Grael to become first female SailGP driver

Brazilian sailor Martine Grael, who is a double Olympic gold medallist, is to become the first ever female SailGP driver.

Grael, who will lead Brazil's inaugural team, said she is "expecting she can put on a good show".

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

Grael said sailing has a "unique opportunity" to have a "one of a kind" mix of men and women in the sport.

"I think for the first time we're having girls in the right roles in the boat," she told BBC Sport.

"I've seen a lot of mixed teams and you feel like some roles are more adapted to women and others not so much, and you feel like maybe there should be a girl driving and see how it goes. So now will be the test."

Teams compete in 14 grands prix across the season in high-performance catamarans which race at speeds of up to 100kph (62mph).

Since they were allowed to compete in 2021, 37 women have raced in the league - including Britain's most successful female Olympic sailor Hannah Mills - but none have been given the role of driver until now.

A driver has command of the boat in a role similar to the skipper in other competitions.

The 2024-25 season gets under way in November in Dubai, with 11 national teams taking part in events across five continents.