Belmont Shore has turned into a waterfront arena this week, as the Congressional Cup brings Catalina 37s ripping past the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier in tight, one-on-one duels. The sport’s signature five-minute pre-start, a tactical “dial-up” where skippers scrap for control before the gun, often sets the tone long before the boats complete their two-lap sprint back to the pier. For locals, it adds up to free front-row seats, live play-by-play, and the occasional heart-stopping maneuver that sends hulls sliding within inches of the pier pilings.
What To Expect On The Water
The official racing window runs from April 29 to May 3, with public viewing from the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier and live commentary kicking off around 11:30 a.m., according to the Congressional Cup. The event’s Notice of Race sets the first attention signal for about 11:30 a.m., with matches sailed on windward-leeward, two-lap courses that finish back at the pier. Daily standings and match-by-match results are posted as the regatta unfolds on Match Racing Results.
Why The Prestart Matters
Veteran skippers will tell you the real fireworks happen before the starting horn, as boats fight for the favored end of the line and try to flip the script on their rivals. “You’re offense or defense at all times; it’s a game of chicken in the pre-start followed by a duel/knife fight around the course,” Dawn Riley told the Press-Telegram. Umpires shadow each pair in small chase boats and call fouls on the water, a system detailed in the event’s Notice of Race, so penalties are sorted immediately and the show keeps moving.
Boat Ramp Closure And Local Impact
Off the racecourse, not every boater is getting the same kind of access. The City of Long Beach shut down the Davies Boat Launch Ramp on April 27 for major renovations, temporarily closing the ramp, nearby restrooms, and adjacent parking while construction is underway, according to a city press release. The release notes that the ramp handled roughly 28,000 boaters last year and that the closure is expected to last into early 2027. Anyone who planned to launch into the harbor during Cup week is being pushed to alternate sites, with the city posting project details and updates online.
How To Follow The Racing
If you cannot make it to the pier, the racing is still easy to track from dry land. Event channels offer live streaming, and Match Racing Results provides minute-by-minute standings. Public parking near Termino Avenue tends to fill early on race days, and organizers have historically lined up complimentary golf-cart shuttles to the far end of the pier, along with food and beverage options for spectators, according to local event information. For real-time updates and daily recaps, fans can follow the Congressional Cup site and the live results feed.
A Waterfront In Transition
The match racing is unfolding against a backdrop of bigger changes along the shoreline. The Long Beach City Council has approved a construction contract with Bernards Bros. valued at roughly $60 million to build the Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center, and the city reports that construction is set to move forward this summer, according to a Long Beach press release. The Press-Telegram reports a May 30, 2026, groundbreaking ceremony is planned at Termino Avenue and Olympic Plaza and puts the project’s total estimated cost at about $103.6 million. For now, race fans heading to Belmont Shore can expect tight, tactical match racing on the water and a few extra detours if they are trying to launch boats nearby.
