SDYC brings Lipton Cup back home

SAN DIEGO — After a year at the St. Francis Yacht Club, the Lipton Cup trophy will return  to San Diego thanks to the San Diego Yacht Club team that started the day with a two point lead over St. Francis Yacht Club and finished two points ahead of Annapolis Yacht Club for the victory.

A beautiful November day in San Diego greeted competitors on the race course on Nov. 1 for the last stretch of the Lipton Cup Regatta. After a brief postponement wind was west southwest at steady 6 knots. Race 7 began with a crowded start at the signal boat end. Long Beach YC sailed clear ahead followed by California YC and Southwestern YC. Half of the fleet went to the right side of the course, hugging the Harbor Island shore. Annapolis made big strides on the second upwind leg and was able to finish first followed by Long Beach then Newport Harbor.

Captions 1: San Diego Yacht Club was able to bring the Lipton Cup back to Southern California after a year at St. Francis Yacht Club. The team was led by San Diego YC skipper Tyler Sinks.<br>
Captions 1: San Diego Yacht Club was able to bring the Lipton Cup back to Southern California after a year at St. Francis Yacht Club. The team was led by San Diego YC skipper Tyler Sinks.

In Race 8 the signal boat end of the line was heavily favored, and Long Beach came out with an excellent start again followed by Southwestern then St. Francis. Newport Harbor won the race followed by Southwestern and Annapolis who fell back to third.

California YC had a good start in Race 9, but Newport Harbor continued their streak to win and the wind velocity increased to about 7.5 knots after race 9.

At 3 p.m., the Race Committee was able to start a 10th and final race, the fleet spread out and Chicago led the right side and California led the 3 boats heading left. Annapolis came back as first to round and hoisted a gybe set, Southwestern headed to the left side of the course. Long Beach celebrated their Line Honors and Newport Harbor, sitting in second place of the regatta was hoping to gain enough to knock San Diego YC out of first, they finished third. San Diego YC finished in the final race in 10th but knew the victory was secured for the 2015 Lipton Cup!

“Well it was one of the toughest days sailing I’ve ever had,” said San Diego YC skipper Tyler Sinks “ … at first we were focusing on St. Francis since they were closest to us in the standings. I think we did a really good job executing that plan. But as we were putting points on St. Francis, Newport Harbor kind of snuck in the back door. We missed a shift and from there it felt like it was hard for us to find a lane. But the team stuck together and these guys got the win, and I’m happy to be a part of a team like this.”

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