The Lipton Cup
Northern Port Phillip’s Premier Regatta
If there is one weekend that perfectly captures the spirit of sailing in Melbourne, it’s the Lipton Cup. Held annually at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, this regatta is a massive multi-class celebration that turns Hobsons Bay into a sea of white sails and competitive energy.
Named after the legendary tea baron and America’s Cup challenger Sir Thomas Lipton, the trophy carries a weight of history that few other local events can match. But don’t let the “Royal” prestige fool you—this is a weekend built on accessibility and pure sailing fun.
A Regatta for Every Class
What makes the Lipton Cup unique is its scale. On any given year, you’ll see over 200 entries spanning everything from the tiniest junior dinghies to grand-prix keelboats.
Off-The-Beach (OTB): The northern waters of Hobsons Bay become a playground for International Cadets, Optimists, and Mirrors. It’s where the next generation of champions tests their mettle in high-stakes sprint series.
The Keelboat Fleet: Further south in Altona Bay, the heavy hitters come out to play. Whether it’s the tight tactical battles of One Design classes like the Adams 10 and S80, or the diverse IRC and AMS measurement divisions, the racing is always fierce.
Cruising & Classics: For those who prefer the journey over the sprint, the passage racing divisions offer a chance to navigate the fixed marks of the bay in a more relaxed, “blue-water” style.
The magic of the Lipton Cup isn’t just what happens on the water; it’s the scene back at the clubhouse in Williamstown. There is nothing quite like the post-race atmosphere on the RYCV lawn—live music, cold drinks, and the inevitable “if only” stories of missed shifts and tactical gambles.
With the Melbourne city skyline as a backdrop, it’s a reminder of why we sail in Victoria. It’s a community event that bridges the gap between the serious racers and the weekend cruisers.
Whether you’re gunning for the prestigious Lipton Cup trophy in the teams’ challenge or just taking the family out for a weekend of passage racing, this regatta is a milestone on the Ocean Seas calendar. It’s a chance to see the full spectrum of Victorian sailing in one place.
If you haven’t experienced a Lipton Cup weekend at RYCV, you’re missing out on the heartbeat of Port Phillip Bay sailing.
Blogs
ORCV Coastal Sprint #3
Sam Backwell’s first ocean race. Six yachts crossing ahead of an inbound cargo ship. Ginan sweeping all three handicap divisions. The third ORCV Coastal Sprint packed a full season’s worth of sailing into 27 nautical miles off the Mornington Peninsula — and Shimmer was right in the thick of it.
Luxury cruising
Some boats are built for the marina. Others are built to move. Shooting Baruch — a 2019 Nautitech 542 — for Inspire Marine, it was clear from the first frame which one she is. Fast, refined, and strikingly photogenic, she’s a French multihull design that earns its reputation both offshore and at anchor.
Salt
On Salt, a 2021 Solaris 50, I sailed as bow person with James Marshall and Ian Fankhanel. Festival of Sails 2026 saw us win Division 1, thanks to a skilled team including tactician, navigator, and Peter Dowdney. Aaron Cole added sail expertise, highlighting how experience and teamwork make a high-performance yacht excel.
Shimmer
Shimmer, beautifully maintained by Steve Twentyman, is sailed regularly from Safety Beach Sailing Club. With a versatile sail inventory including J0, Code 0, and asymmetric spinnakers, I’ve gained experience across bow, trimming, and helming roles. Calm leadership and preparation make her a reliable platform for club racing, ORCV coastal events, and Category 2 offshore races.
S2H 2025
White Spirit – 80th Rolex Sydney to Hobart
I completed the 2025 Rolex Sydney to Hobart as 2IC and Navigator aboard White Spirit (Beneteau First 50), skippered by Cyrus Allen. Responsible for routing, weather analysis and sail strategy, I supported the helm and watches through a demanding, multi-system offshore race.
Cabbage Tree Island Race
As part of White Spirit’s Hobart preparation, I helmed through extreme conditions in the Cabbage Tree Island Race, sailing into a rapidly building southerly front with apparent winds peaking at 74 knots. The execution and boat handling through the system resulted in my appointment as Second in Command for Hobart.
Airlie Beach Race Week 2025
Airlie Beach Race Week tested sail handling, coordination, and timing across long island legs. On Y Knot, managing the bow meant staying ahead of multiple sail changes under shifting trade-wind breezes. The combination of fast offshore conditions, complex courses, and a skilled crew made it an intense and rewarding experience.
Magnetic Island Race Week 2025
YKnot’s performance demanded anticipation, precise sail transitions, and constant awareness on the bow. The warm waters, trade winds, and tight fleet kept everyone alert, while the relaxed island atmosphere ashore highlighted why offshore racing is as much about people and experience as it is speed.
Cartouche
Cartouche – Beneteau First 50 (RBYC)
I’ve sailed regularly aboard Cartouche, a Beneteau First 50 owned by Steven Fahey, across club racing, ORCV events and major regattas. Racing within a family-run team sharpened my big-boat awareness and offshore readiness, while reinforcing consistency, preparation and calm decision-making across varied conditions.
Scarlet Runner
Delivering Scarlet Runner back to Melbourne with owner and skipper Rob Date after the Melbourne–Hobart Westcoaster was a masterclass in offshore seamanship. A demanding Bass Strait crossing shifted the focus from racing to judgement, restraint, and boat care, highlighting the balance between performance and protection that defines successful offshore sailing.
Australian Yachting Championships (IRC)
Racing on Tenacity in the 2025 Australian Yachting Championships tested precision and teamwork on Hobart’s Derwent. Handling halyards and sail changes as mast person, I experienced the split-second decision-making, calm control, and clear communication required to keep a high-performance Mills 41 moving efficiently through shifting river breezes.
Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster
Sailing down the coast on Rushour during the Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster was a masterclass in offshore performance. Heavy Bass Strait and Southern Ocean conditions tested endurance, decision-making, and watch management, while the multihull’s record-breaking pace reinforced the importance of disciplined boat handling, smart routing, and protecting both crew and craft over a long, exposed passage.