Ficker Cup Skippers Set for Long Beach Regatta

Event logistics and boat provisioning at Long Beach

Organizers will stage the fleet of Catalina 37 type boats for the Ficker Cup at Long Beach Yacht Club berths, with on-site rigging windows and shore support scheduled to minimize downtime between match races. Because the WMRT and LBYC are supplying identical boats, teams avoid the complexity and cost of transporting personal boats or arranging customs clearance — a practical move that streamlines crew logistics and frees up marina space for visiting charters and spectator craft.

Operational notes for teams and shore crews

• Boat provisioning: Catalina 37s provided by the organizing authority; basic spares and sail inventory to be kept on-site.
• Rigging and check-in: Scheduled rigging days prior to April 24 to ensure fair tuning time for all skippers.
• Berthing and tendering: Temporary moorings for support boats and charter tenders will be coordinated with marina control.
• Transport and accommodation: Many international skippers will use local crew and rental services rather than shipping full yachts, which reduces handling and port fees.

Confirmed skippers and national representation

The field for April 24–26 includes eight skippers representing five countries and several prominent yacht clubs. As listed by the organizers, the winner and the runner-up will qualify for a berth at the Congressional Cup — an incentive that tightens competition and encourages high-level tactics from the start.

Skipper roster

1. Oscar Engström, Sweden
2. Nicole Breault, USA — representing St. Francis Yacht Club (StFYC)
3. Lennard Bal, Netherlands
4. Patryk Zbroja, Poland
5. Tom Picot, Australia
6. Ruairi Finnegan, Ireland
7. Chris Weis, USA — representing Richmond Yacht Club
8. Scotty Dickson, USA — representing Long Beach Yacht Club (LBYC)

Race format and competitive stakes

Matches will be run under World Match Racing Tour protocols aboard the supplied boats, which levels the hardware playing field and shifts emphasis to tactics, helming and crew work. With two Congressional Cup qualification spots on offer, expect tight starts, aggressive pre-start maneuvers and a premium on quick sail changes.

What to watch for on the water

• Quick maneuvers in confined match-race lanes
• Local wind patterns around the breakwater that favor short tacks
• How skippers adapt tuning and crew roles to the standardized Catalina 37 platforms

Impact on local charter markets and marinas

Hosting an international WMRT stop brings ripple effects: charter demand for spectator boats, short-term rental bookings, and an uptick in marina services like provisioning and fuel. For GetBoat.com users, the event often signals increased availability of captained charters for race viewing, and local operators may list special packages — a classic case of "busy season" for captains and crew alike.

Practical tips for charterers and spectators

If you plan to rent a boat or book a captain to watch the action, reserve early: marinas near Long Beach tend to fill up quickly around regattas. Consider smaller day-charters or multi-crew rentals that allow quick docking near viewing points, and remember that identical boats in match racing make for excellent learning opportunities if you’re a sailor looking to sharpen tactics.

All told, the Ficker Cup lineup brings experienced match racers and rising stars to Long Beach, racing on uniform Catalina 37 platforms under WMRT rules. The event tightens connections between competitive yachting and local boating economies, from marina services to charter bookings — smooth sailing for spectators but a real grind for crews, as they say, when the starting horn goes off.

Wrap-up: The announced skippers — Oscar Engström, Nicole Breault, Lennard Bal, Patryk Zbroja, Tom Picot, Ruairi Finnegan, Chris Weis and Scotty Dickson — will race April 24–26 on Catalina 37 type boats supplied by the organizers. Logistics favor reduced boat transport, shore provisioning and increased charter activity around Long Beach. For yacht enthusiasts and charter clients, this means more options for watching high-level match racing and booking captained boats. Key words to remember: yacht, charter, boat, beach, rent, lake, sailing, captain, sale, Destinations, superyacht, activities, yachting, sea, ocean, boating, gulf, water, sunseeker, marinas, clearwater, fishing.