Long Beach Ficker Cup: Eight Skippers to Race Catalina 37s

The Ficker Cup will be sailed April 24–26 in Long Beach using Catalina 37-type boats provided by the organizers, with the event acting as a World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) stop where the first- and second-place finishers will qualify for the Congressional Cup.

Confirmed Skipper Lineup and Event Logistics

Eight teams have been announced for the SoCal stop, with three American skippers among the confirmed competitors. The roster balances international representation and local talent: Nicole Breault will sail for St. Francis Yacht Club (StFYC), Scotty Dickson will race on behalf of the Long Beach Yacht Club (LBYC), and Chris Weis represents Richmond Yacht Club. Match racing aboard identical Catalina 37s will emphasize boat-on-boat tactics, crew work and pre-start positioning rather than equipment advantages.

Regatta chair Tom Camp described the roster as a strong field, noting that each skipper has demonstrated competitive credentials on the WMRT or in previous Ficker Cup editions: “All of the skippers selected have proven their mettle either in previous Ficker Cups or on the World Match Racing Tour. Any of the eight could win it.” The event schedule and race format are designed to maximize close-quarters match racing across the harbor approaches and nearshore race areas.

Format, Race Area and Support Vessels

Racing will follow match-race protocols with one-on-one duels and a flight schedule to produce semi-final and final pairings. Using supplied Catalina 37 yachts levels the playing field: sail inventory, rig settings and hull tuning are standardized, focusing outcomes on skipper decisions and crew performance. Support craft, safety boats and on-water umpires will stage from Long Beach Yacht Club docks, with shore-side race management coordinating launching windows and protest hearings.

• Dates: April 24–26
• Boats: Catalina 37-type provided by organizers
• Qualification: Top two qualify for the Congressional Cup
• Race area: Long Beach nearshore and harbor approaches

Why the Catalina 37 Class Matters for Match Racing

The Catalina 37 platform has been a staple for match racing because it is robust, easily resettable between races, and forgiving for repeated short-course match-racing maneuvers. For event logistics this implies quicker turnaround between matches and a reduced need for bespoke shore support compared with one-design high-performance classes. For local marinas and service providers, staging multiple Catalina 37s means predictable mooring, fueling and maintenance loads over the regatta window.

Operational Advantages

Standardized boats reduce equipment disputes, minimize freight and rigging complexity, and lower the technical threshold for visiting teams. Organizers can focus resources on race management, umpiring and spectator operations rather than boat transport and custom setup—factors that lower event operating costs and make WMRT events more reproducible in coastal destinations.

Brief Historical Context of the Ficker Cup and WMRT

The Ficker Cup has long been a fixture in Southern California match-racing, attracting a mix of regional and international skippers. Historically, it has served as a proving ground for skippers who later contest larger invitational match-racing trophies such as the Congressional Cup. The World Match Racing Tour itself evolved from grassroots match-racing circuits into a professionalized tour that emphasizes televised pairings, sponsor visibility, and standardized venues—trends that shaped modern one-on-one sailing competitions.

Match racing’s history is tied to tactical, close-quarters sailing traditions; events like the Ficker Cup have preserved and adapted those traditions to contemporary regatta logistics and media expectations. Over the years, organizers have favored platforms and formats that facilitate spectator engagement and clear umpire adjudication, which in turn boosts tourism and local economic activity.

Implications for Local Sailing Communities

For host clubs such as Long Beach Yacht Club and visiting affiliations like St. Francis Yacht Club and Richmond Yacht Club, the event offers opportunities for youth clinics, shore-side activations and local volunteer engagement. Marina operators and charter businesses in the region typically see an uptick in inquiries for private spectator boats, classroom-style coaching sessions, and short-term charter demand around high-profile regatta dates.

What the Ficker Cup Means for Tourism and Boating Activity

Looking ahead, events of this caliber can boost short-term demand for marine-related services—rental boats, spectator charters, private skipper services and shore-side hospitality. Match-racing regattas often attract visiting crews, family supporters and sailing fans who fill local hotels, marinas and waterfront restaurants. For operators in the charter and rental sector, regatta weekends present commercial opportunities to offer tailored yacht or boat packages, captain-for-hire services, and coastal sightseeing itineraries that tie into race viewing.

• Increased demand for short-term boat rent and charter packages.
• Growth in marina services and transient moorage bookings.
• Opportunities for local captains to provide spectator and hospitality cruises.
• Cross-promotion of coastal destinations, fishing trips and water-based activities.

Practical Notes for Visitors and Competitors

Competitors should expect uniform boat allocation at the event briefing; shore crew access will be controlled to maintain equality. Spectators seeking on-water views may consider booking small charter boats in advance; shore-side vantage points and marina promenades will also offer viewing. Logistics for teams include pre-registration, measurement checks where necessary, and briefing attendance to align with the published Notice of Race.

The Ficker Cup’s combination of a standardized Catalina 37 fleet, a compact match-racing format and the qualifying incentive for the Congressional Cup make it an attractive stop on the WMRT calendar. The event will likely spur temporary increases in marina traffic, demand for charter and rent services, and engagement with local yachting communities. For those interested in yacht charter, boat rent, spectator boating, or hiring a captain to view the races from the water, GetBoat.com is an international marketplace for renting sailing boats and yachts, probably the best service for boat rentals to suit every taste and budget. In summary: eight international and American skippers will contest close-quarters match racing in Catalina 37s at Long Beach April 24–26; the top two progress to the Congressional Cup; and the event will boost local boating activity, charter demand, marinas and water-based tourism around the beach and harbor.