City of Cape Town backs Royal Cape Yacht Club's historic Lipton Challenge Cup 70th Anniversary
by Christa Badenhorst, RCYC 9 May 14:26 UTC
27-31 August 2024
Team Nitro, winners of the 2023 Lipton Cup Challenge © Cat 360 Photography
The Lipton Challenge Cup, without doubt the most prestige keelboat sailing contest in the country, has attracted financial support for this year's event from the City of Cape Town.
"The City acknowledges the importance of the Lipton Challenge Cup, and the role that the Royal Cape Yacht Club (RCYC) plays in sail-training and uplifting disadvantaged sailors from all walks of life. Their support is validation of the important role the RCYC plays in the sport of sailing, transformation and upliftment" said Alan Haefele, Commodore of the Royal Cape Yacht Club.
The Lipton Challenge Cup enjoys a strong legacy and is one of the oldest sporting trophies in this country, with this year's challenge being the 70th regatta sailed.
While the names of skippers inscribed on the trophy read as a "who's who" of sailing, the names of crew who have won, shows that the Club's transformation goals, and opportunities given to up-and-coming sailors, is indeed impressive as they feature in numbers on the Lipton Role of Honour.
"The City of Cape Town is proud to continue its long-standing partnership with Africa's premier offshore sailing regatta, the Lipton Challenge Cup. The challenge is more than just a race competition. It provides an opportunity for not only sailors to showcase their skill but hosting it in Cape Town has a far-reaching impact. It provides an opportunity for local boat manufacturers to showcase their capabilities, assists the City in its objectives of creating an enabling environment to attract investment that generates economic growth, and of course promoting Cape Town as a premier tourism destination," said Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.
The Lipton Challenge Cup, a five-days sailing regatta on Table Bay, is hosted by the RCYC as the defending Club, and will take place from 27 to 31 August. "We look forward to hosting the City of Cape Town on our waters and in our facilities, as we do all competitors and their supporters" said Haefele.
Find out more at liptoncup.com