Star Sailors League: South Africa, Ukraine, Thailand and Malaysia seal Gold Cup qualification

The draw to decide the opening groups for the Finals will take place later this summer, with the date to be announced shortly.

Group 7: South Africa and Malaysia take the prize

Despite finishing third in today’s final race, SSL Team Malaysia join runaway Group leaders SSL Team South Africa at the Final Series in Bahrain this October.

With SSL Team South Africa wrapping up qualification with a day to spare, today’s final ‘Golden Day’ race was all about the battle between SSL Team Malaysia and SSL Team India.

Already qualified, SSL Team South Africa finish on a high with victory in the final race. Second place for SSL Team India sees them miss out while SSL Malaysia take the final qualifying spot in third.

As they have done all week, SSL South Africa took control early and never looked back, capping a brilliant week for them with another authoritative win.

After a game of chicken between SSL Team India and SSL Team Malaysia led to a collision on the start line yesterday, both teams stayed well clear of each other at the outset this time.

Late to blossom, SSL Team India have improved with every race this week. By the halfway point they had left the Malaysians in their wake and were just about staying in touch with Ian Ainslie’s Ubuntu. But a problem dropping their gennaker at the gate ended any hopes they had of taking the victory they needed, and they miss out on qualification by a single point.

At 60th in the world rankings, making the Finals is even sweeter for SSL Team Malaysia given they started the week as the lowest ranked team in the group.

Group 8: Ukraine and Thailand go to Bahrain

SSL Team Ukraine and SSL Team Thailand finish first and second in the group to qualify for the Finals in Bahrain.

SSL Team Ukraine started the day needing just one point to secure qualification. For SSL Team Thailand, the equation was equally clear – finish in third or better to ward off the challenge of SSL Team Singapore, who themselves had to win to stand any chance of taking the prize.

Runners-up all week, SSL Team Thailand finally got their maiden win in Race 6. SSL Team Ukraine took 2nd place, ensuring they join Thailand at the finals in Bahrain. SSL Team South Korea ended their campaign with third place, with SSL Team Singapore unable to challenge in 4th.

They say a picture paints a thousand words, and the expressions on the faces of SSL Team Thailand as they crossed the line left no doubt what this meant to them. Overcoming a shaky start, Chang Thai edged in front after an exciting opening leg that saw all four teams jostle for the lead.

After a promising opening for Jovina Choo’s SSL Team Singapore, their challenge faltered in Leg 3, when an all-or-nothing gamble on the right-hand side of the course failed to pay off.

With Noppakao Poonpat’s crew flying in front, group leaders SSL Team Ukraine knew 2nd place was more than enough for them to qualify. However, Ihor Matviienko’s ‘Haydamaky’ were determined to finish with a win, and chased the Thai boat all the way, tack for tack, gybe for gybe.

But Chang Thai kept their cool on the final approach, finishing 19” clear of the Ukrainians to finally get the win their performances this week have deserved.

text and images courtesy of Star Sailors League