This Weekend: World Class Yacht Racing in Long Beach at the Congressional Cup

Hosted by the Long Beach Yacht Club, the Congressional Cup is the longest running Grade-1 yacht race in North America.  The challenges and prestige of the race bring teams from all over the world to Long Beach.

Yachts stand ready for racing at the dock of the Long Beach Yacht Club.

Teams come from around the world to compete in the “Con Cup”. This year teams from Italy, New Zealand, Switzerland, Australia, France, and Great Britain will compete along with teams from the US.

For the teams competing, they have a shot at becoming part of the storied history of the Congressional Cup.  For us spectators, we get to see some awesome boat racing under the Southern California Sun!

Skipper Ian Williams will lead the British team in an attempt at a third consecutive win at the Congressional Cup.

The venue for the race is the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier (15 39^th Place, Long Beach, 90803).  As the boats sail around the Long Beach Harbor, jockeying for the best position, they sail right past the pier.  Sometimes close enough for spectators to reach out and touch them!

The racing last for four days, running from Noon until 6 PM from April 9 until Saturday, April 13.  The races leading up to Saturday are qualifiers for the final, nail biting match.

Along with the racing in the water, there’s plenty of entertainment on dry land.  Thursday evening the Long Beach Yacht Clubs hosts a Poolside Family Fiesta at the club ($15/adult, $10/child, 6201 E. Appian Way, Long Beach, 90803).

On Friday and Saturday, a day of racing ends with the Congressional Cup Celebration Party on the pier.  The Saturday party is preceded by the presentation of the trophy to the winning skipper and team.

Along with a trophy and medals, the winning team is presented with burgundy jackets.

2013 marks the 49^th anniversary of the Congressional Cup.  Whether you’ve been many times before or this is your first, now is a great time to get a taste of this event.  Next year’s golden anniversary is likely to be even bigger!

• Long Beach Yacht Club’s 49^th Annual Congressional Cup;
  Tuesday, April 9 – Saturday, April 13; Noon – 6 PM
  • http://www.thecongressionalcup.com
  • Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, 15 39^th Place, Long Beach, 90803