The 60th running of the Congressional Cup is underway.
The “granddaddy” of match racing began on Wednesday, April 30, with the 10 skippers and their crews sailing in a double round-robin format. The competition will run through Sunday, May 4, which is when the semifinals and finals will take place.
Spectators watch as the boat captained by Johnie Berntsson sails past the Belmont Pier on the first day of racing at the Congressional Cup on Wednesday, April 30. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer, Contributing Photographer)
Angi Carelli, claps for Dave Hood during the first day of racing at the Congressional Cup on Wednesday, April 30. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer, Contributing Photographer)
Captain Cole Tapper’s boat, left, competes against Captain Chris Poole’s boat during the first day of racing at the Congressional Cup on Wednesday, April 30. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer, Contributing Photographer)
Angi Carelli, left, Pat Watkins and Sharon Morford watch the first day of racing at the Congressional Cup from Belmont Pier on Wednesday, April 30. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer, Contributing Photographer)
Terie Salinas updates the score board following the first match on the first day of racing at the Congressional Cup on Wednesday, April 30. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer, Contributing Photographer)
Terie Salinas updates the score board following the first match on the first day of racing at the Congressional Cup on Wednesday, April 30. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer, Contributing Photographer)
Sail boats race during the first math on the first day of racing at the Congressional Cup off the coast of Long Beach on Wednesday, April 30. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer, Contributing Photographer)
Captain Bjorn Hansen’s boat, left, competes against Captain Eric Monnin’s boat during the first day of racing at the Congressional CupWednesday, April 30. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer, Contributing Photographer)
Captain Dave Hood, from Long Beach, waves after winning his first match during the first day of racing at the Congressional Cup on Wednesday, April 30. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer, Contributing Photographer)
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Spectators watch as the boat captained by Johnie Berntsson sails past the Belmont Pier on the first day of racing at the Congressional Cup on Wednesday, April 30. (Photo by Scott Smeltzer, Contributing Photographer)
American skipper Chris Poole, the two-time defending champion, got off to the best start on Wednesday, winning his first six matches, as of 4:45 p.m. — as he attempts to three-peat.
Fellow American skipper Dave Hood, Australian Cole Tapper and Sweden’s Eric Monnin had won four of their first six matches, as of about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday.
The second day of the double round-robin format will take place on Thursday.
