Hout Bay Sailing Academy ️

⚓ 8th ENTRY ANNOUNCEMENT

Saldanha Bay Yacht Club has officially entered the 2026 Lipton Challenge, returning after an impressive fourth-place finish in last year's contest.

The team will once again be led by Theo Yon, one of the most experienced sailors in this year's fleet as he prepares for his 17th Lipton Challenge. A former Lipton Challenge winner and multiple-time podium achiever, Theo brings a wealth of experience to the campaign. Joining him at the helm is Olympian Stefano Marcia, who represented South Africa at the 2016 Olympic Games in the ILCA (Laser) class. A runner-up at the 2023 J22 National Championships, this will be Stefano's fourth Lipton Challenge, having raced in both the L26 and Cape31 eras, including a winning campaign aboard Orion in 2021.

With two of the four crew returning from last year's campaign, Saldanha Bay has retained valuable experience while strengthening an already competitive team. After recording a race win, a second place and two third-place finishes on their way to fourth overall in 2025, Theo and Stefano will undoubtedly be aiming to add another Lipton Title to their résumé.

Congratulations Theo Yon, Robyn Patrick & team for your unbelievable 3rd place achievement at Lipton Challenge CUP this past week! 🥉🎉

Meet Our Helm: Theo Yon!

Introducing Theo, the experienced helm and co-skipper for our Lipton Challenge CUP team. Theo's sailing journey began in Hout Bay in 2000, and since then, he's made waves both inshore and offshore, locally and internationally. With 14 Lipton Cups under his belt, including a triumphant 1st place finish in the 2023 Lipton Cup. He received his SAS WC Seniors Colours for 2023, and was also nominated for the RCYC Male Yachtsman of the Year Award.

Theo's impressive sailing career includes representing South Africa at the Bondex Logistics Cup in Qingdao in 2015, where he secured a 3rd place finish overall. He also took on the world in the SSL Gold Cup final in 2023, finishing 16th, and demonstrated his skill at the J22 Nationals 2023 by earning 3rd place overall. His expertise in offshore racing is further highlighted by his 1st place victory at the ORC Nationals in 2022 and participation in three Cape to Rio races. He won the Mossel Bay Race in 2021 onboard Atalanta, and in 2016 onboard Gryphon as skipper. While also cleaning up in the 2023 Mykonos Offshore Race with First Cape31, First Overall in the Distance Race, and First Overall in Class A onboard Nitro.

With a clear goal for this year's Lipton Cup, Theo believes in the strength and potential of his team. He is confident that the exceptional crew they've assembled will sail their way towards the podium.

Fun Fact - Theo is from a long-standing fishing family, and loves spending time alongside his father and son catching fish on his boat.

KSYC Centre of Sailing Excellence
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💪🏼 The dynamite duo are taking on Lipton 2024 🧨

📣NEW CHALLENGER ANNOUNCEMENT 📣

This 2024 Lipton Challenge Cup sees a remarkable team with a cumulative attendance of over 30 Lipton Cups onboard. Co-skippers Robyn Patrick and Theo Yon have been sailing together since 2015, playing between multiple keelboats and dinghies. To say they have spent an incredible amount of time sailing together is an understatement. Theo stated that his goal for this Lipton Cup is to come out at the top and believes that they have put an amazing team together. Representing King Shaka Yacht Club (KSYC), a Club that was created after its founders noticed a lack of transformation and development in the industry and the sport, a Club well aligned with the team's campaign mission. This will be the KSYC's first representation at Lipton.

Helmsman, Theo Yon significantly contributes to the 30 Challenges onboard tally with his 14 participations, including a first-place finish in 2023 and three-second places. He first began sailing in 2000, at the age of 12, in a school program and has now competed in multiple international events representing South Africa, including the SSL Gold Cup, Bondex Cup in Qingdao and 3 Cape2Rio races.

Robyn's Lipton journey began under the mentorship of Heidi Burger onboard "Team Tiletoria," and competed as an all-female racing team. Since then, Robyn has participated in multiple Liptons onboard that team. Notably, in 2015, they competed against a second all-female team, whose helmswoman, Megan Eccleston, is now part of Robyn's 2024 Lipton campaign.

The average age of this crew competing is under 30. This committed and competitive team has grown from grassroots to seasoned sailors, competing locally and internationally. They have all participated in many major regattas and races, including the Cape to Rio Race, Youth Worlds, China Cup, Lady Liberty Regatta, and Star Sailing League. Onboard is Raaid Pentolfe, Megan Eccleston, Chiara Fruet, Lorenzo Yon, & Lance Curtis. Theo, Raaid, and Lance are National ORC Champions for 2022, winning together onboard Gigi.

"The success of our campaign isn't measured solely by our results but by our vision and purpose. This diverse group we have onboard is not only competitive but also dedicated to promoting inclusivity and representation in the sailing community. We proudly carry the hashtag as our campaign slogan." Says Robyn, whose passion lies in promoting female sailing in South Africa.

KSYC Centre of Sailing Excellence
South African Sailing - SAS
City of Cape Town

Team Nitro Sailing Team taking the win again! 🥇🏆

Well done to Theo Yon and the rest of the team onboard for winning 3 out of the 7 races ! As well as all the incredible teams on the water, says something amazing about the racing if almost every team wins a race ⛵️

“The Cape Sports Boat Regatta was held in Saldanha Bay, South Africa over the past weekend. Five Cape 31s participated in the close, competitive racing. “
Read more about what the Class had to say below 👇🏼👇🏼

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=587945640044309&id=100064866335200&mibextid=ncKXMA

Thank you to all those that that contributed into the organisation of the event and a massive thank you to Mike Hayton !

📷 leslie
Cape31 South African Sailing - SAS

Thursday and Friday have been busy with deliveries of yachts back to Cape Town after the Mykonos Race, with Theo skippering Double Helix and Tenacity back in super great time!

The ocean was showing off with dolphins and whales guiding the crew back to Royal Cape Yacht Club