This was Sir Thomas Lipton's first challenge for the America's Cup with a William Fife designed yacht Shamrock. The American's countered with Columbia, designed by Capt. Nathaniel G. Herreshoff. This was the best of three race series, in which Columbia won the first race by a large margin. In the second race Columbia won after Shamrock's mast collapsed and was forced to retire. In the third race, Shamrock led most of the way around the race course after Columbia started a minute after her. In a building breeze, Shamrock was eventually defeated by Columbia. Columbia went on to win the race by 6 minutes and 34 seconds on corrected time.