Sails will fill San Diego Bay this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the 100th Sir Thomas Lipton Cup. The regatta began in 1904 and has become the most prestigious trophy in Southern California sailing competitions. The silver trophy, presented to the Corinthian Yacht Club of San Diego in 1903 by entrepreneur Sir Thomas Lipton, was considered “the most artistic trophy ever owned by a Pacific Coast yacht club.” The three-day event begins each morning for the racers with a regatta breakfast followed by weigh-in, registration, and a sailors meeting.
For spectators, the warning signal will sound at 11:55 a.m. and the day’s race will begin. Twelve teams representing top U.S. yacht clubs will compete in chartered J-105 sailboats. The 34-foot J-105 features an asymmetrical spinnaker flown from a retractable carbon-fiber bow sprit, planes faster than other boats in their class, and requires only a five- or six-man crew.
The central bayside parks should offer a good view. For those without a boat but would like a closer view, the charter yacht America is having an on-the-water viewing and tea party on Sunday.