Jobson To Be honoured

Gary JOBSON’S role as a longtime competitor and TV commentator at the ISAF Grade 1, Congressional Cup will be recognized with the presentation of an honorary Crimson Blazer on the eve of the classic.

The Crimson Blazer is customarily awarded to the winning skipper. Former winners Peter GILMOUR of Australia (1988), Terry HUTCHINSON of Annapolis (’92) and Gavin BRADY of New Zealand (’96, ’97) are competing this year, but there also is an illustrious list of honorary winners.

The Meet the Skippers Dinner on Monday 19 April, the night before five days of racing commence, will be three days shy of the date last year when Jobson received a diagnosis of lymphoma, the day he was scheduled for a speaking appearance at the club.

Since then Jobson, 53, has received intensive chemotherapy and, late last year, a stem cell transplant that he described as “the hardest thing I have ever endured in my life.”

Event vice-chair Kate BANKS said, “Gary is being honoured for all of his support in sailing. The honorary Crimson Blazer is awarded to distinguished yachtsmen who, in the unanimous opinion of the Crimson Blazer Committee, contributed exceptionally to the advancement of competitive yacht racing and the success of the Cup.”

Jobson, well known for his America’s Cup, Volvo Ocean Race and other major sailing TV presentations, joins Arthur KNAPP Jr., Andrew GRAHAM II, F. Gregg BEMIS, Henry H. ANDERSON Jr., Thomas FISHER, Gordon M. CURTIS Jr., William DALESSI, Julian K. ROOSEVELT, Cy GILLETTE, Barney FLAM, Frank BUTLER and Pete IVES, all of whom have contributed significantly to the ongoing success of the event.

Jobson said from his home in Annapolis, “I have been around the Congressional Cup since 1977, both on a winning team and a losing team. I have enjoyed interfacing many ideas with the committee over the years. It is an event that should continue to set the high standard of match racing which it has done”.

“The Congressional Cup takes place on one of the best bodies of water for that. The Long Beach Yacht Club should be proud of what it has achieved over the years.”

Competitors include Ed BAIRD(USA), ranked third in the ISAF World Match Race Rankings; Scott DICKSON (USA) Allan COUTTS (RSA), Cameron APPLETON (NZL) and Kelvin HARRAP (NZL); Jes GRAM-HANSEN (DEN) and Mattias RAHM (SWE).

Live radio descriptions and taped video highlights of the racing Tuesday through Saturday, April 20-24, may be seen and heard around the world.

The radio broadcasts will originate locally by special license on 810 AM and also may be heard over the Internet at www.KLBC.org. Highlights may be seen each evening on the event website at the address below.

The racing may be viewed in person from the end of Belmont Pier, where seating and descriptive commentary will be provided free, with snacks and refreshments available.