The 61st annual Congressional Cup, dubbed the granddaddy of match-race sailing, officially got underway Wednesday in Long Beach.
The Long Beach Yacht Club founded the Congressional Cup in 1965. It’s the longest-running event of its kind in North America, according to the club’s website, and helped set the standard for world-class match racing across the globe.
From left, Sweden’s Johnie Berntsson and Oscar Engstrom compete during day one of the 2026 Congressional Cup in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Ian Garreta’s team celebrates during day one of the 2026 Congressional Cup in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, France’s Aurelien Pierroz and USA’s Scotty Dickson compete during day one of the 2026 Congressional Cup in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Sweden’s Johnie Berntsson and team compete during day one of the 2026 Congressional Cup in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Sweden’s Oscar Engstrom and team compete during day one of the 2026 Congressional Cup in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Australia’s Cole Tapper and USA’s Scotty Dickson compete during day one of the 2026 Congressional Cup in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The 2026 Congressional Cup in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From right, Denmark’s Jeppe Borch and France’s Ian Garreta are neck and neck during day one of the 2026 Congressional Cup in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Switzerland’s Eric Monnin and team compete during day one of the 2026 Congressional Cup in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From right, France’s Ian Garreta and USA’s Christian Prendergast compete during day one of the 2026 Congressional Cup in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From right, Australia’s Cole Tapper and USA’s Christian Prendergast compete during day one of the 2026 Congressional Cup in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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From left, Sweden’s Johnie Berntsson and Oscar Engstrom compete during day one of the 2026 Congressional Cup in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Top-ranked skippers from across the world come to Long Beach each year to compete for the prestigious Congressional Cup trophy and the crimson blazer, a coveted jacket often compared to the green jacket golfers receive for winning the Masters Tournament.
The first-round robin of racing Wednesday saw Chris Poole and his crew from America climbing to the top of the leaderboard with a 100% success rate in his matches so far.
Last year’s Congressional Cup winner, Eric Monnin and his team from Switzerland, wasn’t far behind, winning 83% of his matches Friday.
Sweden’s Johnie Berntsson and Australia’s Cole Tapper won 67% of their matches.
This year’s regatta will run through Sunday with free public viewing from the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier. There are grandstands, restrooms, and free golf cart shuttles. Racing starts about noon each day.
For information on scheduling and results, go to matchracingresults.com/2026/congressional-cup.
Columnist Jo Murray contributed to this report.