111th Lipton Cup Regatta at San Diego Yacht Club - Preview
by Karina Sandhu, SDYC 30 Oct 10:53 PDT
October 30 - November 1, 2026
2025 Challenge for the Lipton Cup © Mark Albertazzi
Twelve yacht clubs will converge on San Diego Bay October 30 - November 1 for the 111th Challenge for the Sir Thomas Lipton Cup.
A fixture of San Diego Yacht Club's racing calendar for more than a century, the prestigious invitational brings together teams from across the United States and Canada for three days of tactical racing, close competition and a chance to claim one of interclub sailing's most coveted trophies.
Donated by Sir Thomas Lipton, the Cup has long united yacht clubs in spirited competition. Its distinctive format puts the emphasis on technical skills and teamwork, with teams competing in matched J/105s provided by SDYC members and rotating boats throughout the regatta. Racing takes place in South San Diego Bay, east of the Coronado Bridge, where sharp starts, precise boat handling and quick tactical decisions can make the difference. With the fleet competing on equal equipment, teamwork, consistency and adaptability will be critical to finding an edge.
This year's lineup spans the West Coast, Gulf Coast and East Coast, with clubs traveling from across the United States and Canada to compete. Defending champion San Diego Yacht Club will look to protect its home-water advantage against a deep field that includes several returning teams and familiar rivals. The regatta also welcomes back Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle and Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, both returning after several years away from the competition.
For Bayview Yacht Club, the 2026 regatta marks a second consecutive appearance and an opportunity to build on last year's experience. Skipper Hanson Bratton is returning with four of his seven crew members from 2025, hoping familiarity with the format will translate into stronger results.
"This is the second year competing in the Lipton Cup. Last year was our first year. The event is unique and the learning curve was very steep. Now that we have some experience in the Lipton Cup, we hope to significantly improve our overall performance," Bratton said. "We really appreciate being invited back to the event. We look forward to seeing everybody and hopefully improving our performance over last year."
Alamitos Bay Yacht Club Skipper Bob Little brings a different kind of experience to the starting line, having competed in the Lipton Cup for more than a decade as both a skipper and crew member. His focus this year is on building a cohesive team and putting that collective experience to work.
"Preparation for this Lipton Cup is about getting our ABYC team on the water and working through crew positions and communication. Everyone on our team does a lot of sailing, and it's about putting that experience on the same boat and working together as a team," Little said. "I've sailed Lipton Cup many times as both a skipper and crew, so I hope to bring that experience to our team in 2026. I was fortunate to win the 2012 Lipton Cup for California Yacht Club, and I hope we bring that level of competitiveness to the event this year."
Coronado Yacht Club's team is skippered by Scott Harris who is fresh off last weekend's win at the Don Trask International Masters Regatta, sailed in the same J/105s on the same race course. Harris' team will have the advantage of a full weekend experience.
Beyond the racing, the Lipton Cup is a showcase of the members, volunteers, race committee and umpires who make the event possible. SDYC members generously provide the J/105 fleet, ensuring the regatta remains a test of sailing ability rather than equipment. Their support, combined with the work of the organizing authority, helps sustain a tradition that has connected yacht clubs and sailors for 111 editions.
"The 111th running of the prestigious Sir Thomas Lipton Cup, hosted by the San Diego Yacht Club, brings together an outstanding field of competitors," said Event Chair Dave Vieregg. "Alongside the stalwarts of West Coast yacht racing, we are excited to welcome back Bayview Yacht Club, Pensacola Yacht Club, and New York Yacht Club. We are also thrilled to see the return of two clubs that have been absent from the competition for several years: Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle and Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. Their return adds even more depth, tradition, and excitement to what promises to be another exceptional edition of this historic regatta."
Racing begins Friday, October 30, and continues through Sunday, November 1 with final races followed by awards for the top teams. On Halloween, competitors and spectators are also invited to get into the spirit of the holiday by dressing up.
For more information on the 111th Lipton Cup, visit liptoncup.sdyc.org