Lijia Xu Won Long Beach Yacht Club Butler Cup
Olympic gold medalist Lijia Xu secured victory at the Grade 3 match racing regatta in Long Beach.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Swimming
Olympic champion Lijia Xu dominated the Butler Cup at the Long Beach Yacht Club, winning 13 of 14 flights in the double round-robin format. The event featured eight skippers competing in Catalina 37 sailboats.
Why it matters
Lijia Xu entered the competition to gain critical match racing experience, while the presence of third-place finisher Steve Flam helped maintain the event's World Sailing Grade 3 status.
Lijia Xu won 13 out of 14 flights during the double round-robin, competing against a field of eight skippers. Steve Flam, who placed third overall, was the only participant to defeat Xu during the regatta.
The players
Lijia Xu
She is an accomplished sailor who previously earned a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
Scott Dickson
He is an experienced sailor who served as tactician and provided crew support for Lijia Xu during the competition.
Steve Flam
He is a competitive skipper who finished third in the regatta and played a key role in maintaining the event's Grade 3 status.
The details
Lijia Xu received tactical coaching and crew assistance from Scott Dickson, with whom she first connected in Auckland in February 2026. The competition utilized Catalina 37 sailboats as part of the World Sailing Grade 3 circuit.
Timeline
Lijia Xu won Olympic bronze in 2008 and gold in 2012.
The regatta took place from September 26 to 27, 2026.
The Ficker Cup is scheduled for April 25 to 27, 2027.
Season Trajectory
This victory positions Lijia Xu as a notable contender in the international match racing circuit as she prepares for the upcoming Ficker Cup. The result reinforces the competitive landscape of the Grade 3 series leading into the high-profile Congressional Cup.
Lijia Xu secured 13 flight wins out of 14, effectively demonstrating her match racing capabilities to peers and future competitors. This performance sets a clear precedent for her upcoming entry into the April 2027 Ficker Cup field.
The takeaway
Lijia Xu's transition from Olympic dinghy racing to the match racing format demonstrates her versatility on the water. Her partnership with Scott Dickson signals a strategic approach to mastering new vessel classes.
What happens next
Lijia Xu is scheduled to compete in the Ficker Cup from April 25 to 27, 2027, followed by the Congressional Cup beginning April 28, 2027.
Further reading
For more on local aquatic competitions, visit the Swimming section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Press Telegram.
