SSL Team GRE – By Sailors for Sailors

THE FOOTBALL WORLD CUP... IN SAILING

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

Events

Upcoming

EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS

G4 - Race 1

14:00

14 July 2026

SWITZERLAND

Participants

POR

GRE

TUR

BUL

Results

Upcoming

EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS

G4 - Race 2

15:30

14 July 2026

SWITZERLAND

Participants

POR

GRE

TUR

BUL

Results

Upcoming

EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS

G4 - Race 3

11:00

15 July 2026

SWITZERLAND

Participants

POR

GRE

TUR

BUL

Results

Upcoming

EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS

G4 - Race 4

12:30

15 July 2026

SWITZERLAND

Participants

POR

GRE

TUR

BUL

Results

Upcoming

EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS

G4 - Race 5

14:00

16 July 2026

SWITZERLAND

Participants

POR

GRE

TUR

BUL

Results

Upcoming

EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS

G4 - Race 6

15:30

16 July 2026

SWITZERLAND

Participants

POR

GRE

TUR

BUL

Results

See All Races

News

The Football World Cup in Sailing Enters Its Next Phase

Sailing is moving deeper into its “world championship” phase, modelled on the idea of a football World Cup. With 197 days left until the Grand Final of the second SSL…

DateYesterday at 15:40

The Countdown Is On: Road to the SSL Gold Cup

30 days until the second qualification round in Grandson, Switzerland, and 200 days until the SSL Gold Cup in Rio, Brazil! The countdown to the 2nd Football World Cup in…

DateSunday at 11:13

Understanding the SSL System: PART 2

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

Odysseus

IN QUEST FOR THE GOLD

ODYSSEIA – TEAM GREECE

In Greece, the sea is not just a natural element. It is the very core of our existence, a deeply rooted history. In the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean, sailing is not just a skill – it is in our blood, in our soul. Team Greece “Odyssey” brings to life this thousand-year-old relationship with the water, carrying the spirit of the greatest sea voyage ever told.
A team born out of effort
Odyssey brings together Greece’s best sailors. Olympic medalists, world champions, and experienced offshore sailors join forces. Combining the precision of an Olympic course with the endurance required on the open sea, this team has proven its worth in the toughest tests, both in medals and in open sea miles.
A journey to the heart of our sailing
Greece has a long, proud history in sailing, shaping generations of top athletes. Odyssey proudly continues this journey.
But Odyssey is more than just a team. It is a bridge that connects generations. Legends of the sport and world champions sail alongside promising new talents. They share knowledge and experiences and build the future of Greek sailing together. The victories we achieve today are the foundation for tomorrow’s champions.
Our mission
Competing in the SSL Gold Cup, Team Odyssey sails with a deeper purpose: to honor the timeless principles of courage, strategy, and ingenuity that date back thousands of years—virtues that defined Odysseus.
We don’t look back with nostalgia. We look forward, to progress. This is the Odyssey – aiming to reach the pinnacle of world sailing.
“In the spirit of Odysseus, we are not sailing towards our “Ithaca” – but towards conquering the summit.

Statistics

THE COUNTRY

43,300 Athletes
143 nautical clubs
13.476 km coastline
6.000 islands

ACHIEVEMENTS

16 Olympic Medals
197 world championship medals
255 Europeans medals
44 youth medals in world and Europeans in 2025 until now

SSL RANKING

SSL best ranked woman:
SSL best ranked man:
SSL nations ranking: 17 (11/2020)

MAIN EVENTS

Aegean 600 > 52 Sail Boats (2019)
Aegean Regatta> 82 Sail Boats (2017)

THE CAPTAIN

SOFIA BEKATOROU

The captain of SSL Team Greece is the 1st female Flagbearer in modern Olympics and the only female sailor worldwide competed in 3 different classes in Olympics.
She is the most successful Greek female sailor with 2 Olympic Medals, 10 World & European Titles & Vice President in World Sailing Athlete’s Commission.
Twice awarded as the Rolex Sailor of the Year for excellent performance in 470 class. She has been the only female tactician in the Farr 40 & strategist in TP 52 Class.

THE LEADERS

VASILEIA KARACHALIOU

She is the teams’ TOP GUN! Top in SSL Ranking for Greece & Women & Νο 2 in Laser Radial International Rankings. Only 24 Years old, already has been distinguished nationally & worldwide, won 10 Medals European & World Cups 6 of them Gold. Most of them when she was only a child. Quote: “Success comes when you are persistent, calm & enjoy what you do!”.

ANDREAS KYPRAIOS

He is the teams’ COMMANDO! One of the most experienced Greek sailors with experience in all kinds of boats from 470 to Farr40, Corel45, IMS 600, ORCi, big boats & offshore fleet racing for 25+ years. Won many Titles worldwide, over 10 Medals World Cups, 4 Gold. Sailing since he was 14 and is still as active as then. Quote: “Sailing means having fun!”.

NIKOS KAKLAMANAKIS

He is the teams’ MENTOR! One of the best male Olympic board sailors up today & most popular Greek athletes. A veteran Greek windsurfer, 3 times world Mistral Olympic Boardsailing class champion, an Olympic gold medalist. Won 2 Olympic Medals & 9 Worldwide Titles, 6 Gold. In love with sea action on board. Quote: “Defeat is an opportunity to get better!”

THE YOUTH FACTOR

Vasileia Karachaliou, Dimitris Papadimitriou & Emilios Monos are all evidence that “young blood” is strong in Greek sailing! These talented trio have all started racing from really young age of 8 & excelled in sailing performance before they reach 16. In SSL Team Greece, young talent is delivering on the Captains pledge to bring mixed male-female crew with a strong youth component to the start line.

Confirmed Athletes

EMILIOS PAPATHANASIOU

| 10

Afrodite Zegers - De Kleine

Bowman | 1

Pitman | 2

Grinder | 4

Floater | 3

Tactician, Main Trimmer | 8

Trimmer |

Main Trimmer |

Trimmer | 78

Tactician | 7

Grinder | 11

Potential Team Position

1 BOW Afrodite Zegers- De Kleine	2 MID-BOW
3 PIT George Karadimas	4 GRINDER ADONIS BOUGIOURIS
5 TRIMMER Panos Douros	6 TRIMMER STYLIANOS NOUTSOS
7 MAIN TRIMMER GEORGE DROUGKAS	8 HELMS
9 TACTICIAN ANASTASIOS BOUDOURIS	10 CAPTAIN
11 FLOATER Chrysa Marinou

BOW

Afrodite Zegers- De Kleine

MID-BOW

PIT

George Karadimas

GRINDER

ADONIS BOUGIOURIS

TRIMMER

Panos Douros

TRIMMER

STYLIANOS NOUTSOS

MAIN TRIMMER

GEORGE DROUGKAS

HELMS

TACTICIAN

ANASTASIOS BOUDOURIS

CAPTAIN

FLOATER

Chrysa Marinou

SQUAD

EMILIOS PAPATHANASIOU	Afrodite Zegers- De Kleine
George Karadimas	ADONIS BOUGIOURIS
Chrysa Marinou	Simos Kambouridis
Panos Douros	GEORGE DROUGKAS
STYLIANOS NOUTSOS	ANASTASIOS BOUDOURIS
ANTONIS TSOTRAS