Anybody’s Game After First Day of Racing

Long Beach, USA (13th May): If anyone thought this year’s Congressional Cup racing might be predictable: guess again! Today’s opener – Qualifying Session One of the 51st annual Congressional Cup, and the start of the 2015/16 World Match Racing Tour – was anybody’s game.
Reigning ISAF Match Racing World Champion Ian Williams (GBR) tumbled to Chris Steele (NZL)
– who just last Sunday qualified for the Congressional Cup, by winning the Ficker Cup. Young Joachim Aschenbrenner ran top-five ranked Eric Monnin (SUI) up and over the line early, to take the start (and race); while defending Congressional Cup champion skipper Taylor Canfield (ISV) bowed to New Zealand’s Reuben Corbett (NZL). As commentator Steve Steiner announced, "It’s wild to see Taylor in the back: that’s not something you’re used to!" But it was leaderboard limbo, with nearly everyone getting a piece of the action, on this first of five days of racing in the breezy outer harbour of Long Beach, California.

The results were particularly exciting as the field includes several Congressional Cup virgins – a position often perceived to be a disadvantage: racing a new venue, on unfamiliar boats.
"It’s obviously hard to come and race in boats we’ve never sailed in before," said Bjorn Hansen, of Sweden. "We’re looking forward to increasing our level during the week and squeezing through to the semi-finals. And if we are able to do that; anything can happen in a Semi Final series,
"On the other hand I know it’s twelve really good teams here, so it is going to be tough," he added.
Hansen and Aschenbrenner are both competing in their first Congressional Cup, while Steele races for the first time as a skipper.

The Congressional Cup is hosted by Long Beach Yacht Club and is the season opener for the 2015/16 World Match Racing Tour. A total of 12 teams, from nine nations, are vying for the trophy and the iconic Crimson Blazer.