SailGP: "Unemployed" Martine Grael to sail against old team
by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/nz 17 Sep 23:22 PDT
Martine Grael, driver of Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team runs across the boat on Race Day 1 of the DP World Spain Sail Grand Prix © Ricardo Pinto for SailGP
In the revolving door of SailGP crew rosters, more changes have occurred since the exit on Saturday of Martine Grael, the foundation skipper of Mubadala Brazil.
On Thursday, Grael was announced as the stand-in skipper for the USA SailGP team's injured skipper, Taylor Canfield, and his designated replacement, Harry Melges IV, who is also on the injury list.
In another twist, Kahena Kunz (BRA), the top 49erFX crew, was named strategist for the Mubadala Brazil SailGP team. Kunz and Grael teamed up to win Gold Medals in the 49erFX class at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics.
Kunz will work alongside Grael's replacement, Paul Goodison, strategist for the Brazilian team since its inception, who was announced as skipper replacing Grael.
That announcement appears to put Nacra 17 Olympian Marina Arndt, the team's reserve strategist until Grael's exit, and announced as Goodison's replacement on Saturday, back on the Reserve Bench.
The various crew roster shuffles, combined with the draw for the two Qualifying Groups, will see Martine Grael (BRA/USA) helming against her old team.
In the other match-ups, Grand Final contenders the U.S. and Artemis will sail against Diego Botin’s Los Gallos, currently second overall. Also in Group A are Rockwool Racing (DEN), Germany, DS Automobiles (FRA) and Mubadala Brazil.
Group B will have six teams including the Bonds Flying Roos, Emirates GBR, Black Foils (NZL), Explora Journeys Swiss, Northstar Canada and Red Bull Italy.
Light airs are forecast.