The Lord Birkett Trophy
3rd&4th July 2004 Ullswater Yacht Club
By Ken Moran.

Last year I read a report on the Lord Birkett Trophy in a sailing magazine and decided there and then that I wanted to take part in this race dedicated to the man who saved this beautiful lake for the benefit and enjoyment of everyone who wishes to sail, hike, or camp in this stunning area.
Saturday dawned cold wet and windy as we set out on the drive up to the lake. The tent went up in a gap in-between the showers and the boat was rigged in time for the briefing. I was impressed with the variety of boats entered, practically every class from the smallest dinghy right up to thirty foot cruisers was represented.
Faced with a force 4 to 5 gusting to force 6 and the crush of every type of dingy, skiff, keel boat and cruiser I felt quite (very) nervous but once on the water and after my first swim of the day it was just like being back on the Weaver.
As start time drew near everyone formed up into the longest start line I have ever seen. With 197 boats on the line I could not see either end for the starting signal and just went with the rush.
My wife and daughter who had come with me are not sailing enthusiasts but both said afterwards that the sight and colour of so many boats was fantastic.
With the wind blowing (howling) straight down the lake it was reckoned to be a six mile beat up to our turning point at Norfolk Island then a run all the way down to the other end of the lake and the mark at the steamer jetty at Pooley Bridge, by this time and after another couple of swims my energy level was on empty but there was still a grinding beat for the last couple of miles back to the club. My time for the race was just under three hours, how did I feel at the end ?,,,, ELATED.
Everyone back at the clubhouse said that the conditions were very unusual as the norm for this race is a more gentle breeze.
At the club disco later that evening the crews of the safety boats who had done an excellent job all day were so tired they could hardly hold a pint!!!
Sunday was a much better day with a nice breeze and some sunshine.
The course was a little longer as we sailed to the second set of islands and thanks to my Weaver light wind experience I found myself passing a couple of asymmetric types only to have them scream past as the breeze filled in a little.
I had a very enjoyable race with a group of boats including a Solo, a couple of Lasers a GP 14 and some types I had never seen before.
I would like to thank the Ullswater Y C for a wonderful and well organised weekend and recommend this race to anyone from our club who fancies a sailing and camping weekend.
Where did I finish ? well as in the excitement of the first day I forgot to sign on so it did not count I did manage a 138th place in the second race
But over all it was fabulous.

The first race was won by I Turnbull in a Musto Skiff and the second race was won by J Telford in a GP 14.
The overall winner was Lester & Lee Noble from the Ullswater YC in a 49er.

Ken.