MUSTO SKIFFS AT THE BIRKETT

A strong Northern contingent of skiff sailors attended the Lord Birkett Trophy at Ullswater Yacht Club on July 2 and 3.

Entries for the event, sponsored by Boddingtons, broke the 200 barrier this year at 205 and included a wide range of boats from a Mirror to 49ers and cruisers. This classic race is a long distance handicap event in which all boats race the full length of Ullswater, round an island at the Southern end, and back on both days.
Perfect conditions prevailed over the two race days and provided some exhilarating sailing for the skiff sailors.
Saturday’s race started in a force 3-4 wind with Ian Trotter finishing second in a very closely fought race with Martin Boatman, finishing third and Ian Turnbull finishing fourth.

This is where the skiff sailors got their tactics wrong and started drinking at 4 o’clock in the afternoon until 2am in the morning. This allowed Lester and Lee Noble, in their 49er, a pleasant cruise round Ullswater on Sunday, to take the overall Ovingtonsy, with the international 14 of Howard Stevenson and Phil Wade finishing second.

The Musto sailors in varying states of competence finished the second race, with Ian Turnbull sailing a very impressive downwind leg to finish leading skiff with Boatman holding off Trotter (3rd, 4th and 5th respectively).
After a late amendment to the results, 3 leading skiff sailors finished equally on 7 points, therefore, Trotter finished 2nd overall, Bov 3rd and Martin 4th. Bov is now arranging a glass swapping party! (Trotter said he can keep the dartboard).

The Musto Skiff fleet now moves on to Denia for the Gold Cup and can only hope for conditions and hospitality as good as Ullswater Yacht Club provided.

Overall Results:
1 Lester & Lee Noble, 49er (Ullswater)
2 Ian Trotter, Musto Skiff (Derwent Reservoir)
3 Ian Turnbull, Musto Skiff (Sunderland)
4 Martin Boatman, Musto Skiff (Sunderland)