The Ficker Cup Match Race was established by Long Beach Yacht Club to honor Bill Ficker, world class Star champion in the 50s and winner of the 1970 America’s Cup as skipper of the 12-meter class yacht Intrepid.

During Intrepid’s 1970 America’s Cup campaign, the phrase “Ficker is quicker” was coined — later changed to “Ficker was quicker” when he beat Gretel II to win the cup. Bill also was the winner of the Congressional Cup in 1974.

Ficker Cup is a World Tour WS grade 2 qualifier event for Congressional Cup. For 2025, the top two skippers from this event will receive the final two invitations to the 2025 Congressional Cup, also hosted by Long Beach Yacht Club.

1.Zac West, AUS / Sail+ Racing

(Crew: TBC)

2.Peter Wickwire, CA/ Storm Match Racing

(Crew: TBC)

3.Maxime Mesnil, FRA/ Match in Black by Normandy Elite Team

(Crew: Eric Monnin, Ute Monnin-Wagner, Jean-Claude Monnin, Simon Brügger)

4.Aurelien Pierriz, FRA / Match Again by Normandy Elite Team

(Crew: Clement Michel, Aurelien Barthelemy, Sebastien Riot, Simon Berthau, Swann Hayewski, Joan Marion)

5.Pearson Potts, USA/ Guardian of the Monohull

(Crew:TBC)

6.Nicole Breault, USA/ Vela Racing

(Crew: Allie Blecher, Doug McLean, Dylan Finestone, Sidney Gathrid, Cameron Feves, Cade Morris)

7.Cormac Murphy, USA/ BSR

(Crew: TBC)

8.Ryan Seago, USA/ Bayview YC Match Race Team

(Crew: TBC)