While visiting Seattle in 1912 on his way to San Francisco, Sir Thomas Lipton was so impressed with what he saw as perfect sailing waters that he promised to commemorate his visit by donating a perpetual challenge cup to the Seattle Yacht Club. Upon his return to London, Sir Thomas commissioned the cup, which arrived in 1913 and was first contested in 1914 by the "R" boats "Sir Tom" of Seattle and "Turenga" of Vancouver, Canada. With the demise of the "R" class, the Lipton Cup became the main trophy for the International 6 Metre Class in the Northwest. The Cup itself was made by Garrard & Co. of London in sterling silver, weighs about 5 or 6 pounds and stands approximately 4 feet (1.3 metres), including her base. Winners of the Cup, including boat name, skipper, and crew, have been inscribed on the Cup or on small placques encircling the base, for the past 85 years. The 2023 edition of the Sir Thomas Lipton Cup will be contested by teams from Puget Sound, Victoria and Vancouver on Port Madison on May 20 - 21, 2023.