thelog.com
Congressional Cup runneth over with fun for Long Beach kids
By Betsy Crowfoot
LONG BEACH — Youth sailors from Long Beach Yacht Club got a test of both skills and scruples when they squared off against the skippers of the Congressional Cup, in a fun and frivo- lous evening regatta off the Naples- based club. Taking a break from the intense competition of the Congressional Cup – an annual Grade 1 match racing event that brings the world’s top ISAF- ranked skippers to Long Beach – 10 Congressional Cup skippers pitted against a field of 10 Long Beach YC junior sailors selected for the Junior Congressional Cup. Lunging off the dock in a La Mans-
style start aboard Naples Sabots, the fleet wafted out into the channel for an around-the-buoys race. But the wind was feeble and the sabot slow. “It was very light, so you have to
stay very far forward in the boat,” explained 13-year-old Mac Griggs, who tied for first along with Matthew Petro, 12; with Peter Sangmeister, 12, close behind. “It was definitely funny to see how hard they [the Congressional Cup skippers] tried to go fast, yet how slow they moved.”
Some of the pros resorted to less
scrupulous devices: paddling, rocking and ooching to propel themselves in the waning zephyrs. And New Zealand’s Phil Robertson flung water at his foes with a bailer, while Scott Dickson (U.S.) tried to flip his rivals’ dinghies. Dave Perry (U.S.) grabbed a race committee boat and was towed around the course – much to the cha- grin of a youngster who squealed, “You’re cheating!” It could not have been more of a
contrast from the main Congressional Cup event being raced off the Belmont Pier April 7 to April 13. Those clashes commence with impeccably timed and maneuvered pre-start sequences, by competitors who duel two-by-two, including five of the top 10 ISAF- ranked skippers from around the world: Taylor Canfield, No. 1, USVI; Ian Williams, No. 2, GBR; Phil Robertson, No. 4, NZL; Mathieu Richard, No. 5, FRA; and Keith Swinton, No. 7, AUS. Along the way, they are trailed closely by watchful on-the-water umpires to ensure fair play. Matches are sailed in identical Catalina 37 race boats designed specifically for the event, as racers vie for the iconic Crimson Blazer honors, in the event which is – for
Butler Invitational sails into San Diego, May 24
SAN DIEGO – The 2014 Butler Invitational is ready for its annual run beginning, May 24. The race features a day of racing and a party at Oceanside Yacht Club. Racers then have the option of racing to Southwestern Yacht Club in a second race held, May 25. Sponsored by Southwestern and
Oceanside yacht clubs, the invitational consists of a 22 mile course that takes racers from the Mission Bay breakwater to end of the Oceanside Pier. Sailboats — with plenty of 40 footers and some as large as 60 feet – are wel- come to join in the upwind race, which had a roster of closer to 100 sailors last year.
David Albert, port captain for
Oceanside YC, anticipates the club will help approximately 40 racers find a place to tie up at the end of I Dock in the harbor. Racers are then invited to join in the Caribbean-themed festivities hosted by the yacht club, which includes good food, music, libations and an award ceremony. Competitors are welcome to partici- pate in the Oceanside to Southwestern race on May 25. The 30 mile course starts at the Oceanside Pier and ends at Southerwestern YC where an award cer- emony takes place the following day. For more information on the Butler Invitational, visit
southwesternyc.org,
The Log • April 25 - May 8, 2014 • 25
Junior sailors raced their best race in an effort to best their competitors — experienced Congressional Cup captains. The Junior Congressional Cup pitted younger sailors against old salts who did anything they could to outrace the novice sailors.
many – a gateway to the America’s Cup. “This is a good way to
encourage kids to think about a future in sailing, and stay in sailing,” said Johnie Berntsson, ranked 18 in the world; whose daughter Lynn, 10, and son Elias, 7, are active junior sailors at home in Sweden.
After the race, the star- studded panel of skippers lined up to sign auto- graphs and caps for the children. “It’s really important for kids to have role models in sailing,” Berntsson continued, “although these kids are much faster and know how to sail these boats bet- ter than us.” “It was pretty funny to see them try
as hard as they could to beat us,” added Petro, who was quick to shake hands with co-victor Griggs the moment they reached the dock. A run- ner-up in the Junior Congressional Cup in 2012 and 2013, Petro said he had been looking forward to this event all year.
And what was his secret to winning, against such high level talent? “Not cheating. Take the moral high
road and just do the best you can.” The Congressional Cup regatta is one of the world’s premiere match-rac- ing events since 1965, perennially drawing the top names such as Dennis Conner, Ted Turner, Dean Barker, Jimmy Spithill, and the like. It is hosted each spring by the Long Beach Yacht Club and a band of volunteers more than 300-strong. — Jo Murray contributed to this report
Racers from San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles are expected to head out to Oceanside for two days of racing.
Joysailing photos
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