Monday 22 / December / 2025
Bangkok: Oman Sail’s SSL Team achieved a new milestone for Omani sport on the international stage after qualifying for the Star Sailors League (SSL) Gold Cup 2026, scheduled to take place in November next year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Qualification was secured with a race to spare after the team topped its group with five wins from the first five races in the Asian Qualifiers in Thailand.
The team’s qualification followed an impressive performance and a consistently high competitive standard by Oman Sail’s sailors, as the team maintained a perfect record , win the decisive fifth race worth double points to confirm qualification, and finish unbeaten at the top of the group.
This achievement earned Oman Sail a well-deserved place at the Gold Cup, which will bring together the world’s top 56 national teams from across all continents to compete for the prestigious title of “World Champion of Nations” in one of the most competitive events in international sailing.
With this qualification, Oman Sail joins six Asian nations - Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and India – that had already secured their places at the Star Sailors League Gold Cup 2026 based on national team rankings, which is determined by the results and performance of elite sailors in each country.
The Sultanate of Oman was represented in the qualifiers by a team of elite Omani sailors from Oman Sail, led by team skipper and experienced sailor Nasser Al Mashari, alongside Hussain Al Jabri, Yasser Al Rahbi, Ali Al Balushi, Akram Al Wahaibi, Haitham Al Wahaibi, Raad Al Hadi, Abdulrahman Al Mashari, as well as female sailors Ibtisam Al Salmi and Marwa Al Khaifi. Their participation reflected the depth, diversity, and strength of national talent competing in one of the world’s premier international sailing championships for national teams.
Commenting on the achievement, Abdulaziz Salim Al Shidi, Oman Sail’s Acting Director of Sailing, said: “This achievement reflects the continuous efforts and hard work of our sailors, as well as the technical and administrative teams supporting them. It is the result of sustained investment in developing national talent and confirms that Omani sailing is progressing steadily towards global competitiveness. We look forward to a strong and honourable participation in Brazil that reflects Oman’s name and sporting stature.”
The Star Sailors League is regarded as one of the world’s leading sailing championships for national teams, with all competitors racing on identical SSL47 yachts, ensuring a level playing field. This format places the emphasis on sailors’ skill, tactical decision-making, speed of execution, and teamwork, making it one of the most demanding and prestigious events in the sport.
