Cole Tapper and crew dominate closing to win Congressional Cup

Kairos Racing crew, with CYCA’s Cole Tapper on the helm, has been topped champion of the 61st Congressional Cup (29 April – 3 May) in Long Beach, California, after dominating defending champion Eric Monnin and his crew (Switzerland) 3-0 within the closing. 

It is the second time within the occasion’s 61-year historical past that an Australian crew has topped the rostrum. The final time an Australian crew gained the occasion was in 1988, with Peter Gilmour (Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club) on the helm. 

Winners are grinners – Congressional Cup/Ian Roman Photography pic.

After lacking out on the ultimate within the 2025 version to put third, Tapper and his crew of Max Brennan, Jack Frewin, Nathan Gulliksen, George Richardson and Hamish Vass had been decided to elevate their recreation. 

But it wasn’t straightforward to get there. In a nail-biting semi-final towards the American crew led by Chris Poole, it appeared that reaching the ultimate was only a dream. The Australians clawed their means again from 0-2 down, nonetheless, successful the final three races of 5 to safe their spot. 

Tapper and his crew — winners of the final two consecutive Governor’s Cup occasions — went into the ultimate with a ready-to-win angle, and it paid off. They nailed each pre-start manoeuvre, each tack and spinnaker set to close Monnin out of a single race win. 

On their victory, Tapper stated: “Today was a very superior day. We went into it with medium expectations, we knew we had an enormous job to do to be right here however I’m so glad we’ve carried out it.  

“The team is so happy; it was quiet for a second on board when we finished. We’re just really stoked.” 

All six sailors have come via the CYCA’s Youth Sailing Academy (YSA) program and are a chief instance of the top quality of its pathways — delivered by CYCA head coach Jordan Reece. 

The successful crew and coach Jordan Reece (left) cooling down after their race win – Congressional Cup/Ian Roman Photography pic.

CYCA Commodore Sam Haynes couldn’t be prouder of the resilience the Australian crew. 

“Congratulations to Cole and the crew on a sensational performance at the Congressional Cup,” Haynes stated. “All of them have come via the Youth Sailing Academy and stay Club members. Their outcome at the moment displays the sturdy work ethic and excellent program that Jordan and his crew have constructed.  

“We can’t wait to celebrate with them when they return from the US.” 

Cole Tapper within the zone – Congressional Cup/Ian Roman Photography pic.

About the occasion: 

“The Long Beach Yacht Club Congressional Cup is recognised as the ‘granddaddy’ of modern world-class match racing: the premier and longest running event of its kind in North America.”