The 59th Congressional Cup, considered the grandfather of match racing, kicked off its weeklong competition on Wednesday, April 24, with a record 12 crews trying to don the crimson blazer that goes to the winners.
The regatta, which begins with a single round-robin, takes place off the Long Beach coast, near Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, with each crew sailing a Catalina 37 yacht.
After the round-robin, there will be a repechage – meaning those who didn’t qualify for the knockout rounds get another go at it – and then the quarterfinals, semifinals and, on Sunday, the finals.
Day one of racing for the 59th Congressional Cup, with a record 12 teams competing in a round robin format, just off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Day one of racing for the 59th Congressional Cup, with a record 12 teams competing in a round robin format, just off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. New this year the sails are color different colors, making it easier for fans to keep track of the teams. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
L-R Teams Poole and Hood on Day one of racing for the 59th Congressional Cup, with a record 12 teams competing in a round robin format, just off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. New this year the sails are color different colors, making it easier for fans to keep track of the teams. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Day one of racing for the 59th Congressional Cup, with a record 12 teams competing in a round robin format, just off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. New this year the sails are color different colors, making it easier for fans to keep track of the teams. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Day one of racing for the 59th Congressional Cup, with a record 12 teams competing in a round robin format, just off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
L-R Teams Poole and Hood on Day one of racing for the 59th Congressional Cup, with a record 12 teams competing in a round robin format, just off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. New this year the sails are color different colors, making it easier for fans to keep track of the teams. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Team Berntsson on day one of racing for the 59th Congressional Cup, with a record 12 teams competing in a round robin format, just off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
L-R Teams Egnot-Johnson and Tapper on day one of racing for the 59th Congressional Cup, with a record 12 teams competing in a round robin format, just off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. New this year the sails are color different colors, making it easier for fans to keep track of the teams. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
An umpire watches day one of racing for the 59th Congressional Cup, with a record 12 teams competing in a round robin format, just off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
L-R Teams Egnot-Johnson and Tapper on day one of racing for the 59th Congressional Cup, with a record 12 teams competing in a round robin format, just off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. New this year the sails are color different colors, making it easier for fans to keep track of the teams. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
L-R Teams Brady, Thomson, Monnin, and Dickson on day one of racing for the 59th Congressional Cup, with a record 12 teams competing in a round robin format, just off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Day one of racing for the 59th Congressional Cup, with a record 12 teams competing in a round robin format, just off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. New this year the sails are color different colors, making it easier for fans to keep track of the teams. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Day one of racing for the 59th Congressional Cup, with a record 12 teams competing in a round robin format, just off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. New this year the sails are color different colors, making it easier for fans to keep track of the teams. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Day one of racing for the 59th Congressional Cup, with a record 12 teams competing in a round robin format, just off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. This year the sails are all different colors making it easier for fans to keep track of the teams. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Day one of racing for the 59th Congressional Cup, with a record 12 teams competing in a round robin format, just off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Spectators watch day one of racing for the 59th Congressional Cup, with a record 12 teams competing in a round robin format, just off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
“The skies were blue, the sun was out and the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier has never looked better,” 2024 Congressional Cup Chair Tony Mansour said on Wednesday. “The 59th annual Congressional Cup got off to an amazing start.”
There was also a consistent breeze, which made for ideal conditions.
“We are going to stay out on the water as long as we can today and get as much sailing in as we can,” Wendy Corzine, the principal race officer, announced during the morning skippers meeting.
A small crowd of spectators were treated to live commentary from the pier – often referred to as the “pit row seats” of match racing.
Denmark’s Jeppe Borch snared the Day One lead with six victories.
Great Britain’s Ian Williams and Sweden’s Johnie Berntsson — the 2009 Congressional Cup winner, who is competing in the regatta for the 14th time — were close behind with five points.
Reigning winner Chris Poole and his crew – who last year were undefeated in the regatta – were next with 4.5 points. Poole was docked a half-point for contact with another craft, according to officials.
Switzerland’s Eric Monnin and and American Gavin Brady were next with four points. American David Hood, who competed in this past weekend’s Ficker Cup despite already being qualified for the Congressional Cup, snagged 3.5 points.
During the round robin, each of the 12 teams race one another once — meaning 11 flights apiece.
The knockout quarterfinal and semifinal are slated for Saturday, with the finals and trophy presentation on Sunday.
It is free to watch the Congressional Cup. The best place to do so is at the grandstands set up at the pier. Paid parking is available adjacent to the pier and there are free golf cart shuttles.
