Rio was heating up in more ways than one as the SSL Gold Cup Pan-American Qualifiers hit the mid-point in racing terms, with the third race of the series.
The temperature was rising, and so was the pressure, as the teams knew that today could make or break their chances to qualify for the Copa do Mundo da Vela.
Only three of the eight teams will book their ticket to the SSL Gold Cup Finals 2026, with the winners of each group going straight through, while the teams placed second and third in the groups competing will then have a ‘Last Chance’ race, where the winner takes that final coveted spot.
Group I, Race 3
Racing started just after midday Brazilian time with Group I on the water. Cuba and Bermuda judged their time on distance perfectly on the line, with both Mexico and El Salvador pulling the trigger a couple of seconds late and suffering as a consequence.
The teams all favoured the left side upwind on Guanabara Bay, leading to a boatspeed battle and the crews hiking to the max, with Bermuda consolidating on their excellent start to eke out a small lead, but it was El Salvador, who had tacked away early to clear their air, that crossed ahead.
At the windward mark it was Mexico who tacked inside to jump from last to first with Bermuda, El Salvador and Cuba seconds behind. The spinnaker hoists were frantic as the athletes knew that in this race every second would count. Mexican helm Yanic Gentry set the tone downwind by sailing hard angles again to push the boatspeed to the max, rounding the leeward gate first, heading to the left with El Salvador while Cuba and Bermuda went right.
With the wind shifting right it was Cuba, helmed by Nelido Manso López, who took the lead with Rockal Evans and his Bermuda team hot on their tail, but a problem with the spinnaker retrieval line at the final windward mark hoist brought both Bermuda and Mexico right back into the game.
At the first gybe it was Mexico in the lead, Bermuda just a metre back, and Cuba dropping to third. This race was going to go all the way to the wire.
Mexico stormed through the final gybe to force Bermuda to gybe themselves, but the Bermudan Privateers held their nerve to cross the finish two seconds ahead of the Mexican Las Catrinas team and Cuba’s Pirates of the Caribbean just ten seconds further back.
This was a race for the ages, leaving Mexico top of the leaderboard on 10 points, Bermuda and Cuba tied on 8, with El Salvador on 4.
SSL Team Bermuda’s Captain Rockal Evans explained how he kept the team motivated and the joy of picking up the win today:
“Most of it was just keeping everybody positive and happy, reminding them that it’s the first time we’ve sailed together as a team with lots of new crew members, knowing that we can improve the next day and that there’s still a lot of racing to do. Heads up and keep trucking along. A day like today is such a good feeling. As we crossed the finish line it was a big exhale, congratulating everybody, and being a proud Bermudian sailor, coming from a small island.”
Group H, Race 3
It was Group H’s turn to hit the racetrack and the teams lined up beautifully in 15 knots of wind on the startline, but Antigua & Barbuda pulled the trigger a second late, having to tack away, soon matched by Venezuela, while Uruguay and Peru powered away on starboard tack.
Uruguay held off the fast-charging Puerto Rico at the windward mark, and soon extended as Puerto Rico’s spinnaker retrieval line jammed, leading to a slow spinnaker hoist, with Antigua & Barbuda 200 metres behind.
The fleet downwind looked majestic with the breathtaking background of Sugarloaf Mountain as Antigua & Barbuda powering past the Puerto Rico team and forcing them into a crash gybe which tore their spinnaker while Uruguay extended at the front.
There was then drama as both Puerto Rico and Antigua & Barbuda came in fast and hot at the leeward gate, spinnakers flogging. The Antiguan Rum Runners executed a perfect spinnaker drop, but there were problems for the Puerto Rico crew, carrying on past the gate and dropping them to the back of the fleet.
With the wind building to 17 knots, positions held steady through the final lap. Uruguay’s crew were thriving, powering downwind to the finish line to take a convincing victory, extending their lead over their nearest competitors to three points, with Antigua & Barbuda finishing 27 seconds behind, followed by Venezuela and finally Puerto Rico.
Behind Uruguay, Antigua & Barbuda are now tied on seven points with Puerto Rico. Venezuela are two points further back.
The scene is now beautifully set for Saturday’s racing, and then double points race on Sunday to decide our Group winners, and then the dramatic Last Chance showdown for that final ticket. It’s going to be a rocking weekend in Rio!
How to follow the SSL Gold Cup?
Social media: Instagram & Facebook, and TikTok
Broadcast LIVE from the racing: YouTube