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Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Poole and Monnin seize control ahead of Congressional Cup finals
LONG BEACH, California - Under leaden skies and the lightest of breeze, the 60th Congressional Cup served up high-stakes drama on Saturday as four skippers secured semi-final berths in contrasting style. Chris Poole, of the U.S., and Switzerland's Eric Monnin advanced smoothly to the knockouts, while Long Beach's Dave Hood and Australia's Cole Tapper needed must-win races to reach the final four. Poole and Monnin now lead their respective semi-finals 2-0 over Tapper and Hood going into Sunday's finale. In Congressional Cup sailing, the skipper who finishes first in the round-robin stage can choose their semi-final opponent from three options, and Poole selected Tapper's Sydney crew before taking full advantage of pre-start chaos, with Tapper picking up multiple red-flag penalties. "We're back to where we were last year," said Poole. "Our plan is to keep improving one race at a time. We've been here twice before and feel like all the pieces are there." In the other semi, Monnin capitalised on light airs to secure a two-race cushion over Hood. "We weren't locked into the semi-finals to start the day, so it was a relief to win against Johnie Berntsson and then Chris Poole," Monnin said. "Now we hope to keep the momentum up." Hood remained undeterred: "We needed to come out and get it done and had a good race with Bjorn Hansen to make it through. We'll come out swinging against Eric tomorrow." Sunday's final will decide the winner of the Crimson Blazer at a regatta that has shaped match racing since 1965. Crews of six or seven compete in identical Catalina 37s, with 10 teams from seven nations taking part this year. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Poole and Monnin dominate as sailing's Congressional Cup nears climax
Summary Poole and Monnin lead semi-finals with 2-0 advantage Tapper and Hood secure semi-final spots with must-win races Congressional Cup concludes on Sunday with finals for Crimson Blazer LONG BEACH, California, May 4 (Reuters) - Under leaden skies and the lightest of breeze, the 60th Congressional Cup served up high-stakes drama on Saturday as four skippers secured semi-final berths in contrasting style. Chris Poole, of the U.S., and Switzerland's Eric Monnin advanced smoothly to the knockouts, while Long Beach's Dave Hood and Australia's Cole Tapper needed must-win races to reach the final four. Poole and Monnin now lead their respective semi-finals 2-0 over Tapper and Hood going into Sunday's finale. In Congressional Cup sailing, the skipper who finishes first in the round-robin stage can choose their semi-final opponent from three options, and Poole selected Tapper's Sydney crew before taking full advantage of pre-start chaos, with Tapper picking up multiple red-flag penalties. "We're back to where we were last year," said Poole. "Our plan is to keep improving one race at a time. We've been here twice before and feel like all the pieces are there." In the other semi, Monnin capitalised on light airs to secure a two-race cushion over Hood. "We weren't locked into the semi-finals to start the day, so it was a relief to win against Johnie Berntsson and then Chris Poole," Monnin said. "Now we hope to keep the momentum up." Hood remained undeterred: "We needed to come out and get it done and had a good race with Bjorn Hansen to make it through. We'll come out swinging against Eric tomorrow." Sunday's final will decide the winner of the Crimson Blazer at a regatta that has shaped match racing since 1965. Crews of six or seven compete in identical Catalina 37s, with 10 teams from seven nations taking part this year.
