The Czechs take the lead of Group 4

On the first day of racing in the SSL Gold Cup Qualifying Series third round, SSL Team Czech Republic laid down a marker in Group 4 with an impressive win in Race 1 and a 2nd place in Race 2 to take the lead. 

In Race 1, the Czechs were the fastest out of the blocks at the start, but by the turn at Mark 1, they found themselves 28" behind SSL Team Turkiye, who recovered to take the lead despite receiving an early penalty.

The Czechs took back control of the race in Leg 2, overtaking Young Turks' squad on a fast and direct line to the gate and ultimately to victory.

Behind, SSL Team Bulgaria and SSL Team Portugal were locked in a tight battle, swapping positions several times until a penalty for the Navigators of Portugal at Mark 3 opened the door for the Bulgarian Lions to clinch third place.

The Bulgarian Lions roar in Race 2
Race 2 went right to the wire, with the lowest ranked team SSL Team Bulgaria (SSL Nation n°59) snatching victory on the finish line.

Just one second separated them from the Czechs, who were left to rue a penalty at Mark 3 that likely cost them their second win of the day.

Third in their first outing, the last-gasp win in Race 2 meant the Bulgarians jumped to 2nd place overall in the provisional standings. 

It is unlikely the Czechs will be too unhappy with their first day's racing however, sitting top of what is shaping up to be one of the closest groups seen so far this Qualifying Series. 

After 2nd place in Race 1, SSL Team Turkiye went into Race 2 in good form but despite holding the lead at the halfway point, they struggled to match the pace of the others and crossed the line 4th and last.  

For SSL Team Portugal there is much work to be done after a disappointing first day which ended with 3rd in Race 2.  Given how close both Group 4 races have been so far, they will surely be optimistic that they can turn things around when racing resumes tomorrow.

Just one race is scheduled on Friday. 

Jan Daněk – Trimmer, SSL Team Czech Republic: "It was fun, very shifty but we enjoyed it a lot. The Czech Republic as you know doesn't have sea nor ocean so we are used to these kind of conditions, it suits us. In the second race it was very close with Bulgaria, even after the penalty. It was a hard fight, but we are happy to close day one with a win and a second".

No race in Group 5
In Group 5, Race 1 was abandoned soon after the start due to light shifty winds. With no change in the conditions, the Race Committee confirmed no further racing would take place.

Group 5: SSL Team Chile, SSL Team Peru, SSL Team Uruguay and SSL Team Venezuela.