CAPTAIN | 10
HAYDAMAKY
BEYOND ALL
From old traditions to new victories
Sailing in Ukraine dates back to the emergence of imperial yacht clubs in the Russian Empire. But the most widespread races of monotype yachts were already in the post-second World war years. Athletes from Ukraine have always formed the basis of the USSR national team and have adequately represented the country in the international arena. Ukrainian yachtsmen have high achievements in both single and crewed class racing. Regardless of the rank of the competition, be it the Olympic Games or the most prestigious round-the-world races, Ukrainians proudly carry the flag of their country and rise to the highest steps of the victory podium.
Since the first years of independence, yachtsmen of Ukraine have proved and are proving that they occupy an honorable place in the sailing world. Not only was there the representation of two yachts at once in the prestigious Whitbread Round the World Race 93-94, there were also five medals of all merits at the subsequent Olympic Games in Atlanta, Sydney, and Athens.
The national hero of Ukraine in sailing is Valentin Mankin. No one in the world has yet won three Olympic gold medals in three different classes. It was he who laid the winning traditions in Ukraine, which served as the basis for achieving high results for the next generations.
Statistics
ACHIEVEMENTS
- 1 Olympic Gold Medal
- 2 Olympic silver medals
- 2 Olympic bronze medals
SSL RANKING RATINGS
- SSL best ranked skipper: 17(2012)
- SSL best ranked crew: 18(2012)
- SSL nations ranking: 32 (10/2020)
The captain
RODION LUKA
During his career, the captain of SSL Team Ukraine has come a long way, from youth classes to steering yachts on the Volvo Ocean Race. Among his achievements are medals from the Olympic Games and gold at the World and European Championships, in the Olympic class. In total, he climbed the world championships podium seven times in different classes of monotypes. A true leader, with experience and high performance in four Olympic Games, will certainly lead the team to the top of the SSL Nations Gold Cup.
THE LEADERS
Ruslana Taran
One of the best yachtsmen in the world ever. She became a medalist three times at three Olympic Games in two yacht classes. Four-time winner of gold medals at the World Championship. ISAF ROLEX Yachtswoman of the Year. A true team player in any crew.
Evgeny Braslavets
Olympic champion, world champion, top-level helmsman. An impeccable strategist and cold-blooded fighter. For 25 years now, in every regatta Evgeny takes part in, he is a contender for victory, regardless of the class of yachts
Sergey Pichugin
During his career, he achieved not only high results in the Olympic classes (two gold medals in the European Championship in the Soling class), but also brought up a huge number of high-class yachtsmen who are able to win at the highest level regattas. Undoubtedly, the experience in preparing the crew for the Gold Cup will bring tangible benefits to SSL Team Ukraine.
THE YOUTH FACTOR
Young yachtsmen always adequately represent Ukraine in the international arena. Alexander Izarov, Yulia Kiseleva, Ekaterina Gumenko, Oscar Madonich, are amongst the list of yachtsmen who have won medals at the World and European Championships in children’s and youth classes. And some of them are already included in the SSL Team Ukraine according to the SSL rating.
