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The 61st Congressional Cup kicks off with a thrilling first day at Long Beach Yacht Club, showcasing the world’s top match racing teams. This opening round sets the stage for a fierce battle as teams vie for crucial qualification points.
Two-time champion Chris Poole and Riptide Racing dominate the day, remaining undefeated with six wins. Defending champion Eric Monnin and his Swiss Match Racing Team follow closely, finishing with five victories. An ideal 10-14 knot westerly breeze provides perfect conditions for the Catalina 37 fleet, while International Umpires issue a staggering fourteen penalties throughout the races, amplifying the day’s excitement.
A highlight of the day features Poole narrowly defeating USA's Christian Prendergast, who impressively secures his first Congressional Cup win against Denmark's Jeppe Borch in a thrilling race filled with lead changes and penalties. Prendergast notes the competition is wide open, with five teams tied with two wins each.
Local favorite Scotty Dickson, fresh from his Ficker Cup victory, energizes the crowd with wins against France's Aurélien Pierroz and Sweden's Oscar Engström. Racing resumes tomorrow at Belmont Pier at 11:30 a.m. as teams continue their quest for a spot in the semi-finals, leading up to the finals on May 3, 2026.
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