The Singapore Straits Regatta brings full circle an Asian yacht racing circuit that includes the Darwin to Bali Race, Malaysia's Raja Muda International Regatta, Thailand's Phuket King's Cup, Hong Kong's China Sea Series, and the Philippine's President's Cup. Each of these regattas has evolved its own identity over the years, and are draws in their own right, with their own following. Even so, the triumvirate consisting of the Singapore Straits Regatta, Raja Muda International Regatta, and the Phuket King's Cup, have pulled together collectively in an effort to establish a contiguous regatta circuit - the Perpetual Cup Series - to further boost Asian sailing, and in the process give sailors a more compelling reason to participate in this troika of events. Inaugurated in 1997, the Series raises the profile of the Asian sailing circuit, with the lowest scoring contender of the combined regattas bestowed with the prestigious Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy. Treasured by the historic Republic of Singapore Yacht Club (it's history dates back to 1826), the trophy had not been raced for some 20 years. On hearing of the inception of the Perpetual Series, the Committee dusted off this priceless Trophy, and donated it to the cause of regional sailing. The late Sir Thomas Lipton would surely be proud that the Cup to which he gave his name is being resurrected and put to good use for such a prestigious yachting event. The Singapore Straits Regatta is proud to be one of the three regattas anchoring the Perpetual Cup Series. Perpetual Cup Rules

In 1923, Sir Thomas Lipton presented a handsome trophy to the then Royal Singapore Yacht Club. Thomas Lipton was born in Glasgow on 10 May, 1850, to parents from Northern Ireland. At age fifteen, he set off to America where he worked in the tobacco fields of Virginia, and later in the grocery trade. In 1871, he opened his first shop in Glasgow, at the age of 21. In 1890, Lipton began importing tea from India and Ceylon, and revolutionised the tea business by selling tea from his own plantations in Ceylon, in conveniently-sized small packets directly to customers in his own shop. By 1898, Lipton had shops all over Britain, plantations in Ceylon, and large businesses in America. In that year, Queen Victoria knighted him in recognition of his achievements. In 1897, he joined the Royal Ulster Yacht Club, in the land where his forefathers had originated, which provided the inspiration for the name Shamrock, for which all his America's Cup challenge yachts were named. In all, he mounted five campaigns for the America's Cup, and although none of his challenges were successful, he gained tremendous respect as a sportsman, and publicity for his businesses. In addition to Singapore, Sir Thomas Lipton donated many cups and trophies to other yacht clubs in America and New Zealand. Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton died in 1931 at the age of 81 in his hometown of Glasgow, Scotland.