KUALA LUMPUR – The SSL Team Malaysia, currently participating in the Star Sailors League (SSL) Gold Cup in Gran Canaria, Spain, received a major morale boost with the arrival of their Royal Patron, Crown Prince of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, on November 9.
Welcomed by team captain Megat Danial Megat Najmuddin and key members of the national keelboat team, including Olympian Khairulnizam Mohd Affendy and recent Asian Games gold medallist Nur Shazrin Mohamad Latif, the Crown Prince’s presence has injected a sense of inspiration into the team.
“We wish to thank His Highness for taking the time to provide moral support to the team.
“During his visit, we briefed His Highness on our preparations, including the week-long training stint in Croatia, before arriving in Gran Canaria. We are optimistic about securing a top 20 place in the finals,” said Megat Danial.
The draw ceremony, conducted in the presence of Tengku Amir Shah on November 9, placed SSL Team Malaysia in Fleet 3 of the 1/32 round alongside Antigua and Barbuda, Ukraine, and Bermuda.
Other fleets include Peru, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Tahiti (Fleet 1); Portugal, Chile, Cuba, Estonia (Fleet 2); and Czech Republic, Lithuania, South Africa, Oman (Fleet 4).
The top two teams from each fleet will advance to the 1/16 round.
Led by three-time Olympian Khairulnizam as helmsman and tactician Nur Shazrin, Malaysia secured second place behind Antigua Barbuda in Race 1 on November 10 and third behind Antigua and Barbuda and Ukraine in Race 2 on November 11.
The SSL Gold Cup, recognised by World Sailing as an official World Cup of nations, will determine the best country in sailing.
Out of the 40 nations in the finals, 24 qualified based on their overall SSL rankings, while eight countries, including Spain, United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, and Italy, advanced directly to the quarterfinals.
Malaysia, currently ranked 51st in the SSL Nations Ranking as of September, aims to make a mark in this prestigious international sailing competition, with Japan leading as the top Asian nation at 29th. – November 13, 2023