Knysna Yacht Club joins the Challenge! With a skipper that is no stranger to Lipton, David Shilton has undoubtedly enough experience to hold a strong position in this years event.
Dave Shilton (skipper) began sailing at the age of 10 and has built a strong and successful career across dinghy and keelboat classes. A top competitor in the Finn class, he is the current South African National Champion and holds five Finn National titles. He also represented South Africa at the Finn Gold Cup in Denmark, where finishing 5th in one of the races stands out as a proud moment. Dave has three J22 National titles and brings valuable experience from high-level inshore and offshore keelboat racing. This year marks his seventh Lipton Cup and fifth as skipper, leading the team with calm confidence and tactical skill.
Anthony Parker (trimmer) brings a wealth of dinghy and keelboat experience to the team. A seasoned competitor, he has raced in four GP14 World Championships and three Fireball World Championships, including events in the UK, Ireland, Barbados, and Italy. Anthony boasts seven GP14 National titles and two Fireball National wins. He skippered an L26 in the 2011 Lipton Cup in Mossel Bay and was awarded WITS Blues colours in 1999 for yachting, having represented WITS Yacht Club extensively from 1996 to 1999.
Michael Hill (bowman) began sailing at age 12 on J22s, L26s, and Lasers, and has since built a well-rounded career across dinghy and keelboat classes. He’s competed in multiple J22 National Championships, including the 2024 edition as bowman, and has raced in both the Laser Nationals and Western Cape Championships. More recently, he’s taken to the Finn class, competing in the 2022 and 2024 Finn Nationals.
We look forward to seeing what this Wilderness Club can do on the water, they will be a team to watch! 
