Under clear skies and in classic Long Beach conditions, the 60th edition of the prestigious Congressional Cup got underway with an emphatic opening statement from defending champion Chris Poole and his Riptide Racing team. The American skipper wasted no time reasserting his dominance at the top level of match racing, posting six straight wins on the opening day, and ultimately finishing the first round robin with an 8–1 record. The only blemish on his scorecard: a single loss to Switzerland’s Eric Monnin.
Poole, the two-time defending champion, looked right at home in the breezy afternoon conditions after a lighter-than-usual morning start. “We had a great day today – the crew is working really well together,” he said. “We’re taking it one race at a time, but it’s a good start for us and we’ll build on this momentum.”
With two Crimson Blazers already to his name, Poole is clearly aiming to make it a historic three-peat – something rarely achieved in the six-decade history of the Long Beach Yacht Club’s flagship event.
But he isn’t without pressure.
Hot on his heels are Australia’s Cole Tapper and Switzerland’s Eric Monnin, both finishing the day with impressive 7–2 records. Tapper, the reigning Youth Match Racing World Champion, is proving he belongs on the senior circuit. The CYCA skipper is showing maturity beyond his years, and his team’s sharp boathandling and aggressive tactics have earned them early respect in the field. A notable win over Sweden’s veteran Björn Hansen was a particular highlight.
Monnin, no stranger to the Congressional Cup podium, remains one of the most experienced hands in the fleet. Though he has yet to clinch the Crimson Blazer, his performance so far suggests he’s very much in the hunt. His only two losses – one to Tapper and another to Canada’s Peter Wickwire – haven’t shaken his composure.
Speaking of Wickwire, the Canadian skipper provided one of the day’s biggest upsets. Despite finishing with a modest 3–6 record, Wickwire notched wins over both Monnin and Sweden’s Johnie Berntsson. “We’ve been watching Johnie and Eric for a long time – they’ve always cleaned us up,” said Wickwire. “So it was a pretty cool day for us to beat them both.”
Dave Hood, representing the host Long Beach Yacht Club, also had a solid showing on home waters, finishing fourth overall after Round Robin 1 with a 6–3 scoreline. Hood’s win over Tapper stood out, as did his tenacity in a tight race against Italy’s Rocco Attili.
The leaderboard is already starting to shape up, but there’s still plenty of racing left. The first stage – a full double round robin – is halfway complete. With six more races per skipper to go before the knock-out stages begin, the pressure is on to make the top four cut.
Behind the front-runners, the middle of the pack remains tightly contested. Berntsson (SWE), Attili (ITA), and Wickwire (CAN) are all tied at 3–6. While their hopes for a semi-final berth are fading, they remain well in contention for the fleet race that will determine final rankings for the bottom six.
Further down the table, France’s Ian Garreta sits on two wins, while the USA’s Nicole Breault has just one. But with the Congressional Cup’s unique double round-robin format, fortunes can swing quickly. Each win matters in the push for the final knockout stages.
From a spectator’s standpoint, the match racing has been tight and tactical, especially during the pre-start duels and mark roundings. Belmont Pier provided a front-row seat for fans, who were treated to an afternoon of close crosses, penalty calls, and photofinish endings – the kind of match racing the Congressional Cup is famous for.
With more breeze in the forecast and plenty of rivalry building, the stage is now set for an intense continuation of the regatta. Racing resumes tomorrow as teams fight to stay in contention for the Crimson Blazer and Congressional Cup glory.
Follow the action live on World Match Racing Tour and Congressional Cup social media, with full coverage continuing through to Sunday, May 4.
