June 18-20th, 2021 the race is on! The Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association (PICYA) hosts the Lipton Cup Regatta with 10 Bay Area Yacht Clubs in a match race on J-22’s. Three days of racing in three different arenas around the Bay. Each day the venue and the skipper will change within a four person crew.

Our returning guest today – Winston Bumpus – PICYA Staff Commodore and now President of RBOC- Recreational Boaters of CA – is a key player in the regatta management team. “This race showcases the best sailors on the Bay – rather than the best boats – because sometimes its the best boats that win.” In this scenario the boats are all the same, the crew is the same and the terrain is challenging on the ever-changing Bay.”

The regatta hosting Yacht Clubs are South Beach Yacht Club in SF on Friday June 18th, Encinal Yacht Club in Alameda on Saturday the 19th and the race home to St. Francis Yacht Club for the awards presentation Sunday afternoon – Father’s Day June 20th.

Sir Thomas Lipton first came to San Francisco Bay in 1912 to compete in 12-meter racing at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915.  WWI interrupted plans but the Lipton Cup was raced in 1916, 1918, 1919, and 1920.  At that time, the Cup was won by John Hanify. With the death of Hanify, the 12- meter class also collapsed and the Cup itself was “lost” for 40 years. 

PICYA regained control of the Cup in 1960 when it was found at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.

The trophy was displayed at the San Francisco Yacht Club for many years due to winning race teams. In the summer of 1976 a winning skipper and talented artist – Jim Dewitt- ended up racing for St Francis and won. Therefore transferring the trophy to the St. Francis.Yacht Club.

Tragedy hit when the Cup melted in the St. Francis YC fire of 1976.  Then a new trophy was built in the image of one of the 12-meter yachts. This trophy is on display at the St. Francis YC.

Good luck to the teams!