Chon Buri, 20 December – Day 2 of the SSL Gold Cup Asian Qualifier delivered another high-octane chapter of nation-against-nation racing. Tight starts, penalties, protests, and bold manoeuvres shaped four intense races across both groups. With the golden ticket to the Finals in Rio on the line, every decision mattered.
Often described as the second Football World Cup in sailing, the SSL Gold Cup Asian Qualifiers continued to live up to its reputation on Day 2. Crews raced flat out in shifting conditions, fighting for clear lanes, clean hoists, and every meter on the racecourse. Group A and Group B each produced two action-packed races filled with momentum swings and tactical gambles.
Penalties and Precision Racing Across Group B
Group B delivered two high-intensity races packed with protests, penalties and razor-sharp boat handling.
Race 3 began after a postponed start due to shifting breeze. SSL Team UAE – The Falcons – nailed the line early, while SSL Team Oman and SSL Team Kazakhstan quickly engaged in a tight upwind fight. Speed was key, with straight-line sailing paying dividends. Oman surged into the lead but a penalty for Oman and a double penalty for Kazakhstan, Nomad Force, at the windward mark reshuffled the order. UAE rounded first, Oman followed, while Kazakhstan had a spinnaker failure, ending their race and forcing retirement.
“We had a very good start in Race 3 and showed strong speed off the line. We led the race at one point, but we made a tactical mistake at the weather mark. That was not critical. The crucial moment came during the spinnaker hoist. Someone forgot to secure the halyard latch, and the kite went into the water. That mistake was catastrophic and ended our race” shared Kazakhstan – Skipper Murat Abdrakhmanov, reflecting back on the situation today.
From there, it became a straight match race. Oman – the Lions of the Sea, controlled the second lap, hoisted cleanly, and extended away to win by a clear margin.
“In the first race, we received a penalty after a tack near the weather mark. We had an issue with the winch and the grinder was not connecting properly. The boat lost speed and drifted away. We tried to trim back and reach the mark, but we could not avoid touching it. We completed our penalty immediately and continued racing.” said Abdul Rahman Al Mashari, pit for SSL Team Oman. “After that, the key for us was to keep things simple. Everyone stayed calm, focused on their own job, and supported each other on board. Clear communication and discipline made a big difference.”
Race 4 saw UAE dominate the start and control early positioning. Oman recovered from bad air to lead at the weather mark. Clean manoeuvres and strong pace kept Oman ahead throughout, having won all races so far in group B. UAE secured second, while Kazakhstan struggled again with spinnaker issues but finished racing.
“Going into tomorrow with double points, our mindset is to stay calm, stay focused, and do our best. We will keep pushing forward and aim to win the race.” shared Rahman Al Mashari of SSL Team Oman, after securing all wins so far.
Group A Goes Downwind Showdown
Group A delivered a full-throttle showdown in Races 3 and 4, with constant lead changes and tight nation-against-nation battles as teams chased the golden ticket to Rio.
Race 3 opened with the Philippines nailing the start, while Myanmar showed strong speed from the pin. Vietnam impressed early and briefly led for the first time in the regatta after penalties reshuffled the fleet. South Korea fought back after a tough start to the day. On the final downwind, Myanmar found an extra gear, surfed a big wave, and rolled the Philippines right at the line to win by seconds. Su Myat Soe, tactician for SSL Team Myanmar explained how they managed the winning maneuver: “It took a lot of tactical work and technical execution. The key moment was choosing the right time to gybe. We planned that move against the Philippines, made the right decision, and it paid off with the win.”
Race 4 saw South Korea and the Philippines locked in a drag race from the start. Tactical splits and close gybe battles defined the race. The Philippines took advantage of clear lanes and smart exits to secure the win, while South Korea edged Myanmar in a tight fight for second.
“In Race 4, we delivered a strong start after struggling yesterday, having focused heavily on improving that area. We stayed disciplined and executed well,” said Sungmin Cho, trimmer for SSL Team South Korea. “The race then turned into a tight battle with the Philippines and Myanmar. We aimed to escape being trapped between them, stayed patient in our lane, and that decision briefly put us in the lead.”
Double Points Loom Large
Four races. Seven nations pushing limits. Day 2 once again underlined the intensity of SSL racing, where execution, discipline, and courage decide outcomes. With more battles ahead, every team remains focused on one goal: securing the golden ticket to the Finals in Rio.
“We are making progress and have the potential to compete. When we sail cleanly, our pace is strong, but mistakes cost us the race. Our focus now is to eliminate those errors, improve our execution, and keep fighting,” said Murat Abdrakhmanov of SSL Team Kazakhstan.
Sungmin Cho of SSL Team South Korea shared a similar mindset: “Our full focus is now on tomorrow. Everything comes down to crew work, clean execution, and another strong start.”
Myanmar tactician Su Myat Soe added, “Today’s races were extremely close and challenging, with a lot of boat-on-boat sailing. Looking ahead, our focus is clear. We will concentrate on racing directly against the Philippines, stay disciplined, and prepare for a big day tomorrow.”
With double points on offer, anything can still happen on the final day.
SSL Gold Cup Asian Qualifiers: Day 2 Leaderboard
Group A
1. Philippines – 14 points
2. Myanmar – 12 points
3. South Korea – 8 points
4. Vietnam – 5 points
Group B
1. Oman – 12 points
2. United Arab Emirates – 7 points
3. Kazakhstan – 4 points
