Holmberg Breezes to Regatta Victory

Peter Holmberg boosted his America’s Cup aspirations for the U.S. Virgin Islands by winning the Long Beach Yacht Club’s 34th Congressional Cup match-racing regatta Saturday.

Holmberg, 37, sailing for the St. Thomas Yacht Club, won 14 of his first 17 races in the five-day competition and had the title clinched before meeting his nearest threat, Scott Dickson of the host club, in the final match. Dickson (13-5) won by 59 seconds, but by then it didn’t matter.

Holmberg collected a first prize of $7,500 and the traditional crimson blazer that has been worn before by some of the world’s best sailors, including Dennis Conner, Ted Turner, Rod Davis and Chris Dickson--Scott Dickson’s older brother who worked as tactician for him in this regatta.

Saturday was clear and sunny, with Santa Catalina Island a vivid backdrop on the horizon, but the breeze was only five to eight knots and died as the last round of matches was running.

Holmberg went into Saturday’s last three races with a two-win lead over Dickson and France’s Luc Pillot but stumbled against Germany’s Markus Wieser by 34 seconds, setting up a possible showdown with Dickson in the last race.

But Italy’s Francesco de Angelis, posting a 6-12 record in only his second match event, spoiled that scenario by upsetting Dickson by 18 seconds in the next round.

Holmberg crossed the finish line about five minutes later with a 37-second win over Pillot, not knowing that Dickson had lost to assure him the title. He didn’t know until told by people on a press boat.