Bermuda’s sailors came up just short of making it into the Star Sailors Gold Cup in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

Despite crossing the line first in two of the five Pan American qualifying group races, Team Bermuda were denied a direct spot in the Gold Cup, which was awarded to the group winners, on countback after finishing tied with Cuba on 18 points.

That meant Bermuda went into a final play-off race against Mexico, Puerto Rico and Antigua and Barbuda with only the victorious crew heading into the last 32 of the Gold Cup.

For much of the race it appeared as if Bermuda had of chance of winning the final ticket into sailing’s equivalent of the World Cup, as they went toe to toe with Antigua for much of the contest. But it was the boat from the Caribbean, affectionately called the “Rum Runners”, who pulled away on the final downwind leg for victory.

Defeat was tough to take for the Bermudians but they were still proud of their performances over four days of action in Guanabara Bay.

“Over the last ten days of training and racing we’ve worked really hard together as a team to learn the boat together and the small details to make the boat go faster,” said Ruairi Brown, a member of the Bermuda crew.

“We’ve grown every day to be better and better but it is a very shifty racecourse out her and some days you get blindsided and some days you come out on top, but it’s a game of snakes and ladders.

“We’ve all really enjoyed sailing together as a team and representing Bermuda. It was a huge honour for us but ultimately we’re sorry we couldn’t quite achieve our ultimate goal. But we were right in the mix and very close to qualifying. It just wasn’t our time.”

Captain Rockal Evans brought together the best of Bermuda for the competition and was filled with mixed emotions as the Gold Cup journey came to an end.

“It was frustrating as a team getting so close to our goal and sailing so well among the best but it’s a sport, it’s highly competitive and that’s the way it goes sometimes,” he said.

“The value of the experience for all of those on board, especially the youngsters coming into the keelboats is huge and will transfer down to the next teams and the next boats. We’ll leave notes and keep moving forward as a team.

“Ultimately I’m very proud of everyone on board and all of us are very proud to represent Bermuda as always.”