FREE sailing and SUP boarding event this week and weekend in Long Beach

Watch this FREE Sailing event from the Belmont Pier. 90 Races over five days – Daily Noon to 5pm.

‘Sail and Savor’ Tasting Event – Friday night.

Finals on Sat 3/26 with Vendor Expo. Sponsored by Friedmans.

The 47th annual running of the Congressional Cup, one of the oldest and most prestigious match race sailing events in the world, is scheduled March 22-26 (Tuesday through Saturday). The one-on-one match race format, as used in the America’s Cup, is raced over a short course with intense action as close as physically possible to spectators on the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier.

Admission to the pier is FREE and open to the public, with limited grandstand seating. Snacks, refreshments and comfort stations are available. For most of its history, the Congressional Cup has been the only Grade 1 match race regatta sailed in the United States. Each boat sails against every other boat at least twice in a round-robin format, starting at five-minute intervals, for 90 total races over five days to determine the four semifinalists. The final four will race for the event’s unique prize—the Crimson Blazer—on Saturday. Racing starts daily at 12 noon and usually runs until 5 p.m. The boats, provided by the Long Beach Sailing Foundation, are identical Catalina 37s, with crews of six. There are no technical advantages. Close calls and extreme boat maneuvering in the pre-start sequence are essential in establishing the lead advantage at the start. Follow the thrilling action of these world-class athletes with live commentary!

Additional Festivities:

Sail and Savor – Featuring some of the best local restaurants, a tasting event will be held on the Belmont Pier Friday night March 25th 2011 starting at 5:00pm. Tickets can be purchased that evening for $20 Adult. Entertainment by The Wilsons.

Con Cup SUP – LBYC is proud to add Stand Up Paddle boarding to the Congressional Cup Program. Saturday March 26th 9:00am at the Belmont Pier. The first Con Cup SUP race will consist of a two mile (four laps) stand up paddle race around the Belmont Pier. The racers will be within yards of the pier during the entire race.

Finals & Vendor Expo – There will also be a vendor expo set up on the Pier during the exciting Finals on Saturday March 26th at 11:00am.

Click here to learn more.