Congressional Cup sails into Long Beach this week

The Long Beach Yacht Club plays host to the 52nd aual Congressional Cup this week, regarded as World Match Racing Tour’s “granddaddy of match racing” among avid sailors. The Congressional Cup features 12 of the top skippers in the world, from eight different nations, all of whom have the prestigious Crimson Blazer on the mind.

“We travel the world most of the year,” said skipper Phil Robertson, last year’s Congressional Cup ruer-up. “We’re looked after so well here in Long Beach and that’s what makes this is the best match race of the year.”

The Congressional Cup is the biggest sailing contest in the world, due in large part to the 300 volunteers at the LBYC that make the event so special for the fans and so hospitable for the skippers and their crews.

Not only do the skippers and their crews feel welcomed at the LBYC during race days, they’re also embraced by host families, who they stay with throughout the weekend. There, the crews are part of the families, participating in household chores and experiencing life in Long Beach.

“I’m more excited for the stories that come off the water than on,” said skipper Sam Gilmour, first time Congressional Cup competitor. “The hospitality here has been outstanding so far.”

The Congressional Cup and the LBYC is known for it’s world-class hospitality, but it’s the world-class racing that the sailing fans around the world will have their eyes on this weekend.

This year’s field is headlined by some of the biggest names in the sport, led by skipper Tyler Canfield from the U.S. Virgin Islands, who has won the last two Congressional Cups, looking for a three-peat.

Skipper Ian Williams of Great Britain is the two-time defending champion of the Match Racing World Championship Tour. Having eaed two Crimson Blazers already in his career, he’ll be looking to ea a third with a whole new crew.

The veteran of the group is Long Beach Yacht Club’s own Scott Dixon, who will be representing the LBYC at the Congressional Cup for a 17th year.

“Every race is wide open and no lead will be big enough,” said Dixon about this year’s race. “The Congressional Cup is anything but predictable.”

Each crew competes in identical 37-foot Catalina keelboats, designed to eliminate any advantage that a crew might have. The skippers will use strategic maneuvers to combat their opponents in the head-to-head formatting.

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The event begins today with round-robin head-to-head racing and will continue through this weekend until the championship on Sunday. The Congressional Cup is free and open to the public, with plenty of room so fans will have a great view of the action.

Races are held off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier at 15 39th Place.