The Rolex SailGP Championship is set to make its much-anticipated debut in Brazil’s iconic Guanabara Bay this weekend, April 11-12, through the Enel Rio Sail Grand Prix. This event is expected to draw over 8,000 spectators, who will witness thrilling high-speed sailing against the breathtaking backdrop of Sugarloaf Mountain. This race marks the fourth stop of the 2026 Season, honouring Brazil’s rich sailing history, notably featuring the local Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team led by two-time Olympic champion Martine Grael, who is also SailGP’s first female driver.
The upcoming races represent a landmark event for the team as they compete on home waters for the first time, introducing a mix of world-class athleticism and celebratory energy in the heart of Brazil. Martine Grael and her brother Marco, both from a famed sailing lineage, will have the roar of their home crowd as they race alongside elite international teams, battling for not just the title but part of a season prize purse of $12.8 million.
Additionally, the event will see the competitive reunion of Grael and her former Olympic partner Kahena Kunze, now on opposing F50 teams. This reunion adds an emotional layer to the racing narrative, promising intense rivalry and high stakes racing across the event weekend.
The United States SailGP Team arrives in Rio buoyed by their recent win in Sydney, where they captured their first event victory under driver Taylor Canfield. Eager to repeat their success, the American team aims to leverage their renewed confidence to dominate in Rio.
After recovering from a dramatic incident in Auckland, DS Automobiles Team France is also set to rejoin the competition in Brazil, looking to regain their status among championship contenders.
With the 2026 season already showcasing three different victors from the first three events, including Emirates Great Britain and BONDS Flying Roos from Australia, the competition is heating up. Emirates Great Britain currently leads with 28 points, closely followed by BONDS Flying Roos at 25 points, while the U.S. and France are tied at 20 points. The dynamics of the leaderboard may shift dramatically throughout the Rio event as teams vie for every point.
Viewers can follow all the thrilling action from the Enel Rio Sail Grand Prix, available across numerous broadcasting platforms worldwide, including coverage in Brazil on Globo and Band, and in Australasia via Fox Sports and SBS in Australia, as well as on CBS Sports Network in the USA.
For more details, updates on racing schedules, or to get tickets, visit SailGP.com/Rio.
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