After winning 15 of his 18 round robin contests, Brady drove through the sailoffs with a steady and steely determination in sweeping local pride Scott Dickson and Sweden’s Johnie Berntsson--who was coming off seven consecutive wins—in two straight races each in the semifinals and finals, respectively.
Berntsson had swept France’s Philippe Presti, 2-0, in the other semifinal, and Presti took the measure of Dickson in the consolation final.
Brady, a New Zealand native who has lived in Annapolis, Md., since the mid-90s, won his first two Congressional Cups in 1996 and ‘97 when he was only 22 and 23, then his third in 2006 after building a professional sailing career of America’s Cups and various ocean races.
Brady collected $10,000 of the $41,000 prize pot. Simon Minoprio won $1,000 for winning the fleet race for those who didn’t reach the sailoffs.
The 10 six-man crews are sailing Catalina 37s owned by the Long Beach Yacht Club Sailing Foundation, rotating boats daily.
Final standings
1. Gavin Brady, New Zealand, 15-3 (14.5 points)
2. Johnie Berntsson, Sweden, 13-5.
3. Scott Dickson, U.S., 12-6
4. Philippe Presti, France, 10-8
5. Simon Minoprio, New Zealand, 10-8
6. Damien Iehl, France, 8-10
7. Dave Perry, U.S., 8-10
8. Andrew Arbuzov, Russia, 6-12
9. Pierre-Antoine Morvan, France, 6-12
10. Chris VanTol, U.S., 2-16 (.75 points)
*—-Deduction for causing excess damage.
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