long beach yacht club congressional cup

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24-28 APRIL 2024

The congressional cup regatta, host venue long beach yacht club california (ca), usa.

The Congressional Cup is recognized as the ‘granddaddy’ of modern world-class match racing: the premier and longest running event of its kind in North America.

Founded by Long Beach Yacht Club in 1965, the Congressional Cup set the standard for top-level match racing worldwide, and pioneered the concept of on-the-water umpiring.

Each year, the world’s top-ranked sailors return to Long Beach, Calif. to compete in this rousing five-day regatta, vying for the prestigious Congressional Cup trophy and the Crimson Blazer.

What The Masters Green Jacket is to pro golfing, the Crimson Blazer is to yacht racing. Often referred to as the gateway to America’s Cup, many AC skippers have cut their teeth on the Congressional Cup: including Ted Turner, Dennis Conner, Ed Baird, Dean Barker, Taylor Canfield, James Spithill, Paul Cayard, Francesco Bruni, and the like.

Most refer to the Congressional Cup as their favorite regatta of the year, due to the high level of competition and warm hospitality, alike. The event is hosted by a legion of 300 member volunteers; and April 3 to 7 LBYC will again put out the red carpet for these sailors, with the 55th running of the Congressional Cup.

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Long Beach Yacht Club

6201 E. Appian Way  |  Long Beach, CA 90803

P: (562) 294-5161

[email protected]   |  www.lbyc.org

2024 SKIPPERS

2024 Congressional Cup Skippers:

• Chris Poole (35, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA) / Riptide Racing World No. 1 Open Match Race Rankings Crew: Joachim Aschenbrenner, Bernardo Freitas, Mal Parker, Luke Payne, Harry West
• Johnie Berntsson (51, Stenungsund, Sweden)/ Berntsson Sailing Team World No. 3 Open Match Race Rankings Crew: Filip Karlsson, Herman Andersson, Fredrik Langström, Erik Malmberg, Jesper Stålheim
• Eric Monnin (48, Immensee, Switzerland)/ Capvis Swiss Match Racing World No. 2 Open Match Race Rankings Crew: Simon Brügger, Marc Monnin, Julien Falxa, Ute Monnin-Wagner, Mathieü Renault
• Jeppe Borch (26, Copenhagen, Denmark)/ Borch Racing World No. 5 Open Match Race Rankings Crew: Thor Malthe Andersen, Mathias Rossing, Gustav Wantzin, August de la Cour, Sebastien Pieters
• Nick Egnot-Johnson (25, Auckland, New Zealand)/ KNOTS Racing World No. 10 Open Match Race Rankings Crew: Sam Barnett, Zak Merton, Alastair Gifford, Taylor Balogh
• Ian Williams (46, Lymington, England)/ Gladstone’s Long Beach World No. 11 Open Match Race Rankings Crew: Richard Sydenham, Gerry Mitchell, Ricky McGarvie, Ted Hackney, Oisin Mclelland
• Gavin Brady (50, Auckland, New Zealand)/ True Blue Racing USA World No. 15 Open Match Race Rankings Crew: Chris Cowan, Harry Hall, Ryan Houston, Chris Larson, Joshua Wijohn
• Rocco Attili (27, Rome, Italy)/ RBYS World No. 6 Open Match Race Rankings Crew: Alberto Corneli, Andres Guerra, Edoardo Mancinelli Scotti, Luc Camilli Meletani, Gianluca Perasole, Ludovico Mori
• Dave Hood (Long Beach, USA)/ DH3 Racing World No. 38 Open Match Race Rankings Crew: Nick Blackman, Chris Main, Chris Steele, Steve Natvig, Will Tiller

Plus the top three skippers from the 2024 Ficker Cup, 19-21 Apri l

World Sailing Rankings at 1 April 2024

2024 RESULTS

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The Ficker Cup Leads Into Long Beach Yacht Club’s Congressional Cup

Sailing offers an immense array of participation options, with the one-on-one match-racing format being one of the most unique and challenging. The pinnacle of match racing has been the America’s Cup, but Long Beach Yacht Club’s (LBYC) Congressional Cup remains one of the most coveted prizes in match racing. The Congressional Cup is coming in April, preceded by the Ficker Cup, with both attracting a strong field of world-class match-racing competitors. Many America’s Cup skippers have also been Congressional Cup skippers and winners. Past Congressional Cup winners include Dennis Connor, Bill Ficker, Gerry Driscoll, Rod Davis, Dean Barker, Taylor Canfield and many more.

