Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Lineup confirmed for 58th Congressional Cup

by Betsy Senescu 4 Feb 04:46 PST April 18-22, 2023
Congressional Cup © Betsy Senescu

The world's top match racing skippers will return to Long Beach, Calif. April 18 to 22, 2023 for the 58th Congressional Cup regatta - presented by Long Beach Yacht Club, and a founding event on the prestigious World Match Racing Tour.

Reigning 2022 Congressional Cup Champion Ian Williams (GBR) will return to defend his title and clinch the crown as the winningest skipper in Congressional Cup history. But it won't be without challenge! Rivals include the world's number-one ranked match racing skipper Eric Monnin (SUI): back after a 2022 'babymoon' hiatus. A perennial Congressional Cup favourite, in 2021 Monnin captured his first podium finish, and is poised to continue his ascent.

Also climbing the Congressional Cup ladder is Chris Poole (USA). Poole finished second in the 2022 WMRT championship, after a third-place finish in the Spring 2022 Congressional Cup - edging out past champion (2009) Johnie Berntsson (SWE), who is still eager to add another Crimson Blazer to his wardrobe.

The list goes on! The roster includes Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL) who was recently crowned 2022 World Sailing Match Racing World Champion and is ranked number three in the world; plus Harry Price (AUS), Jeppe Borch (DEN) and hometown favorite David Hood (USA) - all veterans of Congressional Cup racing.

Rounding out the Congressional Cup lineup will be the top two finishers in the April 13 to 15 Ficker Cup regatta. A Grade Two WMRT event in its own right, the Ficker Cup also serves as a qualifier for the Congressional Cup. The 2023 field is fiery, and competition promises to be thrilling when racing begins April 18.

Congressional Cup is recognized as the 'grandfather' of modern world-class match racing. Founded by Long Beach Yacht Club in 1965, the event set the standard for top-level match racing worldwide, pioneering the concept of on-the-water umpiring in a spectator-friendly venue.

After a practice day April 17, 2023, racing will commence April 18 off Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier at roughly 11:30 am each day. Five days of racing will see the sailors compete in a double-round robin format that gives competitors twice the chance to familiarize with the boats and conditions, and sharpen their skills. Famed for turning the leader board upside down, the 10-boat double-round robin format promises spirited contests as teams pair off and battle round the course: a delight to racers and spectators alike.

Matches are held directly off the pier where spectators can enjoy live commentary and camaraderie from roughly 11:30am to 5:00pm. After three days of round-robins the leaders will advance into semi-finals and petit finals, culminating with the final matches Saturday April 22, where the winner of the Congressional Cup will receive the coveted Crimson Blazer. The Crimson Blazer is yacht racing's equivalent to the Masters Tournament Green Jacket: a symbol of victory in one of the most prestigious yacht racing events in the world, and a gateway to the America's Cup.

Visit www.thecongressionalcup.com or @CongressionalCup on Facebook.

For complete information on the WMRT go to www.wmrt.com

Related Articles

2023 Congressional Cup lineup announced
Reigning champion Ian Williams (GBR) will return to defend his title The world's top match racing skippers will return to Long Beach, Calif. April 18 to 22, 2023 for the 58th Congressional Cup regatta - presented by Long Beach Yacht Club, and a premier event on the prestigious World Match Racing Tour. Posted on 2 Feb
Dates set for 58th Congressional Cup
Long Beach Yacht Club's elite Match Racing event Dates have been announced for the 58th Congressional Cup regatta and Ficker Cup qualifier hosted by Long Beach Yacht Club: with Congressional Cup slated April 18 to 22, 2023 preceded by the Ficker Cup April 13 to 15, 2023. Posted on 11 Aug 2022
57th Congressional Cup at LBYC Overall
Williams finishes 3-1 over Canfield, matches him with most Crimson Blazers in history Ian Williams (GBR) and Team Gladstone's Long Beach have won the 57th Congressional Cup – and a fifth iconic Crimson Blazer, defeating the defending champion Taylor Canfield (USA). Includes full replay of Finals and Petit Finals. Posted on 24 Apr 2022
57th Congressional Cup at LBYC day 4
We meet again - Williams and Canfield in Congressional Cup showdown Great Britain's six-time match racing world champion Ian Williams (Team Gladstones Long Beach) and USA's Taylor Canfield (Stars+Stripes Team USA) have advanced to the final of the 57th Congressional Cup in Long Beach, CA. Posted on 23 Apr 2022
57th Congressional Cup at LBYC day 3
Canfield, Williams, Berntsson, Pool advance to Semis Taylor Canfield (USA), Ian Williams (GBR), Johnie Berntsson (SWE) and Chris Poole (USA) have advanced to the semifinal stage in the 57th Congressional Cup, after a dicey day of sailing in winds grazing the top range for the Catalina 37 fleet. Posted on 22 Apr 2022
57th Congressional Cup at LBYC day 2
Canfield leads qualifying as the breeze fills in All aboard the Congressional Cup express! On Day Two of this world-class match racing regatta, everyone got on board: on the scoreboard that is, in a day of action-packed competition off the Belmont Veteran's Memorial Pier here. Posted on 21 Apr 2022
57th Congressional Cup kicks off
Stiff breeze and competition as Canfield guns for unprecedented sixth title A morning of fanfare: an evening of glitz. And in between — five hours of high-octane sailing! The 57th Congressional Cup kicked off today with a bookend of exciting events including a rededication of the racecourse with local dignitaries Posted on 20 Apr 2022
57th LBYC Congressional Cup preview
This year's all-star lineup includes five-time winner and defending champion Taylor Canfield Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia will help Long Beach Yacht Club kick off the 57th Congressional Cup regatta with a ribbon cutting and re-dedication of Congressional Cup Stadium. Posted on 6 Apr 2022
Lofty lineup for 57th Congressional Cup
Canfield, Williams return among field of world's top ranked skippers 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! Posted on 24 Feb 2022
Dates set for 57th Congressional Cup
Long Beach Yacht Club has announced the 2022 event schedule Long Beach Yacht Club has announced the 2022 dates for the prestigious Congressional Cup and Ficker Cup regattas, according to Chair Lisa Meier. Posted on 7 Nov 2021
Upffront 2020 Foredeck Club SW FOOTERHenri-Lloyd 2022 December - SW FOOTERBlokart SW 728 x 90 BOTTOM