SSL Team Switzerland, led by skipper and capitan of the SSL Team Eric Monnin, secured an impressive second place at the 61st Congressional Cup, one of the most prestigious match racing events in the world.
Monnin and his experienced crew: Julien Falxa, Maxime Mesnil, Jean Claude Monnin, Marc Monnin, Ute Monnin Wagner, and Cyril Schüpbach — entered the competition as the defending champions, having won the 2025 edition of the event in the United States.
The Congressional Cup is widely recognized as the “granddaddy” of modern world-class match racing, being the premier and longest-running event of its kind in North America.
A turning point in the regatta came during the semifinals. On Saturday, Monnin found himself trailing Sweden’s Johnie Berntsson 0–2. However, on Sunday, with elimination looming, the Swiss skipper delivered a flawless performance, winning three consecutive races to secure a place in the finals.
Throughout the event, the SSL Team Switzerland competed in official SSL uniforms, proudly representing their country at the highest level of sailing. Their strong performance is an encouraging sign ahead of the upcoming SSL Gold Cup finals in Rio de Janeiro this autumn. It is worth noting that Switzerland has qualified through the ranking system and is currently set to begin the finals from the Round of 16, grouped with Denmark.
In the final, however, Monnin and his crew were defeated by Australia’s Cole Tapper and his team: Max Brennan, Jack Frewin, Nathan Gulliksen, George Richardson, and Hamish Vass. Tapper dominated the defending champions, winning the final series 3–0 in the five-day regatta.
Third place was claimed by the American team led by Chris Poole, alongside Joachim Aschenbrenner, Bernardo Freitas, Mal Parker, Lars Rosendahl, and Harry West.
Congratulations!
SSL RANKING CHANGES: here
Full results from the 61st Congressional Cup: here