Colombian sports celebrate a historic milestone after confirming this Tuesday, February 10, the official classification of the national team to the Star Sailors League (SSL) Gold Cup 2026.
This competition, recognized as the world championship for nations, brings together the best sailing teams on the planet under an innovative competition format, directly inspired by the structure of the Soccer World Cup.
With this event, the organization of the Star Sailors League seeks to offer a global platform that gives visibility to the most outstanding sailors, regardless of their class or previous career.
A fundamental challenge for the Colombian representatives will be technical versatility, since all crew members must adapt precisely to the demands of the SSL47, the official high-performance boat designed specifically for this tournament.
The leadership of the national team will be in the hands of Simón Gómez, who was designated as captain by the organization thanks to his outstanding position in the SSL Global ranking.
Gómez assumes a responsibility that transcends technical navigation, since his work includes the strategic convocation of the members and the comprehensive management of the project, consolidating himself as the central figure that will guide local talent in this international event.
Colombia secures its place in the world sailing elite for the SSL Gold Cup 2026
The Colombian roster will be made up of a total of 12 crew members, divided into ten starters and two reserves. The structure of the tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will follow a direct elimination scheme after an initial group stage.
The official schedule states that the action will begin on November 15, 2026, culminating with the grand final for the world title on December 13 of the same year.
Colombia thus joins a select group of 31 nations already confirmed out of a total of 40 participants.
On the continental level, it will share the stage with powers such as the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Ecuador.
The rest of the current table is completed by twelve European nations, two from Oceania, six from Asia and one from Africa, with nine places pending that will be defined in future qualifying competitions during the course of the year.
The SSL Colombia project not only aims to achieve outstanding sporting performance in Brazilian waters, but also seeks to establish a solid foundation for sailing in the country.
The main objective is to promote the professionalization of national athletes and consolidate a culture of excellence that projects Colombia’s identity towards the most demanding stages of world water sports.
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