Skipper Taylor Canfield wins record fifth Congressional Cup

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Taylor Canfield of Team Stars+Stripes won his fifth Congressional Cup on Sunday, making him winningest skipper in 56-year history of one of world’s premier match-racing regattas.

Canfield beat Johnie Berntsson of Sweden, 2009 Congressional Cup champion, in three straight races in final.

In July, Canfield and Stars+Stripes joined New York Yacht Club’s effort to field an all-American squ for next America’s Cup.

Canfield and Stars+Stripes dominated five-day regatta at Long Beach Yacht Club.

“It’s incredible, but it feels just like every or win: fantastic,” 32-year-old Canfield said. “And to win with Stars+Stripes Team again, I’m on top of world.”

Canfield’s crew includes Mike Buckley, CEO of Stars+Stripes, plus Mac Agnese, Leo Boucher, Victor Diaz De Leon, George Peet and Erik Shampain.

“Our goal is to always get better throughout week. We h some difficult moments and some tough debriefs about how we could continue to get better, and that makes us stronger in end,” Canfield said. “And we like to keep umpires out of game. I think we h only one penalty over week.”