LONG BEACH, CA (23 February, 2026): The Long Beach Yacht Club has announced the full lineup of eight skippers for the upcoming 2026 Ficker Cup match racing regatta, scheduled for April 24 – 26, 2026. This Grade 2 match race event on the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) serves as a qualifier for the Congressional Cup, with the top two finishers earning invitations to compete in the prestigious event from April 29 – May 3, 2026.
The Ficker Cup, named after the renowned Bill Ficker, features a distinguished field of returning competitors and new challengers. Long Beach Yacht Club’s Scotty Dickson, holding the record with 14 prior victories, aims to secure his 23rd Congressional Cup appearance. Scotty has placed second twice but has yet to clinch a win and will strive to change that in 2026.
Nicole Breault from St. Francis Yacht Club enters her fourth Ficker Cup after finishing second in 2025 and placing ninth in the Congressional Cup. Having led her Vela Racing team to first in the 2025 US Women’s Match Racing Championship, Nicole is determined to become the first woman to win the Congressional Cup.
Chris Weis, the 2023 Ficker Cup champion, returns after a commendable performance that saw him finish ninth in the Congressional Cup last year. His recent victories in the California Dreamin’ Series showcase his competitiveness as he embarks on this third Ficker Cup attempt.
Irish skipper Ruairi Finnegan returns after placing eighth in the 2023 regatta, looking to capitalise on his current #30 ranking on the WMRT Leaderboard.
Newcomers to the Ficker Cup include Patryk Zbroja from Poland, who currently ranks #25 on the WMRT Leaderboard and has been active in match racing since 2007. Tom Picot, an Australian with 11 years of match racing experience, will also make his debut, aiming for a top performance to boost his future standings on the Leaderboard.
Lennard Bal from the Netherlands makes his Ficker Cup appearance purportedly ranked #19 on the WMRT Leaderboard, promising potential given his recent transition into match racing.
Oscar Engström, from the Royal Gothenburg Yacht Club in Sweden, is currently ranked #4 on the WMRT Leaderboard. After a strong showing in prior events, including a second-place finish at the WMRT World Championship Final, Oscar could provide stiff competition for their qualifying slots.
Racing will take place on April 24 – 26, 2026, near the Congressional Cup Stadium, just off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in Long Beach, California. Free viewing will be available for spectators on race days. Following the Ficker Cup, the Congressional Cup, featuring ten of the world’s elite match racing skippers, will occur from April 29 – May 3, 2026.
For detailed information on the Ficker Cup and Congressional Cup, visit www.thecongressionalcup.com or www.wmrt.com.
2026 Ficker Cup Skippers
- Oscar Engström, SWE (WS rank #16)
- Nicole Breault, USA (WS rank #17)
- Lennard Bal, NED (WS rank #18)
- Patryk Zbroja, POL (WS rank #19)
- Tom Picot, AUS (WS rank #26)
- Ruairi Finnegan, IRL (WS rank #33)
- Chris Weis, USA (WS rank #68)
- Scotty Dickson, USA (WS rank #210)
World Sailing ranking as of 1 February 2026
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