Variety was the theme out on the water during day one of the 103rd Challenge for the Sir Thomas Lipton Cup hosted by San Diego Yacht Club. Twelve teams from California, New York, and Illinois raced the first four races in equalized J/105s in San Diego Bay competing for the prestigious Lipton Cup trophy. It was certainly a light day today with the breeze hanging around 5-6 knots all day. The heaviest air that Race Committee saw was 8 knots, but unfortunately it did not stay for long and competitors were mostly battling in light air with some current. Because of the light air, Race Committee shortened the course during races 1, 2, and 3. Race 4 was not shortened, but the wind was shifting to the right for a large portion of the race.

Racing for one of the most coveted trophies on the West Coast, the 103rd Challenge for the Sir Thomas Lipton Cup will be sailed on October 27-29, 2017. Named after Sir Thomas Lipton, the famous yachtsman and tea baron, The Lipton Cup is San Diego Yacht Club’s signature fall regatta. This year twelve teams representing yacht clubs from across the country will race for the chance to win the prestigious trophy and determine which club's team is the best of the best. Racers will compete in San Diego Bay, allowing plenty of viewing opportunities for friends and family along the downtown waterfront. To ensure fairness, the regatta will be held in a round robin format using equalized J/105s provided by owners of local Southern California boats.

With one month until the 2017 Lipton Cup, we checked in with Team SDYC to see how preparations are going. Skippered by SDYC hero, Tyler Sinks, the team has won the 2011, 2013, and 2015 Lipton Cup Regattas – every other year for the past 6 years. Can Sinks, along with crew members Jake La Dow, Chris Busch, Jake Reynolds, Erik Shampain, Melissa Denman, and Max Hutcheson, stick to the pattern and take the title for 2017?

Since 1903, the Lipton Cup has been the most prestigious trophy contested in Southern California and one of the most coveted on the West Coast. The racing will be held in the San Diego Bay, allowing plenty of viewing opportunities for friends and family along the waterfront. To ensure fairness, the regatta will be held in a round robin format using equalized J/105s provided by the Organizing Authority. There will be a practice day on Thursday, October 26.

The 2016 Lipton Cup ended dramatically today under ominous clouds and light rain. Despite challenging wind directions on San Diego Bay, Race Committee ran three races, completing all 12 scheduled races for the weekend, meaning every team competed in each of the J/105s.

Saturday was a picturesque day of racing for day two of the 2016 Lipton Cup. With bright, sunny skies and winds between 7 and 10 knots throughout the afternoon, Race Committee ran five races and the competition stayed equally fierce throughout each race. The San Diego Bay was packed with activity, from a Lipton Cup spectator fleet, to the Cortez Racing Association Halloween Regatta competitors, to kiteboarders practicing foiling and jumps.

In contrast to some pre-event forecasts, the breeze filled in nicely for day one of the 102nd Challenge for the Sir Thomas Lipton Cup! Twelve teams from California, New York and Massachusetts raced on the San Diego City Front in J/105s on Friday afternoon during day one of SDYC's signature fall regatta.

The 102nd Challenge for the Sir Thomas Lipton Cup, San Diego Yacht Club’s signature fall regatta, will be sailed on October 28-30, 2016. Named for the historic yachtsman and tea baron, Sir Thomas Lipton, the Lipton Cup allows yacht clubs’ teams to face off to determine who is the best of the best. It has been the most prestigious trophy contested in Southern California and one of the most coveted on the West Coast since 1903.