2000 MOBJACK NATIONALS!
By Mark Arnold

August 18-20, 2000 41st Mobjack National Sailing Championship Old Dominion University Sailing Today, the final two races were held for the 41st Mobjack Nationals at Old Dominion University Norfolk Virginia. Racing took place on the Elizabeth River near the mouth of the Layfette River. Five races were completed and Mark Arnold, of Chesapeake Virginia, with crew Matt Frank successfully defended their title that they won in 1999. They maintained their 2-point lead over Rob Whittemore, of Richmond, with crew John Wake. This was Mark's 7th National Championship. Only three points out of second was John Gardner, Alexandria Va, with crew Rob Scott. Competitors enjoyed great competition and expert regatta management from the Old Dominion University Sailing staff.

Mark Arnold left holds the Nationals Trophy Right is Matt Frank

The five races were sailed around trapezoid and windward / Leeward courses. The cool temperatures under a 7-15 knot North-to-North Easterly breeze, and one tiny passing funnel-cloud added to the excitement of the sailors. A first for the Mobjack Class was that we were able to raise moneys for the Old Dominion Sailing center. The generosity of the fellow class members raised over $1,400. A great way to give back to support our great sport of sailing.

REGATTA RESULTS:

1. Tylers Toy 2-1-1-5-3 12 Mark Arnold Matt Frank Chesapeake Va.
2. Precious 1-3-2-7-1 14 Rob Whittemore John Wake Richmond Va.
3. Fortuitous 4-2-3-6-2 17 John Gardner Rob Scott Alexandria
4. Mobster 3-4-7-2-10 26 Trey Smith Jordan Wintringham Va. Beach Va.
5. Candy Pants 8-7-5-1-6 27 Amy Ironmonger Goeff Becker California Md.
6. Vintage 14-6-6-4-4 34 Hank Strother John Kenney Alexandria Va.
7. Hostage 5-9-4-8-11 37 Jim Rice Merle Rice Newport News Va.
8. Utmoast 9-5-DNF-3-5 42 Jim Butler Chris Butler Newport News Va.
9. Halfast 15-11-8-10-7 51 Rodney Evans Holger Stenberg Lewes DE.
10. Yolo 7-10-DNS-13-8 58 Rowland Marshall Connie Miller Lewes DE.
11. Mobjacket12-12-12-11-1259 Meg Roberts Tom Roberts West Point Va.
12. Tonto 10-13-9-12-15 59 Gordon Edwards Andy Edwards Portsmouth Va.
13. Elan' 13-15-10-14-9 61 Caroline Collins Ron Lloyd Richmond Va.
14. Ghostbusters6-8-13-DNS-DNS 67 David Rowland Nora Rowland Norfolk, Va.
15. Road kill 11-16-11-9-DNF67 Joe Kubinec Tracy Kubinec Hollywood MD.
16. Vanilla 16-14-14-16-13 73 Sam Jackson Pete Brown Baltimore MD.
17. Hotspur 18-18-15-15-14 80 Jimmy Hawks Greg Wilson Portsmouth Va.
18. No Felix 17-17-17-17-1684 Duncan Ward Tom Ward Washington DC.
19. Comen'About 19-19-16-18-1789 Al Williamson Tim Moody Knoxville

1999 MOBJACK NATIONALS!
By Mark Arnold

40th MOBJACK NATIONAL Championship Regatta
hosted by Glenmar Sailing Association and the Baltimore Sailing Center

20 - 22 AUGUST 1999
Middle River and Hawke Cove - Essex, MD

The 40th meeting of the Mobjack Class to determine it's National Champion was held on the Middle River of Maryland, sailing from Baltimore County's Rocky Point Park. We were greeted by a smiling Sam Jackson who had organized a great weekend.

Race headquarters was on a shady knoll overlooking the park. The park offered expanses of grass, shady picnic areas, a beach with volleyball and lifeguards, spacious ramps and a point dotted with fishermen during the day. The park is home to Baltimore Sailing Center's fleet of JY14s and 15's.

Thursday was registration and practice (for those diehards). Then we convened at a wonderful restaurant named "Glories" at the end of a winding road. Registration revealed that the Mobjack "family" was really convening. Three boats were crewed by father/son or father/daughter teams, one by brother/sister and one by husband/wife and one by brother /brother-in-law. Two skippers were over 75 and several past National Champions were registered. A total of 24 boats were ready for the action.

Friday brought light air and we set out for the course. An Olympic triangle was set with the windward mark out towards the Bay.

The wind all but died as we started but we walked the zephyrs upwind, one of us much better than the rest. It took forever to round the windward mark as one of our number "escaped". The light air shifted as the fleet rounded and we beat up to the second mark. As the main body of the fleet round and set spinnakers, a grey cloud brought all the wind we were missing. Some were caught unaware after struggling for two legs while others blasted off. The waves mounted and we were surfing downwind.

