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Swedish match racing skipper Theo Westerlind steps in for Lennard Bal at the 2026 Long Beach Yacht Club Ficker Cup, marking his debut at this prestigious event. This change is pivotal as Westerlind brings a wealth of experience, having successfully competed in youth and open match racing events both in Sweden and internationally.
Currently ranked #88 in the World Sailing Match Racing Rankings, Westerlind teams up with an impressive crew that includes Sam Rosenbaum, John McCarthy, Henry Day, Garrett Grenauer, Edward Kliem, and match racing veteran Johnie Berntsson, the 2009 Congressional Cup winner. The Ficker Cup, a Grade 2 match racing event and part of the World Match Racing Tour, takes place from April 24 to 26, 2026, using LBYC’s fleet of identical Catalina 37s.
This event, named after Bill Ficker, who won the 1970 America's Cup, serves as the final qualifier for the Congressional Cup. The top two teams earn spots in the prestigious Congressional Cup, scheduled for April 29 to May 3, 2026. Ficker Cup Chair Tom Camp expresses excitement about Westerlind’s participation, promising an exhilarating competition with live commentary and free viewing at Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier.
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