Oman
Sail Team Qualifies for Star Sailors League Gold Cup 2026 in Brazil

Bangkok,
22 Dec 2025 (ONA) — 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.

—Ends/AG