Congressional Cup Features Top Sailing Skippers & Free Viewing

One of the world’s top sailing events returns to Long Beach for the 51st time this May.

It’s the Congressional Cup and it features an all-star lineup of skippers from all over the world. They are leading crews in identically-prepared boats in this five-day series of elimination races from May 13-17. It takes place off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier each day from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

And it’s all free to the public!

Yes, it’s free. And it’s up-close viewing, too; the boats come so close to the pier is looks as if they may hit it, before the skilled skippers and crew suddenly and amazingly turn the boats on a dime, and off they go in the distance. When they head back to the pier they host their colorful spinnakers and it’s a sight that will make you say ”oh MY!”

The skippers taking part in it are the world’s best at this kind of racing. Here’s the lineup:

Current ISAF World Match Racing Champion and two-time Congressional Cup winner Ian Williams, GBR (ranked no. 1); defending Congressional Cup champion Taylor Canfield, ISV (no. 2); Eric Monnin, SUI (no. 4); Bjorn Hansen, SWE (no. 5); Joachim Aschenbrenner, DEN (no. 9); Keith Swinton, AUS (no. 10); Reuben Corbett, NZL (no. 12); Phil Robertson, NZL (no. 13); and Przemeyslaw ‘Tara’ Tarnaki, POL (no. 26) Scott Dickson (who represents the host Long Beach Yacht Club, ranked no. 167) and two finalists from the Ficker Cup regatta – which take place off the Belmont Pier the weekend of May 9-10.

Again it’s free and there is food and drink for sale on the pier with expert commentary explaining what is exactly happening on the water.