With just six months to go until eventually the begin of the 56th Congressional Cup, Long Seaside Yacht Club has rallied the troops and organized an army of volunteers to orchestrate this earth-renowned levels of competition, slated for September 14 to 19, 2021.
Not only is the Congressional Cup a person of the leading match racing situations of its sort – it is also a single of the most preferred in the eyes of the professional athletes who appear to compete every calendar year.
The Congressional Cup is one of a kind in its unparalleled stage of customized hospitality to the crews and officials, together with top-notch competitors. Club associates host skippers and crew in their households supply transportation and rides volunteer on the drinking water, pier, ashore and additional, to operate each factor of this 7 days-long regatta.
“The Congressional Cup is our marquee party,” announced Chairman Chris Macy. “Not only is it the only Grade A person Match Race in the US, but it is also a preferred amid the racers who preserve coming back.”
At most other regattas opponents stay in resorts, he explained. “It’s segregated and sterile. When they’re done racing they go back again to their rooms. It is not the warm welcome and friendliness we have right here at LBYC. And that’s since of our volunteers and users.”
The event can take more than 300 volunteers, he stated, and while most are LBYC users, others from neighboring clubs sign up for in: knowing what a big occasion and big benefit it is to the region and sailing local community.
Volunteers vary from Becky Martinez of nearby Navy Yacht Club of Lengthy Seashore, who is keen on staying a golfing cart driver on the pier to new LBYC member Jim Parker, who admitted. “It wasn’t quite difficult to rope me in!
“I’m receiving prepared to retire and want to get again into sailing, so I advised the organizers my timetable is flexible: set me where ever they want enable.” Parker included, “And I volunteered my wife as well!”
There are early morning crew who employees the breakfast buffet, on-the-drinking water marshals and race committee, pier internet hosting, boat hosting and the ubiquitous ‘Yellow Hats.’ Correctly outfitted in yellow baseball caps, these fast paced bees swarm the dock pre- and article-racing, to guarantee the fleet of a person-layout Catalina 37s is entirely geared up, repaired, maintained, and secure for racing.
And then there is the Snow family.
Julie Snow said they have been volunteering for 10 many years. She started out off as a boat hostess and expanded to housing a crew in their dwelling. In the meantime, spouse Bob is co-chair of the Sponsorship committee.
“All of the men we host are literally element of our household!” explained Snow. “When we begun and our son was very little, the crew utilized to just take him to elementary college in the early morning in the golf cart. Now he is 15 and they are practically like brothers to him, and even acquire him sailing with them. Internet hosting has introduced so considerably friendship and camaraderie into our lives.”
“It’s like owning your favorite baseball crew appear remain at your house,” Macy added. “You produce a personalized romantic relationship and abruptly you’re rooting for them: not just in this party, but all above the entire world. There is no improved way to get immersed in it.”
On the other hand, Macy pointed out, volunteer posts are not all as intensive as web hosting: helpers don’t require to have a specialised talent established nor dedicate every working day of the week. “And they’re not all ‘sexy’ jobs,” he conceded. “But all the components incorporate to make a person awesome occasion!”
Macy is clearly very pleased of LBYC members’ ongoing accomplishment and the throughout the world recognition and status the Congressional Cup brings to the 92-yr-aged yacht club. “It’s the only Quality A person and the only Earth Match Racing Tour end in the US on one of the most premiere sailing venues in the entire world, with dependable wind and a breakwater that creates a flat inland sailing natural environment,” he boasted.
It is this combine that will bring 10 of the worlds’ top match racing execs to Prolonged Seashore, Calif. September 14 to 19 for the 56th Congressional Cup.
“The Congressional Cup is synonymous with Long Seaside Yacht Club,” Macy continued. ”And we rely on every person to get concerned in each and every element, since there is no-just one else to switch to, to make it occur. It is us! It is who we are and what we do, every single year: pull together to host this entire world-course, one-of-a-variety party. And the sailors enjoy us for it. They are so fired up to be right here and we are so thrilled to have them!”
This year’s Congressional Cup roster features: defending champion Ian Williams (GBR), Eric Monnin (SUI), Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL), Maxime Mesnil (FRA), Johnie Berntsson (SWE), Taylor Canfield (United states of america), Phil Robertson (NZL).
The Congressional Cup was cancelled in 2020 because of to COVID-19, building 2019 champion Williams the longest reigning title-holder in record. But the 6-time World Champion is also a quadruple winner of the Crimson Blazer – 2011, 2012, 2017, and 2019 – and tied with Taylor Canfield, Gavin Brady, Rod Davis, and Peter Holmberg with four wins each individual.
If Williams can clinch victory in 2021, he’ll also develop into the winningest skipper in the 56-year background of this prestigious celebration. On the other hand, Canfield – with Congressional Cup victories in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018 – also has his eye on the title.
Racing commences September 15 off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, starting with a Double Round Robin followed by semi-finals and petite finals, with finals on September 19.
The Congressional Cup is a World Championship Function in the 2021 Planet Match Racing Tour, but is ideal recognised as the ‘grandfather of match racing.’ Founded in 1965 by Very long Beach front Yacht Club (LBYC), organizers revolutionized the game of match racing with on-the-drinking water umpiring, and by offering a fleet of equivalent 37-foot Catalina sloops to guarantee the competitiveness is a examination of talent and method.
For further information and facts: thecongressionalcup.com/
Entire world MATCH RACING TOUR
Launched in 2000, the Planet Match Racing Tour (WMRT) encourages the activity of match racing close to the world and is the longest running world wide qualified collection in the sport of sailing. The WMRT is awarded ‘Special Event’ position by the sport’s entire world governing body – World Sailing – and the winner of the WMRT each individual 12 months is crowned Earth Sailing Match Racing Entire world Winner.
Past champions involve Sir Ben Ainslie (GBR), Taylor Canfield (United states of america), Peter Gilmour (AUS), Magnus Holmberg (SWE), Peter Holmberg (ISV), Adam Minoprio (NZL), Torvar Mirsky (AUS), Bertrand Speed (FRA), Jesper Radich (DEN), Phil Robertson (NZL) and Ian Williams (GBR).
Due to the fact 2000, the Planet Match Racing Tour and its gatherings have awarded around USD23million in prize dollars to sailors which has served to contribute to the vocation pathway of several of today’s expert sailors. www.wmrt.com
Source: LBYC
