SSL Team ANT – By Sailors for Sailors

THE FOOTBALL WORLD CUP... IN SAILING

15 NOV - 13 DEC 2026 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Events

Upcoming

PAN-AMERICAN QUALIFIERS

G2 - Race 1

12:30

12 November 2026

BRAZIL

Participants

BER

GUA

ANT

Results

Upcoming

PAN-AMERICAN QUALIFIERS

G2 - Race 2

11:00

13 November 2026

BRAZIL

Participants

BER

GUA

ANT

Results

Upcoming

PAN-AMERICAN QUALIFIERS

G2 - Race 3

14:00

14 November 2026

BRAZIL

Participants

BER

GUA

ANT

Results

Upcoming

PAN-AMERICAN QUALIFIERS

G2 - Race 4

12:30

15 November 2026

BRAZIL

Participants

BER

GUA

ANT

Results

See All Races

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In this second Q&A cycle, we take a closer look at the structure behind team composition, race dynamics, and eligibility within the Star Sailors League. From how national squads are…

Date30.04.2026

THE RUM RUNNERS

Each endeavouring, all achieving

Born to Sail, Primed to Race

Few professional sailors would argue that Antigua is one of the world’s best racing locations, and Antiguan sailors are into the SSL Gold Cup to show the world that it is also a great professional sailors factory.

Located in the centre of the Caribbean, Antigua is blessed with warm trade winds and sea state from the mighty Atlantic Ocean. Antigua is to sail, as the Alps are to ski. The history of sailing in Antigua dates back centuries, the Rum Runners quite literally have sailing in their blood. As Caribbean regattas go, Antigua Sailing Week is the granddaddy of them all, with the first regatta held in 1968. For over 50 years, Antiguans have had the opportunity to race with, and against, the very best sailors in the world. In recent years, Antiguan sailors have excelled in the sport of sailing, boasting winners of the America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race. The Rum Runners is a blend of world class athletes from the powerhouse of sailing and aspiring young talent, looking to make their mark in the SSL Gold Cup.

STATISTICS

THE COUNTRY

93,219 people total (on both islands)
11 marinas and 1 yacht club
365 pristine beaches
3 current America's Cup sailors from Antigua
Antigua is 14 miles long and 11 miles wide and about a hundred square miles) in area while Barbuda is 161 km2 (62 sq mi)

ACHIEVEMENTS

3 America's Cup Final wins (Shannon 2, Louis Sinclair 1)

SSL RANKING

SSL best ranked woman: 20638 Jalese Gordon
SSL best ranked man: 2235 Jules Mitchell
SSL nations ranking: 62

MAIN EVENTS

Antigua Sailing Week - 1500 participants and 5000 spectators on average annually
RORC Caribbean 600 - 74 teams with 738 sailors from 32 different nations

With a population of under 100,000, Antigua has produced two America’s Cup winners; Shannon Falcone and Louis Sinclair. No other country in the SSL Gold Cup can match this ratio.

THE CAPTAIN

SHANNON FALCONE

He was just three years old when he sailed with his parents across the Atlantic to Antigua. Inheriting his father Carlo’s passion, Shannon competed at three Star World Championships with Carlo. The America’s Cup beckoned for Shannon with Mascalzone Latino, and Luna Rossa. Offshore, two editions of the Volvo Ocean Race and record runs with Comanche deepened Shannon’s prowess. In 2013, Shannon was victorious with Oracle Team USA winning the America’s Cup. In 2017, Shannon was on board for the greatest comeback in sporting history to defend the Cup. Shannon is back with Luna Rossa for the 2021 edition.

THE LEADERS

LOUIS SINCLAIR

Raised in Antigua, Louis became a pro-sailor at just 17 years old, completing many Atlantic races. Louis has won the America’s Cup with Oracle USA and the Volvo Ocean Race with Abu Dhabi. Honing his skills racing on Maxis Leopard and Comanche, Louis is a phenomenal bowman. Ranked as one of the strongest sailors for the 2021 America’s Cup, Louis will be defending the Cup with Emirates Team New Zealand.

ALEX SINCLAIR

Raised in Antigua with his brother Louis, Alex is on the America’s Cup team for NYYC American Magic. For the 2021 America’s Cup, Alex will be racing against his brother! Alex came to prominence racing in the RORC Caribbean 600 winning in home waters with Shockwave and Bella Mente. Alex has also tasted success in numerous one design classes, and away from sailing is a world class Free Diver.

JAREESE FINCH

Born in Antigua, Jareese began sailing at 5 years old. Jareese has sailed in numerous TP52, Maxi and J-Class campaigns. Like teammate Alex Sinclair, Jareese has won the RORC Caribbean 600 on board Bella Mente and also with Maxi72 Proteus. Along with Louis Sinclair, Jareese was on board Leopard for two Transatlantic records.

THE YOUTH FACTOR

In recent years, sailing has become part of the school curriculum for Antigua & Barbuda. The Antigua Yacht Club and the National Sailing Academy have produced rising stars of the sailing world, which will be racing for the Rum Runners. 29er pair Rocco Falcone & Louis Bavay. Top Laser sailor Jules Mitchell plus Rhone Kirby and Ryan Tongue. Young women sailors on the team include Atlantic rower Junella King, and Laser Radial sailor, Jalese Gordon.

Confirmed Athletes

Captain | 10

Grinder | 6

MID-BOW | 2

Tactician | 9

Helm | 8

PIT | 3

TRIMMER | 4

TRIMMER | 5

TBD | TBD

TBD | TBD

TBD | TBD

TBD | TBD

Potential Team Position

1 BOW	2 MID-BOW Junella King
3 PIT Vincent Anfi	4 GRINDER Tristan Louwrens
5 TRIMMER Rhone Kirby	6 TRIMMER Jalese Gordon
7 MAIN TRIMMER	8 HELM Jules Mitchell
9 TACTICIAN Rocco Falcone	10 CAPTAIN Shannon Falcone
11 FLOATER

BOW

MID-BOW

Junella King

PIT

Vincent Anfi

GRINDER

Tristan Louwrens

TRIMMER

Rhone Kirby

TRIMMER

Jalese Gordon

MAIN TRIMMER

HELM

Jules Mitchell

TACTICIAN

Rocco Falcone

CAPTAIN

Shannon Falcone

FLOATER

SQUAD

Shannon Falcone	Tristan Louwrens
Junella King	Rocco Falcone
Louis Bavay	Jules Mitchell
Alex Sinclair	Vincent Anfi
Rhone Kirby	Jalese Gordon
Jareese Finch	Moris Valentine
Ryan Tonge