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The Log • Feb. 12 - 25, 2016 • 27 52nd Congressional Cup mixes it up with Barkow
LONG BEACH — The Congressional Cup, which is known as the grandfa- ther of modern match racing, will fea- ture a roster of top ISAF-ranked skip- pers during the 2016 series hosted by Long Beach Yacht Club, April 5-10. This year Sally Barkow, the 2015
World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) femare Tour Card Holder, will return to compete in the 52nd annual Congressional Cup alongside several notable racers. “In the past we have welcomed
Betsy Alison, five-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year, and Olympic medalist JJ Fetter, to our field of com- petitors,” said Congressional Cup Chairman Camille Daniels. “Our her- itage is all about having the best sailors in the world, competing in our spec- tacular venue in equalized boats.” The regatta is sailed in identical 37-
foot Catalina keelboats designed specifically for the event. “We’re excited to see Sally return to
Congressional Cup this season,” said Daniels, noting that Barkow competed in the Congressional Cup in 2010, after winning the Ficker Cup qualifier. “She’s exhibited extraordinary skills in a vari- ety of sailing disciplines – match rac- ing, the Olympics, and most recently the Volvo Ocean Race, as tactician of Team SCA. “She’s already proved she can mix it up with the boys,” Daniels added, cit- ing Barkow’s performance last month in the M32 Series in Bermuda. Barkow’s all-female crew includes
2014 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year Stephanie Roble. The event promises top-notch spec- tating, as the friendly foes compete also against fellow Tour Card Holders Björn Hansen (SWE), Eric Monnin (SUI), Phil Robertson (NZL), Nicolai Sehested (DEN), Keith Swinton (AUS), and Ian Williams (GBR); plus Grand Slam winner Sam Gilmour (AUS) and ISAF No. 9-ranked Chris Steele (NZL). The two final entrants will be deter- mined April 1-3 in the Ficker Cup regatta, also hosted by Long Beach YC. The Congressional Cup has been one of the world’s premier match-rac- ing events since 1965 – and a gateway for yachting greats like Dean Barker, Dennis Conner, Ted Turner, Bill Ficker, Peter Holmberg, Taylor Canfield, and many more. The regatta pioneered on- the-water umpiring in 1988 and set the bar for high-level match racing compe- tition, according to race organizers. More than 300 volunteers helped with the event. The race can be viewed from the
Long Beach Veteran Memorial Pier. Visit
thecongressionalcup.com for more information.
Spectators and sailors alike will gather in Long Beach in April to watch the action-packed Congressional Cup. This year marks the cup’s 52nd year run.
Photos courtesy of Bob Grieser
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