The Star
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Sailing-Poole schools the field as Congressional Cup turns 60
LONG BEACH, California (Reuters) -Defending champion Chris Poole has made a loud statement of intent at the 60th Anniversary Congressional Cup, steering his Riptide Racing team to six straight victories on Wednesday's opening day of competition. After morning light winds, Long Beach's signature sea breeze allowed organisers to complete six flights of the opening round-robin. "We had a great day today - the crew is working really well together and we are focusing on one race at a time, but a good start for us and we will build on the momentum," said American Poole, who seeks a third consecutive Crimson Blazer. Switzerland's Eric Monnin, Australia's Cole Tapper, and local skipper David Hood share second place with four wins apiece. Canada's Peter Wickwire claimed three victories, including upsets against veterans Eric Monnin and Johnie Berntsson. "Storm Match Racing is pretty excited about our first day. We've been watching Johnie and Eric for a long time - we've sailed against them before and they have always cleaned us up, so it was a pretty cool day for us to beat them both," said Wickwire. Spectators at Belmont Pier witnessed aggressive pre-starts and tight finishes as the world-class field showcased why the Congressional Cup remains one of match racing's premier events. The Congressional Cup, held annually in Long Beach, is one of sailing's premier match racing events. Founded in 1965, it helped pioneer modern rules and on-the-water umpiring. Skippers compete in identical Catalina 37s for the coveted Crimson Blazer, making it a key stop on the World Match Racing Tour and a proving ground for future America's Cup talent. Congressional Cup teams typically consist of six or seven members, who, combined, must remain within the maximum team weight limit of 525 kg. (Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
Reuters
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Poole schools the field as sailing's Congressional Cup turns 60
Summary Poole leads with six straight victories on opening day Monnin, Tapper, Hood tie for second with four wins each Wickwire upsets veterans Monnin and Berntsson with three wins LONG BEACH, California, May 1 (Reuters) - Defending champion Chris Poole has made a loud statement of intent at the 60th Anniversary Congressional Cup, steering his Riptide Racing team to six straight victories on Wednesday's opening day of competition. After morning light winds, Long Beach's signature sea breeze allowed organisers to complete six flights of the opening round-robin. "We had a great day today - the crew is working really well together and we are focusing on one race at a time, but a good start for us and we will build on the momentum," said American Poole, who seeks a third consecutive Crimson Blazer. Switzerland's Eric Monnin, Australia's Cole Tapper, and local skipper David Hood share second place with four wins apiece. Canada's Peter Wickwire claimed three victories, including upsets against veterans Eric Monnin and Johnie Berntsson. "Storm Match Racing is pretty excited about our first day. We've been watching Johnie and Eric for a long time - we've sailed against them before and they have always cleaned us up, so it was a pretty cool day for us to beat them both," said Wickwire. Spectators at Belmont Pier witnessed aggressive pre-starts and tight finishes as the world-class field showcased why the Congressional Cup remains one of match racing's premier events. The Congressional Cup, held annually in Long Beach, is one of sailing's premier match racing events. Founded in 1965, it helped pioneer modern rules and on-the-water umpiring. Skippers compete in identical Catalina 37s for the coveted Crimson Blazer, making it a key stop on the World Match Racing Tour and a proving ground for future America's Cup talent. Congressional Cup teams typically consist of six or seven members, who, combined, must remain within the maximum team weight limit of 525 kg.
Straits Times
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Poole schools the field as Congressional Cup turns 60
LONG BEACH, California - Defending champion Chris Poole has made a loud statement of intent at the 60th Anniversary Congressional Cup, steering his Riptide Racing team to six straight victories on Wednesday's opening day of competition. After morning light winds, Long Beach's signature sea breeze allowed organisers to complete six flights of the opening round-robin. "We had a great day today - the crew is working really well together and we are focusing on one race at a time, but a good start for us and we will build on the momentum," said American Poole, who seeks a third consecutive Crimson Blazer. Switzerland's Eric Monnin, Australia's Cole Tapper, and local skipper David Hood share second place with four wins apiece. Canada's Peter Wickwire claimed three victories, including upsets against veterans Eric Monnin and Johnie Berntsson. "Storm Match Racing is pretty excited about our first day. We've been watching Johnie and Eric for a long time - we've sailed against them before and they have always cleaned us up, so it was a pretty cool day for us to beat them both," said Wickwire. Spectators at Belmont Pier witnessed aggressive pre-starts and tight finishes as the world-class field showcased why the Congressional Cup remains one of match racing's premier events. The Congressional Cup, held annually in Long Beach, is one of sailing's premier match racing events. Founded in 1965, it helped pioneer modern rules and on-the-water umpiring. Skippers compete in identical Catalina 37s for the coveted Crimson Blazer, making it a key stop on the World Match Racing Tour and a proving ground for future America's Cup talent. Congressional Cup teams typically consist of six or seven members, who, combined, must remain within the maximum team weight limit of 525 kg. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
