Philip Cox’s Rapid Rise to Offshore Racing skippering Valiant

Philip Cox in blue on Left with his Valiant crew / Photo by Andre Miranda

In just over two years, Philip Cox has gone from no sailing (not even dinghies) to skipper of his own yacht, the Adams 10.6 Valiant, racing offshore and on Port Phillip.

“I first stepped foot on a keelboat (breakfast cruise on Helsel IV) in Hobart in January 2024.” Philip explains “going onto to complete his crewing course in March 2024 and his first race as crew on Addiction the Inglis 37 a few weeks later.”

“I kept meeting people at the club who were eager to step into coastal and ocean racing,” he says. After completing the 2025 ORCV Beyond the Bay course, Philip purchased Valiant and, just two months later, competed in his first offshore race.

“Racing teaches me how to sail my boat well,” Philip says. “A boat shouldn’t be left in the pen, it needs to be sailed.” True to that philosophy, he sails at least twice a week during summer and each week during winter, regularly creating opportunities for others to build their skills alongside him.

“The Adams 10.6 is a well-known, stable boat with a great support network at my home club,” Philip added. “The bonus was that Valiant was already set up for Category 3 racing”, making the transition into offshore competition smoother.

We caught up with Philip as he and his crew sailed back across the bay after finishing the third race of the West Offshore Products Coastal Sprints. On board were three crew members, who had just completed their first offshore race, a challenging race marked by constantly shifting winds that may have favoured the larger boats. Despite the conditions, Philip was pleased with their result.

Looking ahead to the next offshore race to Apollo Bay in May, Philip remains focused on continuous improvement. For him and the Valiant crew, it’s all part of the journey, learning, improving, and, most importantly, being out on the water.