The Ficker Cup was introduced in 1980 to honor Bill Ficker, a legendary yachtsman, Star Class world champion, and America’s Cup and Congressional Cup victor. This year, the three leading finishers in the Ficker Cup will qualify for an invitation to the Congressional Cup, where they will face off against nine other top-ranked match-racing skippers in five days of fiery competition.

Long Beach YC selected a field of eight skippers culled from the top male, female and youth skippers from around the globe to compete for the Ficker Cup. The competitors are Rocco Attili (ITA), Aurélien Pierroz (FRA), Megan Thomson (NZL), St. Francis Yacht Club member Nicole Breault (USA), Cole Tapper (AUS), Peter Wickwire (CAN), Long Beach Yacht Club’s Dave Hood (USA) and Scott Dickson (USA).

2024 Ficker Cup Regatta Chair Steve Meyer commented, “Thomson took second in the 2023 Ficker Cup and made her Congressional Cup debut last year, followed by a stunning third-place finish in the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) Finals in December. Breault earned her Ficker Cup berth by winning the 2023 California Dreamin’ Series, and is a three-time Ficker Cup veteran. Hood qualified for Ficker Cup with a victory in the 2023 Butler Cup, and already has an invitation to the Congressional Cup. His credentials are just as impressive off the water as on; he is a senior staff commodore at LBYC. And Dickson, although he hasn’t been active on the match-racing circuit in recent years, has won more Ficker Cup trophies than any other skipper in history. You will see some of the best sailing talent once again coming to Long Beach, California, for our renowned match-racing events!”

Between the Ficker Cup and Congressional Cup events, 13 of the world’s top 20 match-racing skippers will be onsite at LBYC this April. This profusion of sailing talent promises excitement for participants and spectators alike, as the teams compete in the thrilling game of match racing held directly off Long Beach’s Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier.

Ficker Cup racing begins Friday, April 19, and continues through Sunday, April 21, with matches from noon until 5 p.m. daily. The Congressional Cup follows shortly after, with racing April 24 to 28.

For more information go to https://thecongressionalcup.com/ficker-cup . For details on the World Match Racing Tour visit  https://wmrt.com .

Learn more about Nicole Breault and match racing when you tune in to Episode #80 of our Good Jibes Sailing Podcast.

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Published on April 22nd, 2023 | by Editor

Chris Poole wins Congressional Cup

Published on April 22nd, 2023 by Editor -->

Long Beach, CA (April 22, 2023) – Chris Poole (USA) and Riptide Racing have swept the Long Beach Yacht Club Congressional Cup, sailing undefeated in five days of competition. Jeppe Borch (DEN) finished second, Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL) third.

The Congressional Cup – a Grade One match race and World Match Racing Tour event, hosted annually by Long Beach Yacht Club since 1965 – wrapped up today in the waters off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier.

For decades the most talented sailors from around the globe have convened to compete in this prestigious match race regatta. And no-one can recall a time in history that any skipper has won every single match. Until now.

“I’m still in disbelief that we sailed the perfect regatta: I don’t think it gets any better than that,” said Poole, who claimed victory in his fifth attempt at the Congressional Cup trophy. “To be a part of the winner’s circle of this event, at this club, is an incredible honor. It’s the only Grade One in the U.S. and one of the most historic match races in the world.”

Sailing with Poole in the Catalina 37s, under the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club burgee, were Matt Cornwell, Luke Payne, Malcolm Parker, Bernardo Freitas, and tactician Joachim Aschenbrenner.

World Sailing ranks Poole as the number one match racing skipper in the world. But a Congressional Cup title has evaded him in a decade of trying. Poole first arrived at LBYC in 2013 where he finished seventh in the Ficker Cup. He was remembered by some as an over-eager, even abrasive, 24-year-old.

“When he first came to LBYC he would yell and scream at everybody,” chuckled Bob Piercy, Chairman of the 2023 Congressional Cup. “I’ve watched Chris mature over the years to where he is now: so polite, cool and collected. It’s been a treat to watch that evolve.

“And this whole season, almost everywhere he went, he seemed to be coming out on top. As the 2022 winner of the Grand Slam series, his was my first invitation to the 2023 Congressional Cup. I got the letter out that evening: my only regret was I didn’t get to hand it to him in person. And now this result: it’s amazing!”

In fact Long Beach Yacht Club and Congressional Cup take some pride in Poole’s metamorphosis. This event is more family and fraternity, than callous rivalry.

“I’ve definitely enjoyed this journey, from my first Ficker Cup 10 years ago,” Poole said. “And 2019 was a pivotal year for me, a big shift and a big evolution, and that has kept progressing.”

Finishing third in 2022, he vowed to return to ‘finish what they started last year,’ adding, “I would love to have a Crimson Blazer,” – an icon similar to the green jacket at The Masters.

