The Long Beach Yacht Club Congress Cup is a “go”

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The Long Beach Yacht Club Congress Cup is a “go”

by Betsy Crowfoot Sep 4 10:42 AM PDT
September 14-19, 2021

Congress Cup © Ian Roman / WMRT

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“We are T-minus two weeks and that counts! Said Chris Macy, President of the Long Beach Yacht Club (LBYC) Congress Cup, as the event approaches September 14-19, 2021.

Despite the last minute changes and protocol requirements, Macy revealed, “There’s a definite buzz at the Club: you can feel the energy and the excitement, that after two and a half years – it’s really happening! ”

What’s happening is the 56th Congress Cup: the most exciting and top-notch yacht race to take place on the American shores this year. The Grandfather of Match Racing Congress Cup was founded in 1965 by LBYC, where organizers revolutionized the game of match racing with umpiring on the water. The only first-class match race in the United States and a World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) championship event, the regatta takes place on a fleet of identical 37-foot Catalina keelboats, ensuring a consistent platform and a thrilling competition.

Last minute problems resulted in the withdrawal of defending champion Ian Williams (GBR), in addition to Phil Robertson (NZL) and Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL). In their place are Chris Poole (United States) – just after a victory in the Oakcliff International Regatta – and Dustin Durant (United States), three-time Congress Cup veteran and LBYC representative. The final places will be occupied by the leading trio of the Ficker Cup.

“It’s been crazy, with all the targets and moving parts: like musical chairs,” Macy admitted. “I’m a realist and I wasn’t going to force this event to happen. But under the current guidelines, we are allowed to continue – and the competitors are eager to come and run! That is what dictated our march in before, our perseverance and flexibility. ”

“And if I didn’t think we could put on a higher level of competition worthy of the Congress Cup, it wasn’t on par with the other esteemed champions engraved on this trophy, we wouldn’t keep it,” Macy continued. . In addition to Poole and Durant, he exclaimed, “Look who’s coming! We have Taylor Canfield (USA), four-time Congress Cup champion, and 2009 winner Johnie Berntsson (SWE). Three of the top 10 match racing skippers: Eric Monnin (SUI), Maxime Mesnil (FRA) and Chris Poole, as well as Sam Gilmour (AUS) who finished on the podium of the Congressional Cup 2018, and who is one of the favorites of the public. a great competition!

Matches begin Wednesday, September 15 after team registration, weigh-ins and a welcome celebration on September 14. Then the fun begins: five days of racing starting at 11:30 am straight off Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier. The format includes a Double Round Robin followed by semi-finals and small finals, with finals on Sunday, September 19.

In addition, on Saturday afternoon, referees, competitors and VIPs will team up aboard the Catalina 37s for a ‘Race to the Bar’. A fleet race on Sunday, with cash prizes, will offer sweet consolation to competitors who do not advance to the finals.

Spectators are invited to experience the thrill of the race from the Pier, located at 15 39th Place, Long Beach, California, where live commentary will be presented in a festive atmosphere. Or, enjoy the live stream of the race action on the official @CongressionalCup Facebook page.

Back at the Club at 6201 E. Appian Way, Long Beach, daily press conferences are scheduled for 5pm (approximately) with other great opportunities to hang out with the teams and members. “We’ve moved all the events outside, but September in California is beautiful, so why not? Macy added. All functions will take place on the pool deck or outside; in accordance with national and local guidelines, masks will be required inside the clubhouse.

But first, Ficker Cup

The Ficker Cup is a standout second-year match racing event in its own right, and also serves as a qualifier for the Congress Cup. Following a similar format, the races will run from Friday September 10 through Sunday September 12 in the waters off Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier starting at 11:30 am daily.

“We have a phenomenal lineup: seasoned returning sailors alongside new talent,” said Lisa Meier, President of the Ficker Cup. “We look forward to welcoming back Pearson Potts (US), Peter Holz (US) and Dave Hood (US), and to introduce newcomers Jeffrey Petersen (US), David Wood ( USA) and Emil Kjaer (DEN). These three youngsters are enthusiastic and prepared, having come together at the World Youth Match Racing Championships and the Governor’s Cup. ” Meier continued, “In addition, we have Pauline Courtois (FRA) – the world’s top ranked female match racing skipper – and Nicole Breault (USA), who just won her fourth US Women’s Match Racing Championship title: by excluding his opponents with 12 wins and 0 losses! ”

The competition will be fierce as riders compete for the Ficker Cup trophy and the podiums leading to the Congress Cup. For full information and results on the visit to the Ficker Cup www.lbyc.org

See all the details on the Congress Cup and the results at thecongressionalcup.com.

Visit wmrt.com for more details on the WMRT.

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