Bermuda coach Alex Gough is confident the island can qualify for the Star Sailors League Gold Cup at the second attempt.

The professional sailor believes the team has the pedigree, determination and mindset to achieve their objective with the support of the community behind them during next year’s qualifiers.

“I think the team can definitely qualify but they will need the help of the Bermudian people to give themselves the best chance,” Gough told The Royal Gazette.

“I think that there is a huge amount of potential within the team because they are young, hard working and very open minded to learn and try new things.”

Gough, who has competed in the RC44 and TP52 classes as well as the Sydney Hobart Race, Volvo Ocean Race and Newport to Bermuda Race, is relishing his new role after coming on board as interim coach to assist the local team last month.

“It feels great to be able to help the Bermuda team as they are a young and enthusiastic team,” he added.

The Australian’s first assignment with the Bermuda Star Sailing team was putting them through their paces during a five-day training camp in Grandson, Switzerland, shortly after being announced as coach.

“The objective was to train each sailor in their own area onboard with the specific skill needed for the SSL 44 boats, and to also teach them communication and how to sail together as a team,” Gough said.

“It was a huge success and I believe we achieved above our expectations for the training period.”

Team captain Rockal Evans, who was influential in acquiring Gough’s services, is equally delighted with the way the training exercise went.

“The training week went smoothly and the team completed all the objectives that was on the list,” he said. “Coach Alex gelled well with the entire squad and is happy to work with us in the future.

“I'm happy to say the week was an all-round success.”

Gough’s journey in the sport began in the 420 class before transitioning into larger keelboats and competing in offshore regattas.

He has enjoyed considerable success throughout his career which took off in 2018 when he competed with Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag in the Volvo Ocean Race.

It was in that race the Brisbane-born sailor and sailmaker went overboard in rough seas untethered and without a life jacket during a sail change on the Melbourne to Hong Kong leg before being rescued.

“It was a bit scary, but luckily the guys were on to it,” Gough said.

Such is the 30-year-old’s delight to be involved with Bermuda’s team that he has already expressed an interest in coaching them beyond his initial deal.

“I would love to continue working with the team for future events,” he added.

Gough is a big fan of the Star Sailing League Gold Cup, which features the top 56 countries selected on their SSL nation ranking and is designed to determine the world’s best sailing nation.

“It’s a great event that is providing another pathway for sailors to prove themselves on the world stage,” he said.

The international competition is contested in the one-design SSL 47 monohull and operated by a crew of nine.

“Great racing that pushes the sailors to their limit physically and mentally,” said Gough of the racing class.

Bermuda missed out on qualifying for last year’s inaugural Star Sailors League Gold Cup after being eliminated at the first-round qualifying regatta which was also held in Grandson, Switzerland.

The local team battled hard but were ultimately pipped by Tahiti for the second and final spot behind group favourites Antigua & Barbuda in the overall standings.

Peter Dill, Will Lorimer-Turner, Somers Kempe, Thomas Penruddocke, Michael Wollmann and Evans are the surviving members from last year’s team while Ruairi Brown, Aran McKittrick, Megan Sherwin and Jade Smith are the newcomers.