Donning that sport coat at the prizegiving, to a standing ovation, Poole choked up. “To sail a perfect regatta, and at this event, is truly a moment that will stay with me for the rest of my life. It’s a humbling experience.“

At this high level of competition, it’s nearly unheard of to have one team dominate the entire event.

“This was just a phenomenal effort by Chris Poole and Riptide Racing,” said James Pleasance, Executive Director of the World Match Racing Tour. “He’s been working on this tour a number of years and done a load of events, getting better and better.

“I’m so pleased for him to get a win of a tour event, in his home country, and one as prestigious as the Congressional Cup. And to go undefeated the whole way through is a testament to his work, his crew’s work, and everything he’s put into this: the effort and time and travel. What an amazing achievement!”

Today’s racing took place after a two-hour postponement, with the first match commencing in six knots of wind from the southwest. The breeze was light but not the action.

Egnot-Johnson had slipped into the semifinals in a tiebreaker with Eric Monnin (SUI) and bowed to Borch in yesterday’s semis. Squaring off against Ian Williams (GBR) in today’s first match of the petit final, Egnot-Johnson trailed Williams around the course. Splitting on the downwind leg, they approached the finish line on opposite boards. Out of the blue came the Kiwis, sailing a hotter angle, to capture the first win. They would see victory in the second match as well, to secure bronze in the 2023 Congressional Cup.

Poole and Borch’s matches started fiery as well. Within seconds of entering the box Poole had a protest on Borch. Spinnakers up and down, picking their way through the spectator fleet … Poole was off the line precisely with Borch astern. Poole took the first match with seeming ease.

In the second match Borch returned the favor, delivering Poole a penalty in the prestart. It was immaterial. Riptide Racing was smoother, faster, higher, from pole to pole. Between races the teams had even swapped boats to guarantee evenness. Poole dispensed swift justice in all three matches to take the victory in the final.

“It’s been a great week for us and the boys have showed they can really be at the top level of the sport,” said 25-year-old Borch, whose second-place finish in his second Congressional Cup appearance was impressive.

“Chris Poole and his team were amazing: they had the speed, they had the tactics, and we just didn’t have an answer for them today. But that’s why we’re here, to get beaten sometimes so we can learn a thing or two and then we can come back stronger.”

Third place Egnot-Johnson declared, “What an amazing feeling it is to make it on the podium! This has been a most amazing week for us; we are so stoked to be here.”

As a traditional consolation event for the six teams who didn’t make the semifinals LBYC holds a fleet race: a scenic sail around Long Beach harbor, with prize money at the end. In light zephyrs and bright sunshine, with Lionel Ritchie warbling from speakers on the pier where hundreds of spectators had gathered, Eric Monnin (SUI) graced across the finish line of that race with a handsome lead. Megan Thomson (NZL) and Johnie Berntsson (SWE) followed second and third.

As much as the world-class competition and dedication to race management is the hallmark of Congressional Cup, the event is not just about the on-the-water matches. It’s the venue. It’s the yacht club. It’s the people.

An army of over 300 volunteers pitch in to make the Congressional Cup a success each year. “My job is easy because of all the volunteers who so generously donate their time, year after year, to make this one of the most remarkable, sought-after events on the circuit,” said Piercy.

Congressional Cup is like an all-inclusive vacation (with the addition of competition) for sailors. LBYC club members accommodate racers and officials in their homes. Meals, transport and encouragement are provided, friendships form. It’s a holistic approach to the sport, from post-race massages to family-style dinners to the Junior Congressional Cup: which pairs up LBYC Junior sailors with Congressional Cup skippers for fun but serious CFJ racing on the bay. The warmth and welcome are legendary.

“LBYC has been fantastic as usual,” added Poole. “Everyone loves to race here: the conditions are phenomenal and the hospitality, parties, are second to none. We have never come here and not had a great time.”

Harry Price (AUS) even gave a shout-out to ‘Larry the Bagel guy’ – one of the servers at the breakfast buffet offered each morning. It is a home-away-from-home for the participants who come each year, making it the most coveted regatta in the world.

Event information – Results – Facebook

The Congressional Cup on April 18-22 was the opening event of the 2023 World Match Racing Tour .

Founded in 2000, the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) promotes the sport of match racing around the world and is the longest running global professional series in the sport of sailing.

The WMRT is awarded ‘Special Event’ status by the sport’s world governing body – World Sailing – and the winner of the WMRT each year is crowned World Sailing Match Racing World Champion.

Previous champions include Sir Ben Ainslie (GBR), Taylor Canfield (USA), Peter Gilmour (AUS), Magnus Holmberg (SWE), Peter Holmberg (ISV), Adam Minoprio (NZL), Torvar Mirsky (AUS), Bertrand Pace (FRA), Jesper Radich (DEN), Phil Robertson (NZL) and Ian Williams (GBR).

