Antigua and Barbuda’s national sailing team made a winning start to the SSL Gold Cup Pan-American Qualifiers in Brazil, capturing first place in its opening race Thursday before finishing fourth in the second race to remain firmly in contention for qualification.

The team, known as the “Rum Runners,” is competing against Uruguay, Puerto Rico and Venezuela in Group H of the international sailing competition being held in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro.

Led by captain Shannon Falcone, Antigua and Barbuda delivered a strong performance in the opening race, overcoming pressure from Uruguay to secure victory.

Uruguay had controlled much of the contest and appeared headed for victory before receiving penalties for rule violations near the final turning point of the race.

The Uruguayan crew was first penalized for deploying its spinnaker pole too early and then received another penalty after interfering with Antigua and Barbuda’s boat while attempting to complete a penalty turn.

The incidents allowed Antigua and Barbuda to move ahead and maintain its advantage to the finish line.

Puerto Rico finished second, Uruguay third and Venezuela fourth.

However, Antigua and Barbuda encountered difficulties in the second race, eventually finishing fourth behind Uruguay, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.

The national team had been challenging Puerto Rico for second place before a tactical maneuver and an equipment problem cost it valuable ground, allowing Venezuela to move ahead.

Falcone acknowledged the setback but remained optimistic about the team’s chances.

“We came out, sailed a clean race in the first, keeping the pressure on and managing to capitalise on a mistake by Uruguay,” he said.

The captain explained that the team had also performed well during the second race but encountered a problem with a knotted retrieval line that affected its ability to maintain position.

“So a 1,4 day, but it’s still all to play for,” Falcone said.

Following the opening two races, Uruguay and Puerto Rico share the Group H lead with six points each, while Antigua and Barbuda sits just one point behind on five. Venezuela is fourth with three points.

The competition features national sailing teams battling for qualification to the SSL Gold Cup, with five races scheduled for each group between Nov. 12 and 15.

Teams finishing second and third in their respective groups will compete in an additional qualification race for the third qualifying position, which could take place Nov. 16.

Antigua and Barbuda’s opening victory provides an encouraging start to the campaign, with the national team remaining within striking distance of the group leaders as racing continues in Brazil.

The SSL Gold Cup brings together national sailing teams in a competition designed to showcase the world’s leading sailing nations.

Source: Star Sailors League race report, published by World Sailing, Nov. 13, 2026.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda win opening race at SSL Gold Cup qualifiers in Brazil.