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2010 MOBJACK NATIONALS Report by Mark Arnold
The 51st Mobjack National Championship Regatta was hosted by Lewes Yacht Club, August 20-22, 2010 and sailed off Lewes Beach between Roosevelt Inlet and Breakwater Harbor on the Delaware Bay just inside Cape Henlopen. Friday started off light but boats were launched and PRO Don Bland started the first race right on time. We competed on a Triangle-windward/leeward course with 6 legs to start the regatta. The wind died by the end and the last boat ran out of the time limit. We broke for lunch and waited for the wind. After and hour the RC sent us ashore to wait and we gladly took a break. When the wind turbine behind at the University of Delaware Research campus across from the Yacht Club stops turning, it can’t be good for sailing! At 4pm the RC boat had measured a steady 6 knots for 45 minutes and called us out to start race 2. The zephyrs let us aim straight for the mark but only Mark caught the full force of it and got lifted to the mark. The wind took a break and the current set in so the rest of the fleet struggled to make the windward mark, moving steadily further away! After her fourth approach, with three people aboard, Connie Miller finally rounded second and everyone else cheered. Alas, she barely brushed the mark and had to do a 360 in those impossible conditions but at least she was drifting in the right direction. Meanwhile the rest of continued to struggle and Mark rounded the leeward mark then crept up the shore out of the current and lapped the rest of the fleet. Connie proceeded to the leeward mark and headed back to the finish. It was a W3 course, not a W5! It pays to read the course board. Anyway, Connie, Hannah and Gay finished the race within the 2 hour time limit while the rest of us watch rays and moon jellyfish swim by. Her sweet first place finish started a 30 minute clock for the rest of us. Mark and Matt came back around the leeward mark and finished with in the time at which point a nice zephyr started the rest of the boats moving. Josh and Len Guenther got around followed at a distance by Meg and Tom Roberts while the others were struggling. Josh and Len missed the time limit by seconds and we sailed into the sunset as an evening breeze finally came up. At this point we were already down to only two boats eligible for the Anchor Award and they were in first and second place! Saturday was a lovely day with 5-10 knots and relatively steady from the North East. Again the Race committee got us off on time and we had two excellent races in before lunch. Mark was becoming harder and harder to catch. The starts were interesting though in that there was strong current holding the RC boat parallel to the starting line and pushing boats across. Mark had an over early and the lines were crowded. Josh and Len amazed the RC with a dip start in the first race coming around the windward side of the RC boat to start! Breaking for lunch, LYC delivered gourmet sandwiches out on the course. The wind built a bit and we went back to racing with a windward mark reset halfway to Europe, or at least it seemed to be out to the Ferry Channel. Regardless we had another great race chasing Mark around the course. It came down to Meg and Josh competing for second place. The next race was shorter and then we had four in for the day but it was only 2:30/ The flag stayed up and we went off again for a fifth time, this one a Triangle course. By the time the current had abated and the line appeared proper. The wind had picked up and we set out on a deep reach out to the gybe mark, moving smartly. After the gybe it was a tight reach and the boats got lively/. You forget about those fun spinnaker reaches with windward leeward courses becoming the norm. While we would have been happy with four races, the fifth was short and the most fun, so we headed in to clean up for dinner.
