{"id":298469,"date":"2026-05-04T00:24:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T00:24:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/298469\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T00:24:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T00:24:26","slug":"tapper-holds-nerve-as-semi-final-spot-hangs-in-the-balance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/298469\/","title":{"rendered":"Tapper holds nerve as semi-final spot hangs in the balance"},"content":{"rendered":"

LONG BEACH, Calif. (May 1, 2026) \u2013 Tensions were high on day three of the 61st Congressional Cup as the race for the final semi-final berth intensified in front of the Belmont Pier in Long Beach. With three past champions already in a commanding position, Australia\u2019s Cole Tapper and Denmark\u2019s Jeppe Borch are now locked in a dramatic showdown for the last remaining place in the final four.<\/p>\n

Race officials completed four more flights today, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the round robin stage tomorrow.<\/p>\n

\"2026\"20262026 LBYC Congressional Cup, Day 3. Long Beach Yacht Club, Long Beach, CA. May 01, 2026. \/\/ Photo credit: Ian Roman \/ WMRT<\/p>\n

The pivotal clash of the day came when Tapper and Borch met head-to-head in a must-win contest. Borch found speed in the pre-start and surged across the line by inches, forcing Tapper to chase from the outset. What followed was an intense tacking duel upwind, with Tapper relentlessly closing the gap.<\/p>\n

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Approaching the leeward gate, Borch launched an aggressive luffing attack, but Tapper and crew responded brilliantly\u2014rolling past the Danish team to seize control. From there, Tapper stretched his lead to three boat lengths at the second windward mark and sailed confidently to the finish line in one of the most exciting races of the regatta.<\/p>\n

\"Christian\"ChristianChristian Prendergast, USA. 2026 LBYC Congressional Cup, Day 3. Long Beach Yacht Club, Long Beach, CA. May 01, 2026. \/\/ Photo credit: Ian Roman \/ WMRT<\/p>\n

\u201cWe knew it was an important race going into the match and we were definitely aware of the potential tie break for the semis\u201d commented Tapper. \u201cWe got off to a really bad start and trailed Jeppe into a heavy tacking duel but my crew worked hard and eventually we were able to pass him, it meant a lot to the team.\u201d<\/p>\n

The victory leaves Tapper in fourth place and firmly in control of his own destiny. Borch must now win both remaining races tomorrow and hope Tapper drops his final two matches to keep his semi-final hopes alive.<\/p>\n

\"Daniela\"DanielaDaniela Moroz, 6x Formula Kite World Champion, 4x US Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year making a visit to the Congressional Cup Stadium at Belmont Pier . 2026 LBYC Congressional Cup, Day 3. Long Beach Yacht Club, Long Beach, CA. May 01, 2026. \/\/ Photo credit: Ian Roman \/ WMRT<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, Scotty Dickson (USA) and Oscar Engstr\u00f6m (SWE)\u2014fresh off their winner and runner-up finishes at last weekend\u2019s Ficker Cup to earn Congressional Cup invitations\u2014were unable to break into contention for the semi-finals. Both teams ended the day tied at 5 wins, 11 losses.<\/p>\n

The evening concluded with the ever-popular Junior Congressional Cup, where Long Beach Yacht Club junior sailors teamed up with the world-class match racing skippers in spirited FJ dinghy racing directly in front of the clubhouse. The Cup was won by LBYC Junior Jack Brodsky sailing with defending 2025 Congressional Cup Champion Switzerland\u2019s Eric Monnin.<\/p>\n

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\"Winner\"WinnerWinner of the Junior Congressional Cup Jack Brodsky with Eric Monnin and LBYC Commodore Bob Piercy. 2026 LBYC Congressional Cup, Junior Congressional Cup. Long Beach Yacht Club, Long Beach, CA. May 01, 2026. \/\/ Photo credit: Ian Roman \/ WMRT<\/p>\n

Racing resumes tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. PDT at Belmont Pier with the completion of the double round robin followed immediately by the semi-finals. Spectator viewing is free at the Congressional Cup Stadium located at the end of Belmont Pier.<\/p>\n

For more information, visit www.thecongressionalcup.com<\/a> and www.wmrt.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Boating New Zealand Insert<\/p>\n

Poole and Monnin dominant as Tapper tightens grip on semi-final spot<\/p>\n

Long Beach Yacht Club \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 April 29 \u2013 May 3, 2026<\/p>\n

– Advertisement, article continues below –\"\"\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Chris Poole and Eric Monnin have stamped their authority on the 61st Congressional Cup with identical 4\u20130 days as racing through flights 13 to 16 set up a tense finale to Round Robin 2 at Long Beach Yacht Club.<\/p>\n

