SSL Gold Cup 2026: Giorgos Kavas & Afrodite Zegers Sail for Greece
SSL GOLD CUP BRASIL 2026
Giorgos Kavas and Afrodite Zegers race for the Greek flag in Rio, and keep sailing towards Los Angeles 2028.
This month our news comes from the race course, and it is a personal one. On 19 November, Giorgos Kavas, son of our founder Vaggelis Kavas, lines up in Rio de Janeiro with the first Greek crew ever to race at the SSL Gold Cup. Next to him, calling tactics, will be Afrodite Zegers, a two-time Olympian now racing for Greece.
For a family that has spent more than forty years putting people on the water, it doesn't get much prouder than this.
PITMAN
GIORGOS KAVAS
Son of our founder. The pit is the busy heart of the yacht, where the halyards and control lines come together: every sail that goes up or comes down passes through his hands.
TACTICIAN
AFRODITE ZEGERS
Two-time Olympian in the 470, the Olympic two-person dinghy: fourth at Rio 2016, tenth at Tokyo 2020. Rio brings her back to the bay of her first Olympic Games.
THE ROAD TO LOS ANGELES
Away from the SSL47 they are a 470 team too, Afrodite at the helm and Giorgos as crew.
5th
470 Mixed Worlds, Japan 2026, after just two months together
Rio
SSL Gold Cup, November 2026, sailing for Greece
LA 2028
The Olympic Games: the goal they are working towards
What is the SSL Gold Cup?
Think of it as the World Cup of sailing. Nations race for their flag, and every crew gets the same boat: the SSL47, a racing yacht with a golden hull. Nobody can buy an advantage, so the result comes down to the people on board. Teams race in groups of four and the top two go through to the next round.
The Greek boat is called Odyssey, led by five-time Olympian Emilios Papathanasiou, with a mixed crew of seasoned champions and young talent.
40
NATIONS
47 ft
IDENTICAL YACHTS
13 Dec
THE FINAL
When Greece races
One race a day in the opening round. A top-two finish takes Odyssey on to the next round on 26 November.
RACE 1
19 Nov
Thu · 12:30
RACE 2
20 Nov
Fri · 14:00
RACE 3
21 Nov
Sat · 15:30
RACE 4
22 Nov
Sun · 11:00
Racing is broadcast live on the SSL Gold Cup's digital channels, and the team page at gre.sslgoldcup.com has the crew, schedule and results. We'll post updates on our own channels too: look for the golden boat flying the blue and white.
SUMMER 2027
Your own Odyssey starts in Alimos
Watching this crew is a reminder of why so many of you return to Greek waters year after year. The same sea is waiting for you next summer, at a gentler pace, from our bases in Athens, Lefkada, Kos and beyond. Book directly and you deal with the family that owns and looks after your yacht.
Until then, join us in wishing Team Greece fair winds in Rio.
Καλούς ανέμους!
The Kavas family and team