Sunday the wind hovered around 10 knots from the south east and the wind turbine was spinning steadily. Skies were slightly overcast and it seemed ominous. We sailed out and Tom and Duncan were able to join us after spending Saturday repairing their boat. Off we went towards shore with a growing current and puffs coming off the beach. The first reach was deep so we knew the second would be really tight so only Mark and Matt set a spinnaker. The rest of us waited for the show and we were not disappointed. Soon all of us were reaching under only Jib and Main. Mark made the leeward mark first but touched the buoy and had to do turns. Josh passed him and Mark Finally had a challenge with Meg not far behind. Working our way back to the beach we found the starboard tack lifting us steadily. We rounded at the beach and gybed soon to head back out under spinnakers. The run was fun and in a couple puffs the wind came way forward on the port gybe. Mark won it again followed by Josh, Meg, Paynter Ingram, Tom Ward, Connie then Al. Meg and Josh are now tied for second, but Meg would be ahead on tiebreakers. Race 9: A W5 (see the photo below) Winds up and down and shiftier with current running down the starting line. The gun goes off and the boats are piled up at the pin and coming around the RC boat, but tack onto port and blast off. Mark ekes out a lead at the windward mark with Josh and Meg hot on his transom. The wind is over the starboard side and we race out with spinnakers pulling us smartly. A few puffs but steady direction, until just before the leeward mark. Just before the boats are preparing to douse the spinnaker the puff shifts to the left and Mark heads out into the bay as they claw their spinnaker down. Meg and Tom had just put the pole in and gybed so doused the spinnaker (as planned) and were around the mark headed in the right direction. Now we had a different race with Meg followed by Josh and Mark in third with adrenalin flowing. We take the starboard tack and again are lifted up towards the mark and riding the current. Meg is covering Josh’s every move except one near the windward Mark and Josh pulls into the lead around the mark. Another port gybe and fun run down wind in hot pursuit. Around the leeward mark we tack onto starboard and sprint toward the finish. Both Meg and Josh tack onto Port and head for the finish, In any other race Meg would have had to tack again but the current was carrying her right down the layline to the finish. And we had almost a dead heat going on. Josh caught a nice puff that put him ahead and he won be a couple boat lengths to wrap up first in that race and Second Overall. What a regatta. The skies were really looking ominous as we raced for the Inlet and Marina then short tacked up the canal to the boat ramp. Fortunately a large motor cruiser held up so the three boats tacking in unison up the canal could reach the dock.
Lewes Yacht Club once again out did themselves with their warm welcome and abundant hospitality. The Race Committee led by PRO Don Bland, Assist PRO Michelle Bland, Kathy O'Hanlon, Elinor Hughes and boat Captain Nick (who provided his Catalina 36 “Delgado”) did a wonderful job. They were assisted by numerous others over the three days who manned the marks, chase boats and lunch boats patiently and professionally. We also appreciated the pastries, fruit salads, hardboiled eggs and other breakfast items provided by the LYC members and the offer to participate in water aerobics before the Sunday race. In addition to the trophies, each recipient and crew were awarded a framed print of one of two colorful Mobjack racing scenes rendered beautifully in watercolor by Linda Dickey of Lewes.
Final Standings and Summary of Awards: National Champion Mark Arnold with Matt Frank - Broad Bay Sailing Association The Mobjack Systems Husband-Wife Team Award and the Stephanie Anne Ives Junior Skipper Trophies were not awarded this year. For the more information on the fastest Mobjack sails, contact the North Mobjack experts.
Report by Mark Arnold (winner!) 47th Mobjack National Championship
Today, the final race was held for the 47th Mobjack Nationals at Lewes Yacht Club. Racing took place on the Delaware Bay, just inside Cape Henlopen near Breakwater Harbor. Mark Arnold, of Chesapeake, with crew Matt Frank of Suffolk strung together 6 first place finishes and one “Photo” Finish with Rowland Marshal and Connie Miller from Lewes Yacht Club. We had seven races and each racer was able to throw out there worst race. Mark and Matt did not even have to sail in the last race. This is a Mobjack National record, no winner has ever posted scores in a National event like this before. Rowland Marshall and Connie Miller overcame a capsize and still finished to edge out Len and Josh Guenther for second. This makes the 9th time Mark has earned the National Championship and fourth for them as a team. Mark and Matt scored 6 firsts followed by one second. The racers enjoyed great competition and expert regatta management by the Lewes Yacht Club. The seven races were sailed around modified gold cup courses, a 5 ½ leg race (triangle / windward / leeward / windward) with each leg approximately a mile or more in length. Twenty seven boats competed with skippers aged 15 to 84. Many family teams and some husband/wife teams competed. The morning races were sailed in great air followed by lunch /wind breaks and the afternoon races became nice romps as a seabreeze filled in. Lewes Yacht Club once again excelled at their hospitality, providing homemade pastries and fresh fruit breakfasts, a refreshing pool with morning water-aerobics, hearty meals, and an excellent, well staffed and alert race committee. A highlight of the regatta was the new clubhouse. Lewes Yacht Club rebuilt and added 2 bars and many places to hang out. Friday and Saturday two historical sailing vessels provided an interesting back drop to the racing and a visual diversion between races. One was Delaware’s Tall Ship, the “Kalmar Nyckel“, a replica of the Swedish three-masted armed pinnace (warship), that brought the first permanent European settlers to the Delaware Valley in 1638. The other was the “A.J. Meerwald”, a genuine Delaware Bay oyster schooner built in 1928 with sleek sailing lines and a gleaming white hull. In addition, the sailors were escorted out to the race course Sunday by fifteen to twenty dolphins. Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association provided support and sanctioned the regatta. During the Business Meeting, Jerry Desvernine was re-elected President, Jeff Fultcher Vice President, Mark Arnold Treasurer, Tom Ward Secretary, Len Guenther Chief Measurer, Tracy Kubinec Member at Large, and Al Williamson Member at Large. A Commitment was made to build new boats and masts using Mobjack Sales, Inc. REGATTA HIGHLIGHTS: TOP 15:
Additional trophies and special awards: The Stein Award (Senior National Champion) - presented to the skipper with the best finish who is 63 years of age or older at the start of the National Championship Regatta. The Ulmer Award - presented to the member participating in their first Nationals as a skipper who finishes highest in the regatta but does not receive a position award. The Stephanie Ann Ives Memorial Trophy (Youth Award) - presented to that member skipper, not having reached their 21st birthday during the year the Nationals is held, who finishes highest in the regatta but does not receive a position award or the Ulmer Award for the regatta. The “Family Award” - presented to the qualifying skipper who finishes highest in the regatta but does not receive a position award, Ulmer Award or youth award. To qualify, the skipper must have at least one crew member from another generation of their family aboard. The “Top Woman Skipper Award” - presented to the female skipper finishing highest in the National Championship Regatta. The Mobjack Systems Award - presented to the husband-wife team regardless of which is skipper and crew who have the best finish among husband-wife teams. The “Long Haul Award” - presented to that member who trails their boat the longest distance in order to participate in the Nationals. The “Fleet Award” - presented to the fleet (other than the host fleet) which has the largest number of boats participating in the Nationals. In the case of a tie, the fleet with the highest total standing in the regatta shall be given the award. The “Anchor Award” - presented to the skipper who has the largest number of total points of all skippers completing every race. In the tradition of this award the winner is to maintain the trophy for the following year and add one piece of memorabilia or otherwise make improvements to enhance the trophy. The Stephen McDonough Sr. Award - presented to the skipper who has displayed the best sportsmanship during the regatta. This was determined by a vote of the participating sailors.
2003 MOBJACK NATIONALS! Sunday, August 17, 2003 44th Mobjack National Championship
1 506 Mobster Smith, Trey 3 2 1 6.00 Notes Information is provisional and subject to modification Principal Race Officer: John McCarthy The winner will be awarded the International Mobjack Championship
Trophy. Prizes will also be awarded to 2nd through 5th positions. The Ulmer Award will be presented to the member participating in their
first Nationals as a skipper who finishes highest in the regatta but
does not receive a position award. The Stephanie Ann Ives Memorial Trophy (Youth Award) shall be presented
to that member skipper, not having reached their 21st birthday during
the year the Nationals is held, who finishes highest in the regatta
but does not receive a position award or the Ulmer Award for the regatta. The “Family Award” shall be presented to the qualifying skipper
who finishes highest in the regatta but does not receive a position award,
Ulmer Award or youth award. To qualify, the skipper must have at least one
crew member from another generation of their family aboard. The “Top Woman Skipper Award” shall be presented to the
female skipper finishing highest in the National Championship Regatta. The Mobjack Systems Award shall be presented to the husband-wife team
regardless of which is skipper and crew who have the best finish among
husband-wife teams. The “Long Haul Award” shall be presented to that member
who trails their boat the longest distance in order to participate
in the Nationals. The “Fleet Award” shall be presented to the fleet (other
than the host fleet) which has the largest number of boats participating
in the Nationals. In the case of a tie, the fleet with the highest
total standing in the regatta shall be given the award. The “Anchor Award” shall be presented to the skipper who
has the largest number of total points of all skippers completing every
race. In the tradition of this award the winner is to maintain the
trophy for the following year and add one piece of memorabilia or otherwise
make improvements to enhance the trophy. The Stephen McDonough Sr. Award shall be presented to the skipper
who has displayed the best For more information:
NORTH SAILS 1,2,3 AT THE 2002 MOBJACK NATIONALS!
