Thomas Lipton was an English tea entrepreneur with an international empire, a passionate yachtsman, and above all one of the most interesting characters in the history of the America's Cup. For years he devoted time, resources and passion to the world's oldest competition, attempting to win the trophy five times. The last was when his boat, Shamrock V, was overtaken at sea by Enterprise, one of four ships designed for the occasion by the New York Yacht Club. ‘I can't win. I can't,' was Sir Lipton's emotional comment as he realised yet another defeat. Although he never managed to lift the trophy, his determination and sportsmanship made him an unexpected and respected icon in the sailing world.
The origins
Born in Scotland in the mid-nineteenth century, Thomas Lipton left for the United States at the age of 15 where he worked in various industries before returning home and opening his first grocery store. It was here that his fortunes began with the founding of the Lipton Tea Company, a now global tea brand. However, Sir Lipton interests were not limited to business: at the end of the 19th century he became fascinated by the elegance and technique of sailing, not as a mere sport but as an opportunity to link his name to one of the most elite competitions of the time, the America's Cup, the most coveted trophy.
The first challenge
On 6 August 1898, the race that would see the New York Yacht Club facing off against the British challenger Royal Ulster Yacht Club was made official. Sir Lipton took up the challenge by financing Shamrock, the first of five boats to be named after her, which began to be built at the Thorneycroft yard in Millwall on the Thames. On the day of the launch, 24 June 1899, Shamrock was considered the fastest defender ever to sail from England. The reality, however, was quite different: the construction and preparation of American boats was far superior to British ones. And so, with a lead of over six and a half minutes, the American yacht Columbia recorded its victory by defeating Shamrock. The failure did not discourage Sir Lipton, but kindled in him even more the desire to try again and perhaps raise the America's Cup.
The fair play
He took part in four other editions: 1901, 1903, 1920 and 1930, all of which he lost, and all of them, as mentioned, aboard yachts named Shamrock, each an evolution of the previous one. In spite of the technical improvements and considerable resources invested, the Americans continued to prevail. The Shamrock IV, in 1920, described by many as ‘a cross between a turtle and a torpedo boat', was however probably the boat that came closest to the coveted victory. In the first two races, she pulled clear ahead of the defender Resolute, only to succumb, once again, in the next three. Here too, however, Sir Lipton did not give up, and tried again in 1930, the year of the first J Class, more modern and with a length of 37 metres. Shamrock V, designed by a nautical visionary like Charles Nicholson, was made with a steel frame and a mahogany dress: fast, attractive but anything but light, and that is how the United States triumphed again. Yet despite the constant disappointments, despite the fifth inexorable defeat, a 4-0 loss without glory, Sir Lipton declared: ‘I will try again'.
The other Cup
By now in his eighties, he no longer took part in any further sailing competitions, but in memory of his sportsmanship and determination even in the most difficult moments, his fiercest and most historic adversaries celebrated him with a golden cup: in honour of the best of all losers. Made and engraved by Tiffany, the precious trophy bore the phrase: ‘To the great challenger, who was the most cheerful and indefatigable taker'.
