QS5 Group 8 - Day 2: Ukraine on the move

After a topsy-turvy first day for their rivals, SSL Team Thailand led the overnight standings by virtue of two steady 2nd place finishes. But despite taking another 'silver' today, it would not be enough to keep their crown.

Race 3: A third 2nd place for Thailand

SSL Team Ukraine produced another dominant performance to move top of Group 8. SSL Team Thailand clinched the runners-up spot, fighting off a strong challenge from both SSL Team Singapore (3rd) and SSL Team Korea (4th).

After a tight and frantic opening leg in which the Asian teams took turns to attack each other, the door opened for Ihor Matviienko’s ‘Haydamaky’ to take control of the race.

With the Ukrainians comfortable out in front, a tense three-way battle for 2nd place was hotting up behind. SSL Team Singapore and SSL Team Thailand traded places several times, while a gamble to the right-hand side from the trailing SSL Team South Korea allowed them to close in.

With only seconds separating the three boats on the final approach, ’Chang Thai’ timed their gybe to perfection, controlling both their rivals and ensuring the extra points would be theirs.

Super Saturday

With two races expected tomorrow, everything can change for all four teams in Group 8. For bottom SSL Team South Korea, it would be the perfect time to post a maiden victory.

Follow all the action LIVE on YouTube from 11.00 CET Saturday.

ALSO READ: QS5 GROUP 8: UKRAINE AND THAILAND MEET AGAIN AS SINGAPORE AND KOREA DEBUT

DID YOU KNOW?

Sailing has its own World Cup, finally! Like football in 1930 and rugby in 1987, the SSL Gold Cup is designed to crown the best sailing nation of all! The World's Top 56 countries, selected on their SSL Nation ranking, will battle their way through to raise the coveted and only Sailing World Cup trophy.

The SSL Gold Cup 2022 started on May 19th with the Qualifying Series in Grandson, Lake Neuchatel (Switzerland). All teams ranked from the Top 25 to 56 in the SSL Nations Ranking (based on January 2022 standings) will meet in eight groups of four teams each. There will be five stages, or rounds, until July 17th.

Only the top two teams of each group will go through to the Final Series that will take place from October 28th to November 20th, 2022, in Bahrain.