Representing a nation with more than 3,500 kilometres of coastline, SSL Team Venezuela brings together Olympic experience, international titles and a strong connection to the sea. Known as Los Caciques, the Venezuelan crew is ready to take on the Pan-American Qualifiers and fight for a place in the SSL Gold Cup Final Series.
Venezuela may be best known for its passion for baseball, but a group of dedicated sailors is determined to bring the country closer to the ocean. Inspired by the legacy of the Caciques, the team combines experienced international competitors with sailors who have already made their mark on the national and international stages.
At the helm and Capitan of the team is Andrés Lage, also known as Andy, an Olympic sailor who represented Venezuela in the Finn class at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. He also achieved a Top 10 finish at the 2019 World Cup. Sailing since the age of 11, Lage brings valuable experience and a determined mindset to the crew. His personal approach to racing includes visualising the entire regatta before heading out on the water and his greatest superpower, as he puts it, is never giving up.
On the main trim, José Gutierrez adds an impressive record of international achievements. He was the Overall Copa del Rey Champion in 2024 and a Junior World Champion in 2010, bringing years of competitive experience to the team.
The bow position is taken by Ricardo Martos, whose recent results include a silver medal in the J/70 First Division at Aarhus ASK in the 2025/2026 season. His experience adds another important element to the crew's mix of skills.
The team also features Sabrina Hernandez, a member of Venezuela's national sailing team who has been sailing since the age of nine. One of her most memorable achievements was winning gold at the 2022 Central American and Caribbean Sea and Beach Games in Santa Marta. Away from the racecourse, Sabrina prepares for competition through meditation, while resilience is the superpower she brings to the team.
SSL Team Venezuela will compete in Group H of the Pan-American Qualifiers, facing Uruguay, Antigua and Puerto Rico. With eight teams divided into two groups, the competition from 12–16 November will determine which nations move straight to the final Series.
With Olympic experience, international championship titles and a strong team spirit, Los Caciques are ready to represent Venezuela on the SSL47. Their mission is clear: bring their individual strengths together, race as one team and make their mark in the Pan-American Qualifiers.
The wrath of the Caciques is ready to be unleashed.
Follow their journey on their social media:
SSL Team Venezuela Instagram
SSL Team Venezuela Facebook