Since 2000, the World Match Racing Tour and its events have awarded over USD23million in prize money to sailors which has helped to contribute to the career pathway of many of today’s professional sailors. www.wmrt.com

Tags: Chris Poole , Congressional Cup , World Match Racing Tour

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News | Long Beach Yacht Club announces 9 of 12…

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News | Long Beach Yacht Club announces 9 of 12 skippers for 2024 Congressional Cup

The Congressional Cup, which organizers call the “granddaddy of match racing” regattas, will return to Long Beach for its 59th iteration from April 24 to 28, with 12 teams, rather than the traditional 10, sailing in the waters off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, which is also known as “Congressional Cup Stadium.”

The Long Beach Yacht Club, which hosts the annual competition, announced nine of the 12 skippers who will participate in the Congressional Cup earlier this month. The final spots will go to the top three finishers of the Ficker Cup regatta, which will take in Long Beach the week before the Congressional. That means one-fourth of skippers will need to sail their way into a spot by making the podium during the Ficker Cup.

Skipper Chris Poole will look to defend his Congressional Cup title in April. The Long Beach Yacht Club recently announced Poole and eight other skippers who will race this year. Three other skippers must still qualify. This April 22, 2023, file photo shows Jeppe Borch’s team facing Poole’s off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier. (File photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

The Long Beach Yacht Club recently announced nine of the 12 skippers who will race in this year’s Congressional Cup. This April 18 file photo shows rans watching day 1 of the round-robin portion of the 2023 competition. (File photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

The Long Beach Yacht Club recently announced none of the 12 skippers who will compete in this year’s Congressional Cup. The final three must qualify by making hte podium during the Ficker Cup, which will take place the week before. This April 14 file photo shows the first round-robin match of the 2023 Ficker Cup. (File photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

As usual, the top international match race sailors will compete to don the crimson blazer, given to the Congressional Cup winning in much the way the winner of the Masters golf tournament gets the Green Jacket.

The 2024 roster will include:

• Defending champion Chris Poole (USA) .
• Five-time Congressional Cup winner Ian Williams (GBR), who was recently crowned the Match Racing World Champion for the seventh time.
• Four-time Congressional Cup winner Gavin Brady (USA), returning after 12 years.
• 2009 Congressional Cup winner Johnie Berntsson (SWE).
• LBYC Staff Commodore Dave Hood (USA).

Rounding out the field will be Eric Monnin (SUI), Jeppe Borch (DEN), Mati Sepp (EST) and Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL).

While the Congressional Cup has always been popular among competitive sailors, it seems to have only grown in esteem in recent years, according to regatta Chairperson Tony Mansour.

“Sailing, and match racing specifically, has enjoyed a brilliant recovery coming out of COVID as the sport continues to grow rapidly,” Mansour said. “Congressional Cup is always well-subscribed but, in some years, nearly all of the top 20-30 skippers and teams are requesting an invitation to compete.”

While demand fluctuates based on global factors, Mansour said, LBYC tries to maximize the number of skippers that will compete in the years that see strong demand in order to enhance the experience for LBYC members and the general sailing community.

This is the fourth time the Congressional Cup has hosted 12 skippers, with 2015, 2016 and 2017 being the other editions opting for a dozen. The remaining 55 regattas had 10 entries.

The Long Beach Sailing Foundation’s fleet of 11 equally matched Catalina 37s will be used for the Congressional Cup. Traditionally, 10 are used for racing each day, with the 11th used as a repair or spare. With 12 teams racing, two teams will have to wait their turn to use the yachts.

The Congressional Cup will see the sailors compete in a single round-robin format starting on April 24, with racing beginning at 11:30 a.m. each day off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, said Wendy Corzine, Congressional Cup 2024’s principal race officer.

The top teams will then compete in the quarterfinals and semifinals during the week, with the finals and petite-finals taking place on April 28.

The Congressional Cup is the oldest continuously held sailing match-race regatta in the world — and the only one in the United States to qualify for World Championship status from the World Sailing organization.

While it can vary based on venue, weather and boats provided, most events on the World Match Racing Tour run similar formats to the Congressional Cup, with 10 to 12 teams competing over five days, James Pleasance, World Match Racing Tour’s executive director, said in an email.

The Congressional Cup takes place off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, where spectators can enjoy live commentary for free. The event will also be livestreamed starting Friday, April 26.

Editor’s note: Jo Murray is a member of and the historian for the Long Beach Yacht Club.

