The final group of the European Qualifiers is now complete. SSL Team Bulgaria joins Group G, returning for its second SSL Gold Cup campaign with one clear goal to qualify for the next stage. Known as "The Lions," the Bulgarian team believes that small nations can achieve big things. Raised on the waters of the Black Sea, the sailors bring determination, resilience, and strong racing instincts to one of sailing's most demanding competitions.
Bulgaria has assembled one of the youngest squads in the European Qualifiers, combining talented rising stars with experienced international sailors. The team is led by captain Yavor Kolev, a veteran sailing coach with 35 years in the sport, including a decade guiding Bulgaria's Olympic sailors. For this qualifier he has stepped back from the boat entirely, handing on-board responsibility to skipper and tactician Lyuben Tenekedzhiev. Tenekedzhiev has been one of Bulgaria's most successful dinghy sailors for many years, and his international experience and leadership will play a key role during the qualifiers.
Another important part of the squad are brothers Ivo Todorov (helm) and Lyuben Todorov (bowman), who recently achieved strong offshore results, including 2nd place in IRC1 at the 2025 Loro Piana Giraglia and a top-10 finish at the Aegean 600.
Bulgaria impressed during the first edition of the SSL Gold Cup and now returns with an exciting young team ready for another challenge. In Group G, the Lions will face Portugal and Turkey as they fight for a place in the next round.
