Nicolai Sehested Early Leader at Congressional Cup

Nicolai Sehested

Long Beach, CA (April 6, 2016) – The opening day of the Congressional Cup saw early spring winds challenge race officers and teams during the qualifying stage of the five day event. As the second stop on the World Match Racing Tour, the twelve teams were faced with big swings in direction, plus wind strength stepping into the 20 knot range before getting soft by the close of the day.

As the only undefeated skipper, Nicolai Sehested (DEN), ranked 12th in the world, had been absent from the Tour as he crewed on Team Vestas Wind in the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race. At the other end of the table was 6-time World Champion Ian Williams (GBR), who after winning the first stage of the Tour in Fremantle (AUS), went winless today in five races.

Competing in Catalina 37s, the format has a single round robin to advance the top four teams, with a repechage round to determine the next four teams that advance to the knock out rounds. Racing continues daily to April 10

Day One Standings (after six flights)
Nicolai Sehested (DEN) 5-0
Phil Robertson (NZL) 4-1
Chris Steele (NZL) 4-1
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) 3-2
Taylor Canfield (ISV) 3-2
Eric Monnin (SUI) 3-2
Johnie Berntsson (SWE) 3-2
Scott Dickson (USA) 2-3
Sam Gilmore (AUS) 1-4
Keith Swinton (AUS) 1-4
Sally Barkow (USA) 1-4
Ian Williams (GBR) 0-5

Event website – Scoreboard – Livestream – Facebook

Photos by Bronny Daniels, courtesy LBYC:

ABOUT THE CONGRESSIONAL CUP
The 52nd Congressional Cup on April 6-10 features five days of yacht racing at its finest, with twelve elite teams vying for the esteemed Crimson Blazer – an honor bestowed to sailing icons like Dennis Conner, Dean Barker, Ken Read, Ted Turner, Taylor Canfield and more. Founded in 1965 and pioneering the concept of on-the-water umpiring, The Congressional Cup is regarded as the ‘granddaddy of match racing’ and is part of the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT). This intense round-the-world circuit kicked off early March in Fremantle, Australia, and concludes in July in Marstrand, Sweden; where one lucky sailor will earn a sizeable purse and bragging rights – as the number one skipper at the pinnacle of the sailing game. http://www.thecongressionalcup.com/

Source: Event media