LONG BEACH, Calif. (May 1, 2026) – 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’s Cole Tapper and Denmark’s Jeppe Borch are now locked in a dramatic showdown for the last remaining place in the final four.
Race officials completed four more flights today, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the round robin stage tomorrow.
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.
Approaching the leeward gate, Borch launched an aggressive luffing attack, but Tapper and crew responded brilliantly—rolling 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.
“We knew it was an important race going into the match and we were definitely aware of the potential tie break for the semis” commented Tapper. “We 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.”
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.
Elsewhere, Scotty Dickson (USA) and Oscar Engström (SWE)—fresh off their winner and runner-up finishes at last weekend’s Ficker Cup to earn Congressional Cup invitations—were unable to break into contention for the semi-finals. Both teams ended the day tied at 5 wins, 11 losses.
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’s Eric Monnin.
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.
For more information, visit www.thecongressionalcup.com and www.wmrt.com.
Boating New Zealand Insert
Poole and Monnin dominant as Tapper tightens grip on semi-final spot
Long Beach Yacht Club • April 29 – May 3, 2026
Chris Poole and Eric Monnin have stamped their authority on the 61st Congressional Cup with identical 4–0 days as racing through flights 13 to 16 set up a tense finale to Round Robin 2 at Long Beach Yacht Club.
Poole was again imperious, defeating Christian Prendergast, Jeppe Borch, Ian Garreta and Cole Tapper without dropping a match. Monnin was equally relentless, accounting for Aurélien Pierroz, Oscar Engström, Johnie Berntsson and Prendergast to close to within two wins of the runaway leader overall.
Monnin’s 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.
Tapper put in a composed 2–2 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 2–2 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.
Garreta endured the toughest day on the water, going winless across all four matches to fall to the foot of the standings alongside Pierroz.
| Sailor | W | L | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Poole USA | 4 | 0 | 100% |
| Eric Monnin SUI | 4 | 0 | 100% |
| Johnie Berntsson SWE | 2 | 2 | 50% |
| Cole Tapper AUS | 2 | 2 | 50% |
| Jeppe Borch DEN | 2 | 2 | 50% |
| Scotty Dickson USA | 2 | 2 | 50% |
| Aurélien Pierroz FRA | 2 | 2 | 50% |
| Christian Prendergast USA | 1 | 3 | 25% |
| Oscar Engström SWE | 1 | 3 | 25% |
| Ian Garreta FRA | 0 | 4 | 0% |
Overall standings after Day 3
Chris Poole leads the 61st Congressional Cup with a 15–1 record at 94% heading into the final day of Round Robin 2. Monnin sits second at 13–3, with Berntsson and Tapper locked in third and fourth. Borch’s semi-final hopes remain alive but he must win both remaining matches and rely on Tapper dropping points.
| # | Sailor | W | L | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Poole USA | 15 | 1 | 94% |
| 2 | Eric Monnin SUI | 13 | 3 | 81% |
| 3 | Johnie Berntsson SWE | 11 | 5 | 69% |
| 4 | Cole Tapper AUS | 10 | 6 | 63% |
| 5 | Jeppe Borch DEN | 8 | 8 | 50% |
| 6 | Scotty Dickson USA | 5 | 11 | 31% |
| 6 | Christian Prendergast USA | 5 | 11 | 31% |
| 6 | Oscar Engström SWE | 5 | 11 | 31% |
| 9 | Aurélien Pierroz FRA | 4 | 12 | 25% |
| 9 | Ian Garreta FRA | 4 | 12 | 25% |
Round Robin 2, Day 3 standings • Source: MatchRacingResults.com
About Long Beach Yacht Club
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’s 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
About World Match Racing Tour
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 ‘Special Event’ status by the sport’s world governing body –World Sailing – 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’s professional sailors. www.wmrt.com