Negotiating the leeward mark was made trickier by a capsized boat. They had help if needed though so we worked our way up to windward climbing the waves then a wild ride downwnd that saw no spinnakers but plenty of spray from surfing! Back up to the finish line and relief that that there would be no second race that afternoon. Trey Smith had beaten the clock, our three hour time limit, by a mere 4 minutes! Thank you Trey and Jordan. Mark was in seventh at the last mark and with his icrediable speed was able to catch every boat except Trey, New sails do make a differance! All but one capsized boat righted itself and that was because their centerboard (of all things!) broke. We all went back to recount the thrills and continued the discussion through dinner at the "Caddie Shack Inn". The variety of meals was refreshing for one and all. We got a great sampling of genuine Maryland cooking. Afterwards we were treated to Steve Mc Donough and his sister entertaining us at the Kareoke Bar with their awesome rendtion of "We are Family". Both Steve and his sister sing professionally so we really were treated! The whole McDonough Family was present for at least part of the weekend.

Saturday was softly overcast but no storms in site. That meant it was cooler and a steady breeze. The line was set with a port favor that spread the boats out on the starting line and they took off in search of the best wind. The left side was favored but not overly so We approached the windward mark enmasse to be baraged by the wakes of a fleet of powerboats leaving for a weekend cruise at full throttle as the wind took a short break. Sorting that out we rounded and took off fot the gybe mark. The course was really well laid out as both reaches were tight but not too tight. The boats got up and moved! Tracy and Joe Kubineck led us around this course but Mark outdid them on the last upwind to eek out the victory. Once the main group of the fleet was finished others were finished in place and we went back to do it again.

The wind stayed up but took away the left side favor. The shifts were more dicrete this time and crafty skippers used them well.

Mark again led this race but had to play cat and mouse with Trey and Jordan. They split the lead over and over with Mark edging them finally on the last beat. What a great day of sailing!

We enjoyed the comfortable breezes and lush surroundings of the park with a picnic style cookout at the point. This included the usual burgers and dogs but also included lucious bratwurst cooked to perfection. Several delicious deserts were contributed, the most notable being the mouthwatering chocolate eclair cake! Chocolate loveres were in heaven. We were seranaded by a Thistle sailor who was a member of the Race Committee with his rendition of the school song of the National Embalming School.

The annual meeting was held efficiently. New officers for 1999-2000 are Tom Roberts, President; Jerry Desvernine, Vice President; Tom Ward, Secretary, Mark Arnold, Treasurer; and Perry Jones, Chief Measurer. We noted that resoltions from alst year had been voted on aand passed and weere reflected in this years sailing instructions. We approved Case Whittemore's search to replace the builder for the class and determined to resolve thhe direction of Mobjack Systems to support the fleets.

The Web page has been renovated this year and continues to evolve, perhaps even offering parts, pieces and boats for sail over the Internet. A toast and remembrance of Bob Stein was made, as the theme of the regatta was "This One's for Bob!". The night was marked with a jam session with Duncan's guitar and a crowd in the Ward's room till the wee hours.

Sunday looked grey when we started but cleared up quickly. We had a nice sail out to the starting line but the wind died as we started. Nevetheless, we worked our way to the zephyrs. Boats inched past each other only to have the one beside them do the same thing minutes later. When the sky really cleared and the clock apprached noon, the pleasure boats came out in droves. This of course made the race course look like a washing machine and we bounced around looking for breeze. After rounding the windward mark we headed off to the next mark. Then the winds decided to play with us. Wind shifts were severe and every adjustment or spinnaker set was made tentively. Boats were often seen on opposite tacks heading in the same direction or the same tack heading in completely different directions. As hard as Mark, Trey and the rest of us tried we could not finish this race within the time limit and the race was abandonded. Disappointed but at the same time relieved, we headed in.

Once ashore we packed our boats and assembled to distribute the silver. Mark Arnold and Matt Frank were crowned National Champions. Runners-up were Trey Smith and Jordan Winteringham, followed by Tracy and Joe Kubinec, Bob Beach and Alan Potts and Dave Rowland and Steve McDonough. The Mobjack Systems Award for Senior Skipper was awarded to Rowland Marshall. The Longest Haul and Anchor Awards were once again won by Al Williamson and Tim Moody. Todd Stein and Tom Ward, who orginated the Anchor Award, explained it's prestige and inception as they awarded it. The Family Award was won by Len and Heidi Guenther. The Steven McDonough Award was given posthumously the Bob Stein for his contribution to making this event a family reunion. Congratulations and thanks were expressed to the Race Committee, Glenmar Sailing Association, the Baltimore Sailing Center and especially Sam Jackson for leading the planning and execution of a very well organized and great event. The results of the regatta are as follows:

TOP FIVE:

1. MARK ARNOLD Matt Frank - North Sails
2. TREY SMITH Jordan Winteringham
3. JOE KUBINEC Tracy Kubinec - North Sails
4. BOB BEACH Alan Potts
5. DAVE ROWLAND Steve McDonough