The Lipton Trophy
On 5th September 1922 Sir Thomas Lipton presented this prestigious trophy to the Scottish Model Yacht Association (SMYA). Upon the demise of the SMYA, the Lipton Trophy reverted to the MYA Scottish District as the successor of the SMYA. The Trophy is presented to the annual winner of the MYA Scottish District IOM Traveller’s Series.
Thomas Lipton was a self-made man. From humble beginnings born in a tenement in the Gorbals, Glasgow in 1848, he left school at the age of thirteen to supplement his parents’ limited income yet was appointed KCVO in 1901. Between leaving school and his knighthood he had opened over 300 Lipton shops and established Lipton Tea as a global brand.
He is well known in the sailing world. Between 1899 and 1930 he challenged the American holders of the America’s Cup through the Royal Ulster Yacht Club five times with his yachts called Shamrock through Shamrock V. His well-publicised efforts to win the cup earned him a specially designed cup for “the best of all losers”.
In 2023, thanks to the financial support of the MYA and the help of Colin McGinnis, The Lipton Trophy underwent repairs and much needed TLC. This work was completed by the end of April 2023. It was thus a huge pleasure that the restored Lipton Trophy was presented by Steve Taylor (a previous winner) to Brian Summers (left) as the 2022 MYA Scottish District IOM Traveller’s Series Champion.
