The path from professional windsurfing to Olympic sailing isn’t exactly well-worn. But SEVERNE team rider Mateus Isaac is charting new territory, having successfully made the leap from PWA competition to Olympic iQFOiL and now to the cutting-edge world of SailGP.
While Mateus was flat out between SailGP and iQFOiL training in Australia, we managed to pin him down for a proper chat about his wild ride from PWA star to Olympic athlete to F50 crew.
Photos by Matheus Torres / SailGP
EVOLUTION OF AN ATHLETE
When Mateus joined the SEVERNE team in 2021, he was already making waves on the PWA circuit. Fast forward through an Olympic campaign, and now he’s sending it as crew aboard the Mubadala Brazil SailGP boat at speeds approaching 90km/h.
Q: Looking back, how would you describe this journey?
“It’s been constant progression – from PWA to iQFOiL to SailGP. Each step opened new doors and presented new challenges to tackle. The transition into iQFOiL gave me more exposure to the broader sailing world, which eventually led to sailGP. Everything happened organically, but it took time and dedication.“
We’ve watched Mateus evolve from a focused PWA competitor into a multi-disciplined sailor. His adaptability mirrors the innovation we strive for in our own development.
THE SAILGP OPPORTUNITY
Q: How did the SailGP connection come about?
“It happened just before the Olympics in Marseille. Brazil announced their SailGP team, and I expressed interest during a physio session. Word got around, and Martin Grael [team driver] contacted me a week before the Games. Two days before leaving for Marseille, the team owner called about a trial in Bermuda. The trial went well, and here we are.“
LIFE AT 90KM/H. The speeds and forces involved in F50 sailing are next level, even for someone used to full-power slalom racing.
Q: How does SailGP compare to high-performance windsurfing?
“The F50 is a different beast entirely. Coming from PWA slalom foiling where we’re already pushing speeds, this is another world. We’re hitting 65-70km/h upwind, 80-85km/h downwind. The crashes are massive – like ten windsurfing catapults combined into one impact. On a windsurfer, you can feel when things are about to go wrong. On the F50, it just happens without warning.“
Mateus sure is blurring the lines between between windsurfing and professional sailing. The skills developed in high-performance windsurfing – quick reactions, understanding of foil dynamics, and comfort at speed – also translate to modern sailing.
ABOUT MUBADALA BRAZIL SAILGP TEAM
Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team is the first South American team to compete on the sailGP championship tour, and the first team with a female driver (Martine Grael).
Their bio page says: “Racing with state-of-the-art F50 catamarans, we combine Brazil’s passion for sports, innovation, and sustainability. Join us as we sail toward a greener, more inclusive future, both on and off the water!”
THE PWA-IQFOIL TRANSITION
Q: How different are PWA and iQFOiL racing?
“They’re completely different approaches. PWA is more entrepreneurial – you’re managing sponsor relationships, testing equipment, always looking for that performance edge. iQFOiL is more structured with coaches, detailed training programs, and finding gains within the one-design format. There’s less equipment variation, so you’re focusing on adapting to conditions with what you have. Both formats are challenging, just in different ways.“
Mateus at the PWA World Cup Sylt in 2024.
LOOKING AHEAD TO LA 2028
Despite his new SailGP commitments, Mateus remains committed to windsurfing and Olympic aspirations.
Q: What’s the plan moving forward?
“Windsurfing is my life – I’ll never stop. The goal is to continue with iQFOiL through to LA 2028 while balancing SailGP commitments. This first year will be an experiment combining both. So far, the training camps in Australia with both the SailGP and Olympic teams are going well.“
ADVICE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
Q: What guidance would you give young sailors choosing between PWA and iQFOiL?
“It really depends on your environment and community. I went PWA because everyone around me was doing slalom. If you’re at a club where everyone’s doing iQFOiL, that might be your path. The key is enjoying the process and progressing with your friends.“
Q: Thoughts on making windsurfing more visible globally?
“We could learn from the SailGP model – integrating media coverage with racing. There are elements we could adapt for PWA, even with different budgets. It’s about showcasing the sport’s excitement and athleticism.“
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