SSL Team ECU – By Sailors for Sailors

THE FOOTBALL WORLD CUP... IN SAILING

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

Events

Upcoming

1/32 FINALS

G1 - Race 1

11:00

19 November 2026

BRAZIL

Participants

ECU

DRAW1

DRAW2

DRAW3

Results

Upcoming

1/32 FINALS

G1 - Race 2

12:30

20 November 2026

BRAZIL

Participants

ECU

DRAW1

DRAW2

DRAW3

Results

Upcoming

1/32 FINALS

G1 - Race 3

14:00

21 November 2026

BRAZIL

Participants

ECU

DRAW1

DRAW2

DRAW3

Results

Upcoming

1/32 FINALS

G1 - Race 4

15:30

22 November 2026

BRAZIL

Participants

ECU

DRAW1

DRAW2

DRAW3

Results

See All Races

News

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…

DateYesterday at 17:55

We are getting closer!

The countdown to the next qualification event in Grandson, Switzerland, has officially begun. From June 2–4, teams from Tahiti, Seychelles, Morocco, and Mozambique will go head-to-head on the water, bringing…

DateWednesday at 17:50

SSL Ranking Shifts After a Busy Start to the 2026 Season

After a series of major events at the start of the 2026 sailing season, the SSL Ranking has seen some notable changes. Key regattas included the 55th Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa…

DateTuesday at 17:43

LA TRI

HIGHER AND FASTER

All you need is Ecuador

Ecuador is a country with a very diverse geography, we sail between the Enchanted Islands of Galapagos, paradisiacal coasts and in the Andes in lakes between volcanoes. Despite being a small country, we have achieved world and continental titles in several classes. Competing in this event gives us another opportunity to show that we are always ready for difficult challenges. We consider that a strength of the team is unity. Many of us learned to sail and compete together as children.

Statistics

THE COUNTRY

1000 nautical passionate
300 sailors
4 Sailing Clubs
5 Sailing Schools
2,230 km of sea coast , 2 lakes, 1 river

ACHIEVEMENTS

1-time Olympian in sailing
1 Pan American Games Gold Medal
1 Pan American Games Silver Medal

Ssl ranking

SSL best ranked woman: 460
SSL best ranked man: 75
SSL nations ranking: 38

MAIN EVENTS

Galapagos Cup
South American Games

“In Ecuador the sailors only have 1 basic rule of three words that we can’t break:
1.- Don’t
2.- Mess
3.- Up”

The captain

JULIO VÉLEZ

Sailor since he was 7 years old, achieving many titles nationally and internationally. He has represented his country on many occasions in events both on the South American Olympic Circuit and in the region, achieving outstanding performances including the title of South American Champion of the Lightning Class. He is currently the helmsman of the lightning team and crew of a Swan45 acting as the team tactician.

THE LEADERS

JUAN SANTOS

He has been sailing since he was 14 years old, in his debut in the SSL he will celebrate 50 years of continuous navigation, he has competed in more than 100 international tournaments in different classes, 14 World Championships and 5 Pan American Games between them. He won 5 South American Tournaments, one in Standard Laser Class and four in Lightning class in addition to some medals in the South American Olympic Circuit. He currently sails in Lightning and in Oceanic he is the helmsman of a Swan 45.

JONATHAN MARTINETTI

Sailor since he was 11 years old, starting in the Optimist class, achieving many national and international titles. He has been South American Optimist Champion, 2 times Sunfish World Champion, 3 times Junior World Champion in three different classes, Pan American Champion in Sunfish class in Toronto 2015 and some other medals in the South American Olympic Circuit. He is passionate about sailing, competition and the sea.

MATIAS DYCK

Laser navigator at heart and our team athlete. He has been chasing his Olympic dream for two campaigns, being Ecuador’s strongest card for Paris 2024. Despite being born and raised in Quito, Ecuador, at more than 2,800 meters above sea level. Matías has found a way to compete against the best in the world in their field. He is recognized by many for his excellent endurance.

THE YOUTH FACTOR

The young Ecuadorian generation of sailors is growing over the years. They are talented and with a lot of determination. They have passion and are motivated to improve every day and they share experiences and learn from the best sailors from Ecuador. Most of them sail Olympic and Pan American boats and the dream to become an olympic medalist.

Confirmed Athletes

Captain | 10

Trimmer | 7

Grinder | 5

Helm | 9

Trimmer | 4

Bow | 1

Floater | 11

Mid Bow | 6

Pit | 3

Tactician | 13

Potential Team Position

1 BOW Samuel Herrera	2 MID-BOW Matias Dyck
3 PIT Alfredo Ochoa	4 GRINDER John Birkett
5 TRIMMER Sebastian Herrera	6 TRIMMER Rafael Quintero
7 MAIN TRIMMER	8 HELMS Jonathan Martinetti
9 TACTICIAN Edgar Diminich	10 CAPTAIN Julio Velez
11 FLOATER Irene Suarez

BOW

Samuel Herrera

MID-BOW

Matias Dyck

PIT

Alfredo Ochoa

GRINDER

John Birkett

TRIMMER

Sebastian Herrera

TRIMMER

Rafael Quintero

MAIN TRIMMER

HELMS

Jonathan Martinetti

TACTICIAN

Edgar Diminich

CAPTAIN

Julio Velez

FLOATER

Irene Suarez

SQUAD

Julio Velez	Rafael Quintero
John Birkett	Jonathan Martinetti
Sebastian Herrera	Samuel Herrera
Irene Suarez	Matias Dyck
Alfredo Ochoa	Edgar Diminich
Juan Santos	Juan Andres Santos
Juan Ferretti	Jesús Bailon
Sara Dyck	Francisco Almeida
Eduardo Viteri	Luis Perez
Luis Mario Acosta