Sailing Magazine
by Richard Crockett
Gale-Beset ‘Lipton’
“The 1968 Lipton Challenge Contest will long be remembered by all who took part in it a one of the toughest and most challenging series of races ever sailed by Thirty Square Metre Class yachts in these or any other waters.
“The weather could not have been more unkind. The first race was abandoned due to poor visibility, strong winds and high seas. On the next day (Saturday, June 8) conditions were generally the same as to winds and seas, but visibility had improved.
“On Monday the 10th these conditions persisted and carried over to the Tuesday, and it was only on the final day of the race that the sun peeped out and allowed one day of near perfect conditions.
“It was not surprising (about the weather), therefore, that at the prize-giving dance Vice-Admiral H.H. Biermann, who watched the Tuesday race from the S.A.S. Kimberley, commented inter alia: “I have never seen a race for these yachts sailed under worse conditions – it made me proud to feel that generally the sport of yachting separates the men from the boys.” And finally: “The race brought home to me the truth of the old saying “Iron men in wooden ships”.”
What did significantly interest me, is the list of trophies presented, as some of them are no longer Lipton Cup Trophies? Is there anyone out there who may know why these trophies have slipped from the grasp of Lipton Cup competitors, and even where they may be today?
These were the trophies awarded for the 1968 challenge, and which are no longer awarded:
• Scott Pearson Trophy (winner of last race) – ‘Tintomara’ – A. Duncan.
• Yens Krose Friendship Trophy – (leading boat at end of first three races) – ‘Trickson’.
• 30 Square Metre Gold Emblem Trophy donated by the European 30 Square Metre Owners·Association (yacht with the highest points in second and last races) – ‘Trickson’.
READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE: 1968 07 – SA Yachting – LIPTON – OCR