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Grunion Sports | On the Water: Here’s what you need to…

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Grunion sports, grunion sports | on the water: here’s what you need to know about the 2023 congressional cup.

The Congressional Cup is a regatta founded by the Long Beach Yacht Club in 1965. It is now known as the “grandfather” of match racing.

Here’s everything you need to know about the event.

Pier viewing

Thursday, April 20, marks the third day of racing off Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier.

The competition includes a double round robin — during which each of the 10 teams race one another twice. After Thursday’s racing, organizers expect the leaders will advance into the semifinals and petit finals, starting on Friday, and culminating with the final matches and trophy presentation on Saturday, April 22.

Viewing is free. The best place to watch the Congressional Cup is at the grandstands set up at the pier. Paid parking is available adjacent to the pier and there are free golf cart shuttles.

Racing starts at roughly 11:30 a.m. each day. The results are updated onlin at matchracingresults.com .

“To aid enjoyment and understanding even more,” said regatta Chairperson Bob Piercy, “the Congressional Cup races are announced by a team of professional commentators, who describe the wily ways the rivals, racing one-on-one, battle skills and strategy on the water.”

Match racing is a test of a team’s skill — and the playing field is level, since the boats are all the same.

“Congressional Cup’s custom-designed and equally matched fleet of Catalina 37 keelboats have proven superior maneuverability,” Piercy said, “lending to the cat-and-mouse pre-race excitement that has made match racing one of the most thrilling and spectator-friendly forms of competitive sailing.”

The Long Beach Sailing Foundation (trustees of the fleet) maintains them to an exacting, identical standard in all performance areas: weight, equipment, rig tuning and sails. To additionally ensure fairness, each day the skippers use a different boat on a planned rotation.

The skippers

The skippers leading the 10 crews this year are: defending champion Ian Williams (GBR), Christopher Poole (USA), Jeppe Borch (DEN), Eric Monnin (SUI), Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL), Dave Hood (USA), Johnie Berntsson (SWE), Harry Price (AUS), Chris Weis (USA) and Megan Thomson (NZL) — the latter two having sailed their way into the regatta by being the top-two finishers of this year’s Ficker Cup.

Match racing

One of the most exciting parts of match racing is the prestart, called the “dial up.”

Much like earning the pole position in NASCAR, the dial up determines who has the favored position for that race. The dial up is when two skippers match wits in a 5-minute “dance” immediately preceding the start of their race.

Picture an imaginary box on the water. The pier is the bottom, the starting line is the top. The dial up starts with the skippers entering the area from each side of the box. The goal is to get the best spot/wind and be as close to the starting line without going over when the starting horn sounds. Each skipper tries to earn this spot while pushing their opponent into a bad position or — better yet — luring them to commit a foul.

Umpires follow each pair of yachts in small power boats. They call fouls immediately by raising colored flags. Skippers will sail directly at each other, going head-to-head in a breathtaking game of “chicken,” or sail right up to the starting line and then almost sail backward trying to hold their position.

These skippers are so skilled at moving the Catalina 37s that the pre-race falls into an intricate game of cat and mouse, with keel boats coming within inches of colliding into each other or being pushed into the pier. At the end of this five-minute pre-start chess match, the horn sounds and the race begins – two laps out to a buoy and back, finishing at the pier.

The next pair starts their dial-up one minute after the last group starts racing — making for nonstop excitement.

Junior racing

On Friday, April 21, the Jr. Congressional Cup fleet race will take place, starting and finishing right off the long dock in Alamitos Bay. Ten Long Beach Yacht Club junior sailors will be randomly paired with the 10 Congressional Cup skippers — with the juniors helming and the pros crewing. Public viewing is available from the sidewalk in front of the LBYC.

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Match Racing Results Service 58th Congressional Cup

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The 58th Congressional Cup will be contested at Long Beach Yacht Club from 18th–22nd April 2023. This world renowned event is recognised as the ‘granddaddy’ of modern world-class match racing: the premier and longest running event of its kind in North America. More info and live streaming on facebook .

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The Congressional Cup

The Congressional Cup is an annual match racing regatta presented by the Long Beach Yacht Club. This prestigious and thrilling yacht race takes place at the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, April 24-28, 2024.

What is The Congressional Cup?

The Congressional Cup is a premier event and a part of the prestigious World Match Racing Tour . The oldest continuously-held sailing match race regatta in the world, The Congressional Cup is the only match race regatta in the United States to qualify for World Championship status from World Sailing. Match racing is a sailing race in which identical boats race against one another. Since 1965, the world’s top ranked skippers have come here to compete for the Crimson Blazer, yacht racing’s equivalent to the Masters golf tournament’s Green Jacket. Not only is this one of the most prestigious yacht racing events in the world, but a gateway to the America’s Cup . Past Congressional Cup winners include the likes of such America’s Cup legends as Dennis Connor and Ted Turner. The 2024 event features many compelling storylines. Great Britain’s Ian Williams is looking to win his sixth Crimson Blazer in 2024, which would give him more Cup championships than any skipper in history. Attempting to beat him and join him as a five-time champion is American Gavin Brady who, after a 12-year hiatus, is back in the race, having won four times (1996, 1997, 2006, 2008).

