The countdown has begun for the 2026 SSL Gold Cup, which will bring 40 national teams to Rio de Janeiro from 19 November. With Olympic medallists among the competitors and two-time Olympic champion Robert Scheidt leading the Brazilian team, the event promises an international contest in one of sailing’s most iconic venues.
Rio de Janeiro is preparing to welcome the sailing world as the SSL Gold Cup 2026 approaches. Forty national teams have secured their places in the finals following a qualification process involving 65 countries.
The competition will take place in Guanabara Bay, with the Race Village based at AXIA Marina da Glória. Set against the backdrop of Rio’s cityscape and the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain, the venue offers a spectacular setting where the bay meets the South Atlantic. The same waters hosted the sailing events during the 2016 Olympic Games.
All teams will compete in identical SSL 47 yachts, putting the emphasis firmly on the sailors rather than differences in boat design. These powerful racing machines demand precise manoeuvres, strong communication and seamless teamwork. The one-design format is central to the SSL Gold Cup’s ambition to give nations of different sailing backgrounds an equal opportunity to compete.
The competition follows a distinctive format, with four teams racing in each group. Higher-ranked nations enter the event at later stages. Through the quarterfinals, 16 teams will be divided into four groups, with the top two in each group progressing. Double points on the final day of every round will keep the standings open and ensure that the competition remains alive until the final races.
Host nation Brazil will be led by Robert Scheidt, the two-time Olympic gold medallist whose presence adds considerable experience to the home team. Scheidt described the event as an important opportunity for Brazilian sailing and Rio de Janeiro, highlighting the ambition to leave a lasting legacy for the sport and the city.
Before the finals begin, the Pan-American Qualifiers will take place from 12 to 15 November. Uruguay, Venezuela, Cuba, Bermuda, Antigua, Mexico, Puerto Rico and El Salvador will compete for the final three places.
The programme will also feature the SSL Snipe Challenge on 24 and 25 November. The invitation event will bring together Open and Women’s fleets, including the top five teams from the recent Snipe World Championship, former World Champions and Olympic sailors.
The Snipe Challenge will feature qualifying races followed by semifinals and a four-boat, winner-takes-all final. As part of the Sailing Athletes Foundation’s efforts to promote sailing worldwide, ten new Lemão Snipe boats will be launched in collaboration with CBVela. All ten sailors in the Brazilian SSL Gold Cup team have a background in the Snipe class, underlining the importance of the class in the country’s sailing tradition.
Fans will be able to follow the action through live coverage on the Starsailors YouTube channel. The organising team will also provide photography, race reports and updates from both the water and the Race Village.
The 1/32 Finals are scheduled for 19 to 22 November, followed by the SSL Snipe Challenge on 24 and 25 November. The 1/16 Finals will take place from 26 to 29 November, with the 1/8 Finals scheduled for 2 to 5 December. The quarterfinals will run from 7 to 10 December, followed by the semifinals on 12 December. The final date has not been specified in the event announcement.
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