Star Sailors League: Team Estonia one step closer to SSL Gold Cup 2022

SSL Team Estonia “Icebreakers” took one more step towards SSL Gold Cup 2022 Final Series by winning their second race in Race 3 of Group 2, in Lake Neuchâtel, Grandson, Switzerland. SSL Team Bermuda “Privateers” got their first win in a finely-poised Group 1 where final placings will be decided on Sunday’s Golden Day.

Estonia and Ireland on the Freeway to the Finals

Lake Neuchâtel was so flat that the Icebreakers from Estonia might have thought it was ice. That could explain how comfortable Tonu Toniste’s crew won the race. From Mark 1 to finish, the team in blue was never really worried about what happened behind them and rolled to victory, which was not really the case for Ireland. Just in front of the finish line, the Green Armada got trapped in a dying wind under the attack of The Belgian Sea Devils. It took them a double gybe to get through and finish second, just. The Belgians will surely be disappointed by their result, but their false start did not help them. Serbia closed the race again today, but they sailed clean and should not be disappointed by their performance on the water.

Estonia (11 points) and Ireland (10 points) may have half a foot in the Final Series, set for October-November, as they took control of Group 2. SSL Team Belgium “Sea Devils” and SSL Team Serbia “Eagles” are lagging behind but tomorrow’s Golden Day, where races count for double points, could change the deal.

All down to the Golden Day

The standings will definitely change tomorrow for Group 1 as just four points separate first and last after Saturday’s race. The Privateers from Bermuda finally got their first win in the SSL Gold Cup QS. It was not without suspense as they also had a hard time fighting against dying wind just 100m away from the finish line.

SSL Team Antigua  & Barbuda “Rum Runners” battled hard to have a hold on the 2nd place in the race. SSL Team Tahiti’s “Black Pearls” sneaky third place in the last metre allowed them to gain a precious point in the race to the Finals. And SSL Team Puerto Rico’s “Los Boricuas” gliding episode offering them the back of the fleet also reshuffled the cards. Stakes will be high on Sunday for all four Islands’ teams.

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Text and images provided by Star Sailors League.