{"id":293370,"date":"2026-04-30T16:29:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T16:29:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/293370\/"},"modified":"2026-04-30T16:29:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T16:29:13","slug":"congressional-cup-gets-underway-in-long-beach-press-telegram","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/293370\/","title":{"rendered":"Congressional Cup gets underway in Long Beach \u2013 Press Telegram"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The 61st annual Congressional Cup, dubbed the granddaddy of match-race sailing, officially got underway Wednesday in Long Beach.<\/p>\n<p>The Long Beach Yacht Club founded the Congressional Cup in 1965. It\u2019s the longest-running event of its kind in North America, according to the club\u2019s website, and helped set the standard for world-class match racing across the globe.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"From left, Sweden\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Johnie Berntsson and Oscar Engstrom compete during...\" class=\"size-article_inline\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-11-1.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>From left, Sweden\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Ian Garreta\u00e2\u0080\u0099s team celebrates during day one of the 2026...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-05.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-05.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Ian Garreta\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"From left, France\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Aurelien Pierroz and USA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Scotty Dickson compete...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-04.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-04.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>From left, France\u2019s Aurelien Pierroz and USA\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Sweden\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Johnie Berntsson and team compete during day one of...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-10.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-10.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Sweden\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Sweden\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Oscar Engstrom and team compete during day one of...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-08.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-08.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Sweden\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"From left, Australia\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Cole Tapper and USA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Scotty Dickson compete...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-09.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-09.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>From left, Australia\u2019s Cole Tapper and USA\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The 2026 Congressional Cup in Long Beach on Wednesday, April...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-07.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-07.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Congressional Cup in Long Beach on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"From right, Denmark\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Jeppe Borch and France\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Ian Garreta are...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-06.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-06.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>From right, Denmark\u2019s Jeppe Borch and France\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Switzerland\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Eric Monnin and team compete during day one of...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-03.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-03.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Switzerland\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"From right, France\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Ian Garreta and USA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Christian Prendergast compete...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-02.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-02.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>From right, France\u2019s Ian Garreta and USA\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"From right, Australia\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Cole Tapper and USA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s Christian Prendergast compete...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-01.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LPT-L-CONG-CUP-DAY1-0430-DK-01.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>From right, Australia\u2019s Cole Tapper and USA\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n<p>Show Caption<\/p>\n<p>1 of 11<\/p>\n<p>From left, Sweden\u2019s 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)\n<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#\" class=\"icon-enlarge mng-gallery-fullscreen-expand\" aria-label=\"Expand fullscreen slideshow\">Expand<\/a><\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Last year\u2019s Congressional Cup winner, Eric Monnin and his team from Switzerland, wasn\u2019t far behind, winning 83% of his matches Friday.<\/p>\n<p>Sweden\u2019s Johnie Berntsson and Australia\u2019s Cole Tapper won 67% of their matches.<\/p>\n<p>This year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>For information on scheduling and results, go to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.matchracingresults.com\/2026\/congressional-cup\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">matchracingresults.com\/2026\/congressional-cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Columnist Jo Murray contributed to this report.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The 61st annual Congressional Cup, dubbed the granddaddy of match-race sailing, officially got underway Wednesday in Long Beach.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":293371,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[7,23,131,133,132,137],"class_list":["post-293370","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-long-beach","tag-california","tag-local-news","tag-long-beach","tag-long-beach-headlines","tag-long-beach-news","tag-los-angeles-county"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/293370","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=293370"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/293370\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/293371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=293370"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=293370"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=293370"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}