Canada had tried twice to win the America’s Cup but had failed both times. The first in 1876 by the Cuthbert built "Countess of Dufferin", flying the Roya! Canadian Yacht Club brgee. The second one in1881 by another Cuthbert built yacht "Atlanta". "Atlanta" flew the burgee of the Bay of Quinte Yacht Club and had the distinction of being the first sloop rigged vessel ever to race for the America’s Cup. Cuthbert was one of the most famous competition yacht builders of the era.
After these two unsuccessful challenges, the deed of gift on the America’s Cup was altered to state that no ±urthe_ challenges from a fresh water club would be accepted. The America’s Cup was now the exclusive property of salt water sai!ors.
The fol!owing year A. J. Fisher presented to the Chicago Yacht Club a challenge cup to be raced for by s!oops. This trophy still bears his name and is the oldest international cup on the Great Lakes.
The first race for the Fisher Cup was held on July 8, 1882 and was won by Chicago Yacht Club’s sloop "Cora" and she was successfu! in defending it in a second race in September of that same year.
The following year, 1883, an International Regatta was sponsored by the Chicago Yacht Club. The Fisher Cup and $500.00 was to be the prize. In a race held on August 4th, the 65’ cutter "Ai!een" and "Atlanta", the defeated challenger for the America’s Cup, represented Canada. "Cora", the defender of the cup, and "Wasp" sailed for Chicago and "Cora" won, retaining the Fisher Cup.
Though the deed of gift stated that another challenge could not be accepted for thirty days, Captain Cuthbert asked Chicago to waive the time limit and allow another race almost immediately. They agreed and, on August 8th, a race was sailed around a twelve mile triangle. This time "Atlanta" was the winner and she brought the Fisher Cup to the Bay of Qunite Yacht Club and to Lake Ontario.
In the winter of 1883-84, Cuthbert designed and built a sloop for John Bell, who named it "Norah" after his daughter. The "Norah" was built a!ong the lines of "Atlanta" and, on September 17, 1884, "Norah" lifted the Fisher Cup
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