The 2025 Lord Birkett Trophy from the Deck of an International 14
by Stuart Keegan, Harry Kennedy & Dan Trotter 13 Jul 07:23 BST
5-6 July 2025
International 14s at the 63rd Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy © Tim Olin /
www.olinphoto.co.uk
Ah, Ullswater. Home of the Lord Birkett Trophy, legendary wind shifts, dramatic scenery, and - this year - six International 14s. Among them, the freshly refurbished Zog, which had undergone what can only be described as an overzealous stint in the sunbed salon.
After weeks of intensive "boat rejuvenation" (and possibly one too many applications of boatyard-grade fake tan), Zog emerged in all its glory as a bold, retina-searing shade of orange - a true work of art, if your idea of art is a traffic cone in a midlife crisis.
The fleet's immediate reaction? "Captain Tanny Danny's at it again," they muttered, as the boat gleamed like a floating sunburn. You can take the captain out of Newcastle, but you can't take the Geordie Shore out of Tanny Danny
With former Birkett champions, Adam & Stuart, reuniting for their first sail of the season, spirits were high and expectations... vaguely optimistic. The prep was thorough: new tweaks, polished foils, state-of-the-art hydration retention system. But of course, no Birkett weekend would be complete without a touch of chaos.
Minutes before the first start, disaster struck - a snapped trapeze hook. There was panic. There was shouting. There was running. Possibly some light weeping.
Salvation came in the form of Team Lyons from the 49er fleet, who casually handed over a spare hook like it was an oat bar. Absolute legends.
The start sequence resembled a Broadway production of "Flags and Frustration" - general recalls, multiple restarts, and finally, on the fifth attempt, with the black flag flying ominously overhead, the fleet was off. The mighty 1522, led the charge through the Narrows with the grace and aggression of a caffeinated otter, slicing through the fleet and rounding in second place over the water.
It was a moment of glory. A taste of triumph. A fleeting whiff of "we might just win this."
Then we landed. "BLACK FLAG!" came the gleeful cry from the crowd. Cue stunned silence, then a muttered, "Oh for...sake.."
Apparently, one of our many enthusiastic starts had been a tad premature. Saturday dreams, dashed.
Sunday dawned with wind that couldn't make up its mind: west, north, west again, then northwest... and just for fun, a cheeky swing to southwest. The race officer, clipboard in hand and eyes to the sky, moved the line so many times I started to suspect it was part of a sponsored step-count challenge.
Eventually, the fleet roared off on a reach toward Pooley Bridge. The top mark resembled a dodgem rink during a flash mob. Sails flapping, boats colliding, and more shouting than a market square on double discount day. We danced through the chaos, played the shifts up to Norfolk Island, and charged downwind with style and determination.
To cap it all, we executed a textbook capsize right on the finish line. You're welcome, spectators. It's important to give the people what they came for.
A southerner's take on Sunday (Harry Kennedy)
Day 2 was an equally as spectacular as the first with the fleet lined up for a reaching start off towards Pooley Bridge, with the fleet twice as well behaved as the day before only having around 3 general recalls instead of 6 but it was hard to keep count of them all? The only thing we knew was that the only start without a general was always the worst one! After clearing a lane we all hoisted and juggled keeping the kite flying and not being luffed by boats coming out of nowhere.
Then after rounding the turning mark we had a short light wind beat upto the spreader which was a first for me. After rounding in the top 5 Josh and Ali spectacularly capsize to windward when the wind decided shut off with them both on the wire.
Then followed a light wind fetch and beat up to and through the narrows with crews debating having a nap on the foredeck but only if the helms could keep the boat flat. Finally after clearing the narrows the crews got to play on the trapeze wire and a mile upwind later there was even enough wind for the helm to start joining in on the fun but dodging some of the deadly holes along the way!
Approaching Norfolk Island has been exciting especially for Birkett first timers Martin and Harry having the main and jib ragging at points with the bullets seemingly isolated to Norfolk Island.
Now for the best bit, striking the Kite and the twin wire run down the lake with the International Canoe after a spectacular beat wishing for a kite on the way down. With the occasional hole and lots of boats to keep and eye out for and more than a couple needles too the thread. With the club line close off the shore involved 2 tight gybes with moored boats and an open water swimmer to contend with Martin and Harry were first 14 across the line and recovering brilliantly from there capsize Josh and Ali sailed there B4 brilliantly to be the next 14 across the line.
Dan Trotter with the sign off...
Hats off to Liam and Wayne making the drive from Cornwall and Martin and Harry not only surviving their first Birkett Trophy, with Martin and Harry coming away with a very respectable 10th - and yes, they even managed to hoist the kite. Legends in the making.
As for us? We may be orange. We may be disqualified. But we'll be back. Possibly with reinforced trapeze hooks. And definitely with stronger water bottle elastic.