Poole was again imperious, defeating Christian Prendergast, Jeppe Borch, Ian Garreta and Cole Tapper without dropping a match. Monnin was equally relentless, accounting for Aur\u00e9lien Pierroz, Oscar Engstr\u00f6m, Johnie Berntsson and Prendergast to close to within two wins of the runaway leader overall.<\/p>\n

Monnin\u2019s win over Berntsson was among the most significant results of the day. The Swedish veteran had been level with the Swiss skipper through the first two rounds, but that defeat, compounded by a loss to Scotty Dickson later in the session, has opened a two-win gap between them heading into the final two flights of the round robin.<\/p>\n

Tapper put in a composed 2\u20132 day to consolidate fourth place overall. His most important result was a win over Borch in flight 15, a result that could prove decisive in the battle for the last semi-final berth. Borch also went 2\u20132 on the day, and now sits two wins behind Tapper with two flights remaining, meaning he must win both his remaining races and hope Tapper drops at least one to force his way into the top four.<\/p>\n

Garreta endured the toughest day on the water, going winless across all four matches to fall to the foot of the standings alongside Pierroz.<\/p>\n

Sailor
\nW
\nL
\nWin %<\/p>\n

Chris Poole USA
\n4
\n0
\n100%<\/p>\n

Eric Monnin SUI
\n4
\n0
\n100%<\/p>\n

Johnie Berntsson SWE
\n2
\n2
\n50%<\/p>\n

Cole Tapper AUS
\n2
\n2
\n50%<\/p>\n

Jeppe Borch DEN
\n2
\n2
\n50%<\/p>\n

Scotty Dickson USA
\n2
\n2
\n50%<\/p>\n

Aur\u00e9lien Pierroz FRA
\n2
\n2
\n50%<\/p>\n

Christian Prendergast USA
\n1
\n3
\n25%<\/p>\n

Oscar Engstr\u00f6m SWE
\n1
\n3
\n25%<\/p>\n

Ian Garreta FRA
\n0
\n4
\n0%<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Overall standings after Day 3<\/p>\n

Chris Poole leads the 61st Congressional Cup with a 15\u20131 record at 94% heading into the final day of Round Robin 2. Monnin sits second at 13\u20133, with Berntsson and Tapper locked in third and fourth. Borch\u2019s semi-final hopes remain alive but he must win both remaining matches and rely on Tapper dropping points.<\/p>\n

#
\nSailor
\nW
\nL
\nWin %<\/p>\n

1
\nChris Poole USA
\n15
\n1
\n94%<\/p>\n

2
\nEric Monnin SUI
\n13
\n3
\n81%<\/p>\n

3
\nJohnie Berntsson SWE
\n11
\n5
\n69%<\/p>\n

4
\nCole Tapper AUS
\n10
\n6
\n63%<\/p>\n

5
\nJeppe Borch DEN
\n8
\n8
\n50%<\/p>\n

6
\nScotty Dickson USA
\n5
\n11
\n31%<\/p>\n

6
\nChristian Prendergast USA
\n5
\n11
\n31%<\/p>\n

6
\nOscar Engstr\u00f6m SWE
\n5
\n11
\n31%<\/p>\n

9
\nAur\u00e9lien Pierroz FRA
\n4
\n12
\n25%<\/p>\n

9
\nIan Garreta FRA
\n4
\n12
\n25%<\/p>\n

Round Robin 2, Day 3 standings \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Source: MatchRacingResults.com<\/a><\/p>\n

About Long Beach Yacht Club<\/p>\n

Established in 1929, Long Beach Yacht Club is recognized as a leading organization in the international yachting community for its commitment to excellence in yacht racing and innovation in race management. In addition to hosting the Congressional Cup and numerous other local, national and international yachting events, the Club\u2019s member families enjoy a year-round calendar of social, yachting and junior activities at its beautiful clubhouse on the shore of Alamitos Bay. www.lbyc.org<\/p>\n

About World Match Racing Tour<\/p>\n

Founded in 2000, the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) promotes the sport of match racing around the world and is the longest running global professional series in the sport of sailing. The WMRT is awarded \u2018Special Event\u2019 status by the sport\u2019s world governing body \u2013World Sailing \u2013 and the winner of the WMRT each year is crowned World Sailing Match Racing World Champion. Since 2000, the World Match Racing Tour and its events have awarded over USD24million in prize money to sailors which has helped to contribute to the career pathway of many of today\u2019s professional sailors. www.wmrt.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"LONG BEACH, Calif. (May 1, 2026) \u2013 Tensions were high on day three of the 61st Congressional Cup…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":298470,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[126441,126442,131,133,132,123664],"class_list":["post-298469","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-long-beach","tag-2026-congressional-cup","tag-2026-world-match-racing-tour","tag-long-beach","tag-long-beach-headlines","tag-long-beach-news","tag-sailing-yacht"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/298469","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=298469"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/298469\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/298470"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=298469"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=298469"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=298469"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}