World Sailing Championships, SSL Gold Cup 2026, Part 5

The trip to Rio on 17 July – how did it go?

Text: Tom Sundman

After five races, the Finnish team, ‘Northern Magic’, had shared the lead with Ukraine on 12 points, whilst Greece had only 6 points and was no longer in with a chance of progressing. There was one race remaining, for which double points were awarded. This resulted in a ‘winner takes it all’ situation, meaning that only a victory would secure a place in the next round.

The wind was very light and shifty, which meant that the start had to be postponed several times. Group G sailed first, and Portugal won after a convincing performance, securing their place in the final in Rio.

In the fifth race, Ukraine showed good boat speed and tactics, which meant Finland really needed a bit of magic to win. According to Oskari Seeslinna, they would certainly have a good chance if they could put in a flawless performance. After all, they had several match-racing veterans in their crew.

When the race finally got underway, the Finns were positioned furthest back on the starting line and were approaching the Ukrainians from behind. Ukraine adjusted the boat’s course, and the Finns had the opportunity to gain half-cover and execute a ‘hook’ – that is, to adjust their own course and force the Ukrainians to give way. For some reason, they did not do so but continued towards the line with just 10 seconds remaining. However, they were too low at the flag end of the line and still above the Greeks. Both had difficulty getting past the flag from above, which slowed them down. Apparently, the wind direction had changed, as the Ukrainian skipper confirmed afterwards. The Finns were forced to turn right to avoid the crosswind from the Greeks and go round the back of the Ukrainians. A little later, the Ukrainians also turned right, well positioned on the windward side. The Finns apparently concluded that there was no chance of getting past the Ukrainians on the leeward side, so they turned left.
The Ukrainians sailed well, reading the wind shifts correctly, and were well clear in the lead at the top mark, 1 minute 25 seconds ahead of the Greeks and 1 minute 38 seconds ahead of the Finns. Game over!

After that, there was only one team that showed how to sail, although the Finns did get to show off their skills by performing a difficult ‘gibb set’ manoeuvre – that is, whilst hoisting the gennaker, they jibbed to the other tack to immediately head left, as that was the more favourable course. Ukraine won convincingly and secured their place in Rio.

Pensive sailors after a lost race.
The SSL Gold Cup regatta continues with the Central American qualifiers from 12 to 15 November. The final races begin on 19 November and continue until 13 December.