There’s just one month to go before the world’s top-ranked skippers arrive in Long Beach to compete during the Long Beach Yacht Club (LBYC)’s 54th Congressional Cup regatta April 18-22. In addition, the lead-in Ficker Cup regatta promises to bring action-packed match racing featuring up-and-coming skippers and sailing legends Dean Barker and Terry Hutchinson.

Described as “the grandfather” of match racing, The Congressional Cup is one of the most prestigious top-level yachting events worldwide, according to LBYC. For more than five decades, the World Sailing Grade One competition has brought the best sailors to compete during five days of matches off the Long Beach coast.

Ian Williams (GBR) is expected to return this year to defend his title against Taylor Canfield (ISV), Harry Price (AUS), Sam Gilmour (AUS), Chris Steele (NZL), Eric Monnin (SUI), Joachim Aschenbrenner (DEN), Scott Dickson (USA) and two more competitors yet to be announced.

Racing kicks off on Wednesday, April 18, starting at about 11:30AM daily at the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier where spectators will be offered a great view of the action. Attendees can expect live commentary, food and drink vendors and the company of other sailing fans. Double round robin, semi-finals, petit final and final races will run through Sunday April 22, when the winner is awarded the silver Congressional Cup and prestigious Crimson Blazer.

Prior to the Congressional Cup, the Ficker Cup takes place April 13-15 at the LBYC at 6201 East Appian Way with three days of racing. Established in 1980 by yacht club to honor winning skipper of the 1970 America’s Cup and Star boat champion Bill Ficker, the World Sailing Grade Two event features double round robin racing leading up to a series of finals, according to the announcement.

The event is a qualifier for the Congressional Cup, sending the top two finishers to the prestigious event the following week.

Catch a live stream of the Congressional Cup on Facebook here, as well as the website here. Highlights and results from the Ficker Cup will be posted on the Congressional Cup website.

The Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier is located at 15 39th Place.

Asia Morris is a Long Beach native covering arts and culture for the Long Beach Post. You can reach her @hugelandmass on Twitter and Instagram and at [email protected].