How Do I Watch?

Locals can enjoy stadium viewing of the Congressional Cup for free at the Belmont Veteran Memorial Pier, designated “Congressional Cup Stadium,” with live commentary, starting Wednesday, April 24. Live results are also available online. For live streaming footage of The Congressional Cup on Friday through Sunday, tune in on Facebook and YouTube .

Transportation & Parking

Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the Belmont Veteran Memorial Pier at 3998E Allin Street. This self service lot rate is $2 per hour, cash and credit cards accepted. The nearest Long Beach Transit bus stop is at Ocean Boulevard and 38th Place, a short walk from the pier. Biking is also a convenient option, with bike parking available at the shore end of the pier.

Where to Stay

Long Beach offers an array of ideally located and relaxingly comfortable accommodations — just what you need after a day of non-stop action on the water.

Nearby Restaurants

2ND & PCH SHOPPING CENTER

6480 E. Pacific Coast Hwy, Suite 160 Long Beach, California 90803 (424) 217-2337 Website

2ND & PCH SHOPPING CENTER 6480 E. Pacific Coast Hwy, Suite 160 Long Beach, California 90803

BEACHWOOD BREWING 2ND & PCH

6430 E PACIFIC COAST HWY, SUITE 140 LONG BEACH, California 90803 Website

BEACHWOOD BREWING 2ND & PCH 6430 E PACIFIC COAST HWY, SUITE 140 LONG BEACH, California 90803

BREAKFAST REPUBLIC

5313 2nd St, A Long Beach, California 90802 (562) 512-7764 Website

BREAKFAST REPUBLIC 5313 2nd St, A Long Beach, California 90802

BROKEN SPIRITS DISTILLERY

300 THE PROMENADE NORTH LONG BEACH, California 90015 Website

BROKEN SPIRITS DISTILLERY 300 THE PROMENADE NORTH LONG BEACH, California 90015

4716 2ND STREET LONG BEACH, California 90803 (562) 285-3142 Website

COLOSSUS 4716 2ND STREET LONG BEACH, California 90803

DOMENICO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

5339 E 2nd St. Long Beach, California 90803 (562) 743-9133 Website

DOMENICO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT 5339 E 2nd St. Long Beach, California 90803

FOODOLOGIE BAKED GOODS

195 CLAREMONT AVE LONG BEACH, California 90803 (562) 523-0816 Website

FOODOLOGIE BAKED GOODS 195 CLAREMONT AVE LONG BEACH, California 90803

GEORGES GREEK CAFÉ ‑2nd STREET

5316 E. 2nd Street Long Beach, California 90803 (562) 433-1755 Website

GEORGES GREEK CAFÉ -2nd STREET 5316 E. 2nd Street Long Beach, California 90803

HOLEY GRAIL DONUTS

2ND STREET LONG BEACH, California 90803 (914) 602-1059 Website Find A Room

HOLEY GRAIL DONUTS 2ND STREET LONG BEACH, California 90803

LEGENDS SPORTS BAR

5236 East Second Street Long Beach, California 90803 (562) 433-5743 Website

LEGENDS SPORTS BAR 5236 East Second Street Long Beach, California 90803

LONG BEACH TAP HOUSE

5110 East 2nd Street Long Beach, California 90803 (562) 343-1817 Website

LONG BEACH TAP HOUSE 5110 East 2nd Street Long Beach, California 90803

MICHAEL’S ON NAPLES RISTORANTE’

5620 East 2nd Street Long Beach, California 90803 (562) 439-7080 Website

MICHAEL'S ON NAPLES RISTORANTE' 5620 East 2nd Street Long Beach, California 90803

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Long Beach Yacht Club announces lineup for 2023 Congressional Cup

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Prepare for the 59th Congressional Cup

LONG BEACH— The world’s top-match racing skippers will return to Long Beach from April 24 – 28 for the 59th Congressional Cup regatta, a premier event on the prestigious World Match Racing Tour, presented by Long Beach Yacht Club.

The 2024 Congressional Cup promises action and excitement. Defending champion Chris Poole (USA) will lead the line-up of competitors, including four-time Congressional Cup winner Gavin Brady (USA), who returns after a 12-year hiatus.

