Racing begins at 2022 Congressional Cup

Long Beach, CA (April 19, 2022) – 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, and a gala meet-the-skippers dinner at Long Beach Yacht Club.

Earlier today Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia joined LBYC Commodore Jon Turigliatto, club members and other area dignitaries at the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier for a ribbon-cutting and rededication of the Congressional Cup Stadium: a federally designated racecourse where Congressional Cup and other yacht racing takes place.

“We’re really excited for this rededication today, and also to celebrate the Congressional Cup and all it does for our incredible city,” said Mayor Garcia, of the championship match racing on April 19-23.

“I want to congratulate you not just on this incredible week, when all eyes will be on our community, but also in the rededication of the Congressional Cup Stadium here, and the Club’s many contributions to the City of Long Beach. I’m excited to kick off these games and most importantly for the preparation of 2028.”

Congressional Cup stadium will be the venue for sailing and other on-the-water competitions in the 2028 Los Angles Olympic Games, and LBYC will be an integral partner in those events.

“I view today as the start of our 2028 kick off,” added Mayor Garcia. “And of course as we look towards the 2028 Olympics: how important our community and the sailing is going to be in showcasing the very best of Long Beach not just to the United States, but to the entire world.”

As they spoke, a fire boat displayed a water salute in the distance. A large crowd gathered on the west end of the pier, in a crisp breeze that bode well for the world-class racing about to commence.

And then, there was the sailing as Taylor Canfield began his defense of the Congressional Cup trophy as he pursues an unprecedented sixth win of the only Grade 1 match racing event in the USA.

Just three flights had been completed when Principal Race Officer John Busch called for the fleet to downsize to the smaller jibs, as the wind touched 18 knots.

In true championship style, Canfield (USA) came on strong. After six flights, Canfield was 5-1, but not without a solid challenge from opponents Chris Poole (USA) and 2009 Congressional Cup winner Johnnie Berntsson (SWE), also 5-1.

Also competing: four time victor Ian Williams (GBR), Harry Price (AUS), Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL), Pearson Potts (USA) and Dave Hood (USA). In addition Emil Kjaer (DEN) and Jeppe Borch (DEN) qualified in last week’s Ficker Cup regatta to round out the roster.

The Congressional Cup is one of the leading yacht racing events in the world, and is the first World Championship event on the 2022 World Match Racing Tour schedule.

The double round robin series, will semifinals and petite finals will continue throughout the week, culminating in the finals stage matches April 23. The winner will hoist the coveted Congressional Cup trophy and don the Crimson blazer: yacht racing’s equivalent to The Masters’ green jacket.

Founded in 1965 by LBYC. This pre-eminent event remains a magnet for the finest skippers and crews from around the globe, who compete in five days of heated on-the-water competition for the coveted Congressional Cup trophy.

Racing starts at 11:30AM and is viewable from the Belmont Pier with shaded stadium seating and live commentary.

Event information – Results – Crew lists

2022 World Match Racing Tour Schedule
April 14-16 – Ficker Cup – Long Beach, CA, USA
April 18-23 – Congressional Cup – Long Beach, CA, USA*
April 28-May 1 – Szczecin Match Race – Szczecin, Poland
May 6-8 – Porto Montenegro Match Race – Tivat, Montenegro
May 20-22 – NJK Open Spring Cup – Helsinki, Finland
May 24-29 – Island Match Cup – Puerto Rico (cancelled)
June 4-5 – GKSS Spring Cup – Gothenburg, Sweden
June 16-19 – OM International Ledro Match Race – Ledro, Italy
July 4-9 – GKSS Match Cup Marstrand – Marstrand, Sweden* (cancelled)
August 12-14 – Chicago Grand Slam – Chicago, IL, USA
August 18-21 – International Match Race for the Detroit Cup – Detroit, MI, USA
August 25-29 – Oakcliff International – Oyster Bay, NY, USA
August 30-September 3 – Thompson Cup – Oyster Bay, NY, USA
September 7-11 – Baltic Match Race – Tallin, Estonia
September 29-October 3 – Match Race Germany – Langenargen, Germany
September 30-October 3 – DBS Marina Bay Cup – Marina Bay, Singapore
October 7-9 – Polish Open – Szczecin, Poland
October 17-22 – Bermuda Gold Cup – Hamilton, Bermuda* (cancelled)
December 6-11 – Shenzhen Bao’an Match Cup: WMRT Finals – Shenzhen, China*
*World Championship (WC) Events

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

Source: Betsy Senescu