World Match Racing Tour: Theo Westerlind Joins Ficker Cup Line-Up

THEO WESTERLIND ADDED TO FICKER CUP LINE-UP April 22, 2026 — The World Match Racing Tour confirmed on Wednesday that Swedish skipper Theo Westerlind has been added to the competitor roster for the 2026 Ficker Cup, set to take place April 24–26 at the Long Beach Yacht Club in California. Westerlind, who currently holds a world ranking of #88, joins an international field of match racers vying for critical invitations to the 2026 Congressional Cup. The Ficker Cup serves as a World Tour WS Grade 2 qualifier event, with the top two finishers earning direct entry into the Congressional Cup — a premier championship stage of the World Match Racing Tour also hosted by Long Beach Yacht Club. The event honors Bill Ficker, the legendary Star class champion and 1970 America’s Cup-winning skipper of Intrepid, whose famous phrase “Ficker is quicker” became a sailing icon during his victorious campaign against Gretel II. Other confirmed skippers for the 2026 Ficker Cup include Oscar Engströ m of Sweden (ranked #8), Nicole Breault of the United States (#19), Tom Picot of Australia (#23), Ruairi Finnegan of Ireland (#28), Patryk Zbroja of Poland (#30), Christopher Weis of the United States (#109) and Scotty Dickson of the United States (#214). As a WS Grade 2 qualifier, the Ficker Cup plays a key role in determining eligibility for higher-tier events on the World Match Racing Tour calendar. With the Congressional Cup representing a World Championship stage, the April competition in Long Beach carries significant weight for skippers aiming to elevate their standings on the global circuit. The tournament will unfold over three days of racing, with results to be finalized following the conclusion of matches on April 26. Updates, including live coverage and official outcomes, will be available through the World Match Racing Tour’s official channels.