The Congressional Cup has a rich history dating to its inaugural edition in 1965. Over the years, it has become a key event in the match-racing calendar, attracting skilled sailors and sailing enthusiasts alike. The competition follows a round-robin format, in which each team competes against every other team before the top teams advance to the knockout stages.

“The Congressional Cup is the grandfather of match racing and brings world class sailing talent to Long Beach Yacht Club each year,” said Tony Mansour, 2024 Congressional Cup Chair, in a statement. “This year we literally have all of the highest-ranked skippers in the world flying into beautiful Long Beach, Calif. to compete for the distinct honor of the Crimson Blazer.”

Also on the roster are the top 10 ranked match-racing skippers, including 2009 Congressional Cup winner Johnie Berntsson (SWE), Jeppe Borch (DEN), Eric Monnin (SUI), Mati Sepp (EST), and Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL), plus Dave Hood (USA). The two final contenders will advance from the Ficker Cup Regatta held the prior week, April 19 to 21.

During the five-day racing event, teams will compete using a fleet of uniform 37-foot Catalina keelboats, ensuring a level playing field. The essence of the game lies in strategy and skill, with crews facing off in a double-round robin format and navigating the course in intense battles. Spectators can witness the action directly from the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier.

In 1965, the Long Beach Yacht Club (LBYC) introduced the Congressional Cup, revolutionizing match racing and leading the way in on-the-water umpiring innovation. With the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) launch in 2000, the Congressional Cup solidified its position as a premier event. The executive director of WMRT, James Pleasance, expressed excitement about the enduring and successful partnership with LBYC. As a founding event, the Congressional Cup has firmly established itself on the international match-racing calendar. It stands as a coveted competition for aspiring match-racing champions, allowing them to join the distinguished list of past winners.

Poole noted, “The Congressional Cup is one of the most difficult events to get into and even more difficult to win. The who’s who of yacht racing have all competed for a Crimson Blazer and a chance to put their name on the Congressional Cup. That is why I’ve worked so hard to get here, to compete against the best on a level playing field.”

Poole debuted on the Long Beach race course in 2013 and consistently climbed the leaderboard, culminating in an undefeated performance in every match at the 2023 event. Reflecting on his approach to sailing and match racing, Poole emphasized the mindset of never doubting his ability to compete with his sailing heroes. He steadfastly believed in his potential to be among the world’s top sailors through continuous dedication to improvement. Poole highlighted the significance of mental focus and self-criticism in a sport that rewards those striving to surpass their previous achievements.

The Congressional Cup kicks off on April 23 with a practice day and dinner, offering an introduction to the skippers and crews. Then five days of intense racing unfold, accompanied by nightly press conferences and social gatherings hosted at LBYC. The competition takes place off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier. Additionally, starting on April 26, the event will be live-streamed for those unable to witness the action in person.

LBYC has earned a reputation for exceptional hospitality and organizational prowess, leveraging the dedication and enthusiasm of over 300 member volunteers annually to orchestrate this globally acclaimed event. Since 1965, the club has been the venue where skippers converge to vie for the Congressional Cup and the revered Crimson Blazer. Much like the Green Jacket at the Masters Tournament in golf, the Crimson Blazer symbolizes triumph in one of the most distinguished yacht racing events worldwide, serving as a gateway to the America’s Cup.

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Long Beach Yacht Club is ramping up for Congressional Cup 2022 with an all-star lineup including more than half of the world’s top-ranked match racing skippers! Kicking off the 2022 World Match Racing Tour, this legendary Grade 1 sailing event will take place April 18 to 23, 2022 in the waters of Long Beach, Calif.

Founded in 1965, after more than five decades the Congressional Cup remains a magnet for the world’s finest skippers and crews. Ten teams from five different nations will be vying for the Cup, in five days of heated match racing that begin April 19, after a practice day April 18.

“On this occasion of the 57th Congressional Cup, LBYC and the worldwide sailing community salute and thank the visionaries who created ‘the Grandfather of Modern Match Racing,'” announced 2022 Chair Lisa Meier. “The Congressional Cup is the oldest continuously held match race event in the world. This regatta pioneered the concept of on-the-water umpiring and set the standard for top-level match racing. And the list of past winners reads like a Who’s Who of America’s Cup champions!” Meier continued. “The establishment of the Congressional Cup markedly influenced the long-term nature and focus of LBYC: truly, the exquisite hand-etched silver cup and the prestige it represents has become what founder Bill Dalessi and the LBYC Board envisioned: ‘a most highly sought-after trophy by the yachting fraternity.'”

Sailors agree!

