Tapper dominates debut Congressional Cup final to secure first Crimson Blazer

At just 23, Cole Tapper claimed his first Crimson Blazer in Long Beach with a performance that outclassed competitors who boast decades of experience to their names.

In what is only his third Congressional Cup appearance, the Australian coolly dispatched two-time winner Chris Poole in the semi-final before dominating reigning champion Eric Monnin three races to nil in the 61st Congressional Cup final.

Awarded as part of the World Match Racing Tour, Tapper's Congressional Cup Crimson Blazer puts his name among the greats. He is the first Australian to secure the blazer since Peter Gilmour in 1988. 

It’s well-timed too, arriving amid the ill-kept secret of Australia’s America’s Cup campaign. At 23, with a Crimson Blazer now in his wardrobe, Tapper will be a difficult name to ignore come selection time.

Tapper and Riptide Racing’s Chris Poole went two apiece in their semi-final before the fifth and deciding race between them.

It was a tense battle with progression to the 61st Congressional Cup final coming down to the tightest of penalty calls from the umpires.

An uncharacteristically poor start to the deciding race from Poole meant Tapper could attack early. A start line dial down by the Australian, resulting in a green flag from the umpires, brought the boats neck and neck.

As the boats came together for the next cross, it was Poole with the attacking move, dialling down Tapper. With plenty of leverage, Poole picked his angle early and aimed for the Australians as they scarpered to keep clear.

Tapper, aiming to keep his nose clean, kept his flag down. It was Poole, the attacker, who raised the yankee flag in an attempt to penalise his opponent.

After what felt like an eternity, the umpires locked in their call and awarded Poole the penalty for dialling below 90 degrees to the wind. A penalty he had no chance of clearing for the remainder of the race.

The two-time champion, with ambitions of a future America’s Cup campaign, was out of the 61st Congressional Cup. The first final the team had missed since 2022.

Poole said: “That first one of the day today, the steering completely gave out. We were in a controlling position, and that, unfortunately, was the first domino to fall, and we just couldn't quite pull it together.

“Congrats to Cole Tapper and his team for getting through. Unfortunately, we just couldn't get a few things to go our way. That's racing.“

Poole then addressed the deciding penalty: “Yeah, I didn't think we were infringing on 90 degrees with the wind shift to the left. So it's a very odd call, but, you know, that's racing, we live and die by the umpire's decisions, whether they're right or wrong.”

Both Monnin and Tapper went into the final on form, winning the last three races of their respective semi-finals.

In race one of the first-to-three final, a split-tack start put both teams on an even footing, but a dial down by Tapper on the first leg saw the Australian take first blood as Monnin was awarded a penalty.

The Swiss skipper stayed right on the tail of the Australian as they looked to hit back and clear their penalty. On the last downwind leg, Monnin initiated an attack with an aggressive gybe towards Tapper, followed by a hard luff. A move the umpires deemed too aggressive. Monnin picked up his second penalty of the race, gifting Tapper victory in race one.

Tapper followed up with a second race win as Monnin’s team struggled with boat handling and crew work.

After losing the first two races, Monnin was in a must-win position going into race three. A nail-bitingly tight cross on port tack was an indicator of his intent as Monnin barely cut across Tapper's bow. The Swiss skipper was leaving no holds barred, but it wasn’t enough.

Tapper was in clear control, pinning Monnin on the first two legs and forcing the Swiss into a port-starboard penalty. Whether a professional foul for damage limitation or a simple error under pressure, it gave Monnin’s crew a lot to do as they fought a spinnaker sheet that ventured under the hull.

Monnin's crew scrambled to recover, but Tapper continued to extend.

The Australians’ lead wasn’t to be threatened, as Tapper crossed the line to be crowned the 61st Congressional Cup Champion.

The winning skipper said, “I think this is so easily the most satisfying moment I've ever had sailing. I’m so stoked.

“I’m so happy with the team, those boys just lifted so hard for the series. I couldn't even speak when we finished, I'm so happy.”

Commenting on his team’s route to the final, the Aussie said, “Yeah, we definitely had a lot of ups and downs, including yesterday, when we went out and didn’t win a race. So it was all about just keeping a good mentality and going out hard when it mattered.”

Monnin, gracious in defeat, said, “I think we had three close matches, he was just better than us in some key moments. So that means he has a well-deserved win, and congratulations to Cole for his first Crimson Blazer. Today, he was better than us, for sure.

“We had quite a good week, of course, with ups and downs. I want to thank my team for getting me around the race course and helping us catch up throughout the week.

“But yeah, Cole is a great champion, it’s a well-deserved win for him, congratulations.”

Beating seasoned match racers with such composure leaves no doubt about Tapper's talent. His success in Long Beach, combined with his role as skipper of the Australian Youth America's Cup Challenge in Barcelona, will put him firmly in the conversation when Australia shapes its challenge for the 2027 America's Cup in Naples. A first Crimson Blazer and surely not his last.

Placings and prize money

First Place: Cole Tapper $20,000 USD

Second Place: Eric Monnin $15,000 USD

Third Place: Chris Poole $10,000 USD