Match racing, Umpire Seminars and Christmas in June at Ficker Cup
by Jodi Unruh and Associates, LLC on 13 Jun 2009
Brian Angel (l) accepts the Ficker Cup from trophy namesake Bill Ficker (r) in the 2008 Ficker Cup Rick Roberts
You might notice the yacht glowing Thursday night along the Long Dock at the Long Beach Yacht Club, http://www.lbyc.org or the streamlined yachts racing across the water Friday morning for the prestigious Ficker Cup.
As one of the sponsors, St. Nicks Holiday and Event Lighting is adding some holiday magic to this weekend’s event.
The other Catalina 37’s will be seen ripping across the water this weekend as sailors vie for the coveted title of the Ficker Cup, where the winner moves on to the Congressional Cup. You’ll also see small power boats zipping closely behind each flight with umpires from the International Sailing Federation, http://www.sailing.org , onboard shouting out commands for each play.
The Chief International Umpire, Kirk Brown says, 'It’s a lot like playing a game of chess on water because they need to anticipate the sailor’s next move before it happens.' He says this elite group of men and women from around the world will have to make sure that they are in the right place at the right time to make the correct calls.
Event: Ficker Cup and International Umpire Training Seminar
When: June 12, 13th and 14th
Time: Water action starts at 11:30 am
Where: Long Beach Yacht Club
* This year’s Ficker Cup will also feature an International Umpire Training Seminar with men and women from around the world.
* This is the 4th time ever that the International Sailing Federation has held a training seminar like this in the U.S.
* Men and women from China, New Zealand and across the US will strive to complete this rigorous training seminar in hopes of taking their 'national' umpire certification to the 'international' level.
* The Public can view the yacht racing at the end of the Belmont Pier.
* The Chief Umpire, Kirk Brown, will be available for interviews before 10:00 am and after the last race of the day. He will hold a briefing with the Umpires at 10:30 am and then start on the water training at 11:30 am when the match racing competition begins.
* Bill Ficker, a former winner of the American Cup and the Congressional Cup will also present the winners of this year’s Ficker Cup with their awards around 4pm on Sunday.
The winner of the Ficker Cup will advance to the Congressional Cup to compete against professional sailors next March at the Long Beach Yacht Club.
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