Failure is part of sailing. But few failed as prominently as Sir Thomas Lipton. The self-made businessman made a fortune in the grocery business and later in the tea trade. In sailing, however, he went down in history for his defeats - and for the perseverance with which he kept competing.
Failed five times - and yet Lipton is a legend
Between 1899 and 1930, he challenged the Americans five times as a British representative for the America's Cup out. With his yachts "Shamrock I" to "Shamrock V", Lipton was defeated by the US defenders every time. Even great effort, burning ambition and changing designers did not help: the triumph over the "auld mug" eluded him. Nevertheless, the Scot became a highly popular figure in the sailing world.
His defeats were so remarkable that he was remembered as "the best of all losers". After his fifth failed attempt, the Americans presented him with the so-called "Lipton Cup" in December 1930 - an 18-carat gold trophy worth around half a million pounds.
Golden consolation prize for indomitable ambition
The golden trophy with two handles and a square silver base is emblazoned with an enamelled shield depicting the America's Cup and the American flag in red, white and blue. The trophy was a loving gesture for a Scotsman who had won the hearts of the Americans with his ambition.
Hollywood actor and newspaper columnist Will Rogers organised a public fundraising campaign together with the mayor of New York. Thousands of Americans took part, including the future US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Stolen story: police kept silent for six months
Two years after Lipton's death, the city of Glasgow took over the trophy and kept it in the Riverside Museum until the end. Unknown persons stole the trophy from there.
Not recently, however, but six months ago, as the Scottish police have now announced. The BBC reported on the case. According to the report, the police kept quiet about the robbery because they feared that publicity could lead to the destruction of the gold trophy. But the investigation was unsuccessful.
Lipton Cup: A priceless piece of sailing history
One thing is certain: The burglars struck on the night of 22 to 23 October. There were no signs of a break-in. The gold trophy was only discovered to be missing when it was cleaned the next morning. The museum management confirmed to the BBC that it had already recorded the Lipton Cup in the Art Loss Register, the world's largest database of stolen art. Auction houses check works offered there for stolen goods.
It is not known whether the police have any concrete leads as to the whereabouts of the trophy. The Lipton Cup is not only a loss for the people of Glasgow, to whom the trophy was dedicated. A priceless piece of sailing history is also missing.
Fabian Boerger
Editor News & Panorama
