The 2018 Flicker Cup concluded on Sunday in Long Beach where American Dean Barker dominated the Grade Two World Sailing regatta to advance to the Congressional Cup. Johnie Berntsson (SWE) also qualified with a second place finish.
The Long Beach Yacht Club hosts the Congressional Cup this weekend at the stadium racecourse off Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier.
Final Results
1. Dean Barker USA/–
2. Johnie Berntsson SWE/154
3. Chris Poole USA/54
4. Leonard Takahashi JAP/14
5. Dave Hood USA/136
6. Maxime Mesnil FRA/4
Peter Holz USA/24
8. Vladimir Lipavsky RUS/16
The Ficker Cup was founded in 1980 to honor Bill Ficker, a legendary yachtsman who helmed Intrepid to victory in the 1970 America’s Cup and won the Congressional Cup in 1974. It offers world-class match racing action in an equalized fleet of one-design Catalina 37s yachts. Chairman for the 2018 Ficker Cup was
Arleen Tolle. Ficker passed away in 2017; his daughter Deon Macdonald was on hand at the LBYC prizegiving to present the esteemed Ficker Cup to Barker.
“It’s an honor to win the trophy named after Bill Ficker,” Barker said. “This has been a fantastic opportunity for our American Magic team to go sailing in a competitive environment; and get back into the match racing game. It’s great for the soul to do this kind of racing, and race against these guys here.”
“It’s been a fantastic week,” Barker added. “It feels a little like coming home to Long Beach.” He has competed in three prior Congressional Cup regattas, winning the trophy in 2000 and 2005, while tactician Terry Hutchinson won it in 1992. Both are America’s Cup veterans, and key players in NYYC’s American Magic campaign to challenge for the AC in 2021. Other crew members are James Baxter, James Dagg, Sean Clarkson, Greg Gendell, and James Lyne, with Jennifer Tille on logistics.
THE CONGRESSIONAL CUP
Congressional Cup racing runs Wednesday April 16 through Sunday April 22, beginning at roughly 11:30AM in the waters off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, where spectators can enjoy commentary and camaraderie as they watch the competition. It is recognized as the ‘granddaddy’ of modern world-class match racing and the pioneer of on-the- water umpiring.
“What The Masters Green Jacket is to pro golfing, the Crimson Blazer is to yacht racing,” explained Congressional Cup Chairman Eric Dickinson. “The Congressional Cup is one of the most prestigious yacht racing events in the world and a gateway to the America’s Cup; and the members of Long Beach Yacht Club are proud to present this premier event for the 54th year.”
Long Beach Yacht Club is one of the nation’s premiere boating institutions since its founding in 1929, and is located at 6201 E. Appian Way in Long Beach.
Full further information and results please visit www.lbyc.org; for information on the Congressional Cup visit www.thecongressionalcup.com