The winds were light but pretty steady. We managed to win the first 3 races with blazing speed. In the last 2 races we played the points game and took 3-3 North dominated the 5 race series with 7 out of the top ten using North Sails. For more information, contabct the North Mobjack experts! Photo: Mark Arnold, 2002 National Champion
TOP TEN
NORTH SAILS DEFENDS TITLE ON THE 2000 MOBJACK
NATIONALS!
REGATTA RESULTS: 1. Tylers Toy 2-1-1-5-3 12 Mark Arnold Matt Frank Chesapeake Va. For more information on the 2000 Nationals contact:
NORTH WIN 1999 MOBJACK NATIONALS! 40th MOBJACK NATIONAL Championship Regatta 20 - 22 AUGUST 1999 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
For more information on Mobjack sails, contact the North Mobjack experts.
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1st Kikinbird 505 6 Mark Arnold with Matt Frank - Chesapeake, VA - BBSA (2)-1-1-1-1-1-1
8th 295 48 A. Paynter Ingram and F Lewes DE Lewes Yacht Club 8-9-(10)-7-7-7-10
Today, the final race was held for the 44th Mobjack Nationals at Warwick
Yacht and Country Club. Racing took place on the James River, just
off of Deep Creek and the Warwick River. Trey Smith, of Virginia Beach,
with crew Jordan Wintringham, with a new North Spinnaker both of Virginia
Beach broke the tie remaining after Saturday’s racing with North
Sails Rep Mark Arnold, Chesapeake, VA and crew Matt Frank of Chesapeake,
VA. This makes the 3rd time Trey and Jordan have earned the National
Championship. Bob Beach and Alan Potts of Winchester, VA finished in
third and also claimed the Senior National Champion Award. In Fourth
was Len Guenther of Chesapeake, VA with his daughter Heidi as crew.
Mark and Matt had great boat speed but a bad start in the light air
on the James River proved too much to catch Trey. Mark was able to
get to second place. Competitors commented on Marks great boat speed
that he credited to great crew work and the new North Sails design
on the Jib and Main. Mark made great gains down wind that was evident
in the first race. The new North Spinnaker was set on the second leg
and increased his lead on each set. The racers enjoyed great competition
and expert regatta management by the Warwick Yacht Club. The five races
were sailed around double gold cup courses, a 5 ½ leg race (triangle
/ windward / leeward / windward times two) with each leg approximately
a mile or more in length. Seventeen boats competed with skippers aged
15 to 80. Many family teams and some husband/wife teams competed. The
morning races were sailed in light air followed by lunch /wind breaks
and the afternoon races became nice romps as a sea breeze filled in.
Broad Bay Sailing Association and Barb Guenther once again excelled
at their hospitality, providing homemade pastries and fresh fruit breakfasts,
a refreshing pool with morning water-aerobics, hearty meals, and an
excellent, well staffed and alert race committee. In addition, the
sailors were escorted out to the race course Sunday by fifteen to twenty
dolphins. Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association and Broad Bay Sailing
Association sanctioned the regatta. 
We
arrived in Lewes Delaware at 1035am Thursday. We picked up the 2 new
jibs around 11. We got on the water to test drive the new sails. They
looked great!
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