“We cannot get enough of this event: we are looking forward to another one!” declared Taylor Canfield (USA) who returns with Team Stars+StripesUSA to defend their championship title. Canfield’s five-win record (2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021) makes him the most triumphant skipper in Congressional Cup history.

Eager to knock him off his throne will be Ian Williams (GBR), returning after sitting out last year due to pandemic travel complications. “We are really excited to return after three long years’ absence!” exclaimed Williams, whose stellar record includes four bullets (2011, 2012, 2017, 2019) in 10 years of Congressional Cup racing. “The friendly reception we get from all the club members and staff at the LBYC make the Congressional Cup one of the highlights of our calendar,” he added. A unique combination of unparalleled hospitality alongside superior competition makes the Congressional Cup one of the most desirable events in the world.

But the rivalries don’t stop there. Last year’s runner-up Johnnie Berntsson (SWE) – 2009 champion – is eager to contend in his 14th Congressional Cup. Harry Price (AUS), Chris Poole (USA) and Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL) join the roster; plus two sailors making their Congressional Cup debuts, although they couldn’t be more dissimilar.

Pearson Potts (USA) steps up after two appearances at the Ficker Cup qualifier. The 29-year-old from New Orleans shares first-timer distinction with LBYC’s own Staff Commodore Dave Hood (USA), 64, who has two decades of racing on the Catalina 37 fleet: yet will vie for the Congressional Cup for the first time. The final two contestants will advance from the Ficker Cup – a challenging Grade 2 match race series in its own right and a WMRT event, to be held April 13 to 16, 2022 at LBYC.

This year’s Congressional Cup will also launch LBYC’s build-up to the 2028 Olympic Games and the important role the club will play. Congressional Cup Stadium, the racecourse situated off Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier at 39th Place and E. Ocean Blvd., will be re-dedicated Tuesday April 19, starting with breakfast at LBYC and a procession to the Pier. After ceremonies attended by local dignitaries, athletes, press and organizers, the action will begin!

Teams will commence the double round robin series Tuesday April 19 starting at noon, battling one-on-one aboard equalized one-design Catalina 37s keelboats. This format fuels excitement, as the players dial in the boats, tune in to conditions, and sharpen their skills. The rousing competition delights both racers and fans, who can watch the combat from the Belmont Pier.

Round robins continue through the week with semi-finals, petite finals and the final matches Friday and Saturday April 22 and 23. Only one skipper and team will reach the pinnacle, to win the Congressional Cup and don the coveted Crimson Blazer: yacht racing’s equivalent to the The Masters’ green jacket.

“As one of the founding events of the World Match Racing Tour, the Congressional Cup has always been one of the most sought-after events to win by match racing teams all over the world. We are delighted for the Congressional Cup to be the curtain raiser for the 2022 WMRT and look forward to joining everyone at LBYC again in April,” noted James Pleasance, WMRT Executive Director.

“We, at KNOTS Racing, are super excited to be making our second appearance at the LBYC Congressional Cup,” announced Egnot-Johnson, who finished fifth in the 2019 event. “We can’t wait to stack up against some of the world’s best match racing teams to see where we stand!”

Congressional Cup Chair Meier will be assisted by Principal Race Officer John Busch (USA); LBYC Yachting Director Cameron MacLaren, International Chief Umpire Russell Green (NZL), and nearly 300 volunteers from among the membership of LBYC.

For further information on the 57th Congressional Cup please visit

• Long Beach Yacht Club

Established in 1929, Long Beach Yacht Club is recognized as a leading club in the international yachting community for its commitment to excellence in yacht racing and innovation in race management. The club’s signature event, Congressional Cup – now in its 57th year – is the preeminent match racing regatta in the United States and considered the Gateway to the America’s Cup. In addition to hosting numerous local, national and international yachting events, the Club’s member families enjoy a year-round calendar of social, yachting, and junior activities at its beautiful clubhouse on the shore of Alamitos Bay.

World Match Racing Tour

Founded in 2000, the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) promotes the sport of match racing around the world and is the longest running global professional series in the sport of sailing. The WMRT is awarded ‘Special Event’ status by the sport’s world governing body – World Sailing – and the winner of the WMRT each year is crowned World Sailing Match Racing World Champion. Previous champions include Sir Ben Ainslie (GBR), Taylor Canfield (USA), Peter Gilmour (AUS), Magnus Holmberg (SWE), Peter Holmberg (ISV), Adam Minoprio (NZL), Torvar Mirsky (AUS), Bertrand Pace (FRA), Jesper Radich (DEN), Phil Robertson (NZL) and Ian Williams (GBR). Since 2000, the World Match Racing Tour and its events have awarded over USD23million in prize money to sailors which has helped to contribute to the career pathway of many of today’s professional sailors.

• Congressional Cup 2022

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