazil's inaugural team, said she is "expecting she tin put connected a bully show".

SailGP launched successful 2019 and involves mixed-gender teams racing each different successful identical 50ft catamarans.

Grael said sailing has a "unique opportunity" to person a "one of a kind" operation of men and women successful nan sport.

"I deliberation for nan first clip we're having girls successful nan correct roles successful nan boat," she told BBC Sport.

"I've seen a batch of mixed teams and you consciousness for illustration immoderate roles are much adapted to women and others not truthful much, and you consciousness for illustration possibly location should beryllium a woman driving and spot really it goes. So now will beryllium nan test."

Teams compete successful 14 grands prix crossed nan play successful high-performance catamarans which title astatine speeds of up to 100kph (62mph).

Since they were allowed to compete successful 2021, 37 women person raced successful nan convention - including Britain's astir successful female Olympic sailor Hannah Mills - but nary person been fixed nan domiciled of driver until now.

A driver has bid of nan vessel successful a domiciled akin to nan skipper successful different competitions.

The 2024-25 play gets nether measurement successful November successful Dubai, pinch 11 nationalist teams taking portion successful events crossed 5 continents.