Star Sailors League, Oman and the Philippines to Rio

Double points. National pride. And golden tickets on the line. The final day of the SSL Gold Cup Asian Qualifiers delivered high drama across both groups as teams raced nation against nation for a place in the SSL Gold Cup Final in Rio.

The final day of racing in the qualifiers for the Second Football World Cup in sailing unfolded with high emotion. Double-points day raised the stakes across the fleet. Calm precision met raw pressure, with dramatic momentum shifts throughout the racing. Every start mattered and every manoeuvre counted. On the waters outside Ocean Marina Jomtien, the road to Rio was clear for some and heartbreakingly close for others.

Lions of the Sea Roar to Rio

Group B delivered equal amounts of quiet control and loud on-board emotion on this final day, with SSL Team Oman, Lions of the Sea, sailing with calm authority. In Race 5, Oman nailed the start and controlled the fleet in a light northwesterly breeze. Clean manoeuvres, sharp communication, and early preparation at every mark kept them clear of trouble. Kazakhstan followed with their strongest race of the series, while SSL Team UAE, The Falcons, battled spinnaker issues downwind with loud emotions onboard.

Nasser Al Mashari, skipper of SSL Team Oman explained the disciplined communication style onboard that helped maintain calm under pressure. “Before each race, we agree that communication is limited to three or four people unless something critical happens. Keeping the boat quiet helps performance. When the boat stays calm, decisions are clearer, and we sail smarter.”

Race 6 turned into a direct fight for second between SSL Team Kazakhstan – Nomad Force and UAE. Tight mark roundings, protests, and gusty shifts tested every crew. Oman stayed composed, sailing conservatively at the front. Clean hoists and early drops sealed another win and confirmed qualification for the SSL Gold Cup Final in Rio.

Behind them, Kazakhstan continued their rise, while UAE recovered to finish second in the final race. Cheering, flags, and celebration followed for Oman. Six races, six wins. A proud moment for the country.

Philippines Roller-Coaster Ride to Get the Golden Ticket

Group A delivered high drama to the final metre. SSL Team Philippines – Centennial Sailing Team started the day on top, with SSL Team Myanmar – Inya close behind.

In Race 5, Myanmar faltered at the start and paid a heavy price. The Philippines launched cleanly, led from the front, and ripped the big waves with confidence. SSL Team South Korea – Red Fury pushed hard to stay in touch, while SSL Team Vietnam – Golden Stars gained valuable experience in tough conditions. The Philippines secured a commanding win.

Alaiza Mae Belmonte Hernandez, trimmer onboard SSL Team Philippines credited the team’s success to strong crew coordination, trust, and faith. “Everything comes down to teamwork and communication on board. Above all, we put our trust in the Lord. We give everything to Him, and we believe He has a bigger plan for all of us. We are very thankful to have secured the ticket to Rio.”

Race 6 turned everything upside down. The Philippines were over early, got stuck just after the starting line, and were forced to restart at the back. Myanmar seized the lead and pressure peaked within minutes. The fleet compressed, but the Philippines clawed back with pure boat speed. Mark roundings were tight. Penalties flew. Then – a loose sheet caused a near crew overboard moment, but fast reactions kept the Philippines racing. 

Reflecting on the dramatic start and the near crew-overboard moment in the final race, Belmonte Hernandez described an intense but focused response from the team. “When the incident happened, our hearts were racing, but we kept reminding each other to stay focused. We told ourselves to move on from the early start and the near man-overboard situation and concentrate on the race. One of the crew was very close to falling, with just one foot holding on. We were lucky. The jib overrode, and although there was some damage and minor injury, no one went overboard. We stayed calm, recovered quickly, and got back into the race.”

The Philippines regrouped, rounded first, and powered downwind to seal the race. Four wins from six races with a hairy final race. A standout Group A winner-takes-it-all fight and the second Golden Ticket goes to the Philippines.

Day 3 delivered speed, high stakes, and rivalry at the highest level. Cheers echoed across Ocean Marina Jomtien as the qualifiers reached their conclusion. Now, intense training awaits Oman and the Philippines as they prepare for the SSL Gold Cup Final in Rio in November 2026. 

Looking ahead, Al Mashari stressed preparation and consistency. “We need a strong plan and more training. The competition in Rio will be at the highest level, so we must be ready. The work never ends until the finish line.”

“This is a huge blessing for the team, but we know the work continues. We will keep sailing in the Philippines, training across different boats, and staying mentally focused so we are fully prepared for Rio,” Belmonte Hernandez added.

The Asian road to Rio is set, with two Golden Tickets handed out, and the world of sailing just got a little more shiny.

SSL Gold Cup Asian Qualifiers: Overall Results

Group A

1. Philippines – 30 points
2. Myanmar – 22 points
3. South Korea – 18 points
4. Vietnam – 9 points

Group B

1. Oman – 24 points
2. United Arab Emirates – 13 points
3. Kazakhstan – 10 points