It was with a great deal of pleasure that we welcomed Gary Jobson’s visit to Seattle to speak at the Boat’s Afloat Show. Of course we wanted to hear what this sailing icon had to say about the sailing world and view the wonderful images he captures in his sailing shows and movies, but even more we wanted to express our joy at his being back in action following his bout with cancer. It’s an ongoing battle which he winning with his verve, focus, modern medicine, and the support of thousands of sailing friends world-wide.
      Gary received over 3000 emails when the sailing community learned of his condition shortly after the last America’s Cup. Now, two years after the stem cell transplant, he conservatively describes his condition as “well”. He tires more easily but still manages to do things like climb the mainmast on a square-rigger in the middle of the Atlantic, do a film in the British Virgin Islands, cruise his Sabre 402, race his Etchells and produce a new book. Amazing what a “nice nap” can do.
      Gary has long been involved with the Leukemia Cup Regattas, which raise money nationwide for Leukemia research. This past summer the events raised three million dollars and have raised eighteen million for the cause since 1993.
      Always a competitive sailor, Gary spent some time cruising with family and friends aboard his Sabre 402 this past summer. “I’m relatively new to the cruising world,” says Gary. “I like to go out with small groups of three to four friends. I especially enjoy the wonder in the eyes of my non-sailing friends.”
      Ever the racer, unsuspecting boats don’t realize they’re being stalked. “I like to make little races. If I see eight boats up ahead I try and catch them. It keeps the crew busy and it’s fun to sail well. I always pull the dinghy up on the foredeck so it doesn’t drag on the boat’s performance.”
      But he’s not always in race mode. “I had a semi-structured schedule. There was a rule everyone had to get off the boat and see something, then a little reading time, leading to the cocktail hour.”
      The Etchells NOOD regatta in Chicago last June was his first race back after treatment. “I was pretty nervous. I hadn’t raced in two years. We did well, I was very pleased and relieved.
      “I really like the Etchells fleet because it’s filled with sportsman and it’s honorable racing. And you can be truly competitive over the age of 50.”
      It’s no coincidence that with Gary’s absence there’s been considerably less sailing on TV. “Sailing’s definitely not jumping on TV. We’ve had four shows on this year. ESPNU is a new college sports only channel which has shown some collegiate racing.
      “Whatever we do, whether it’s film or TV, we want quality, and do it with high end technology. We want to do quality stuff that will not only be good now but will last.”
      Jobson believes that advances in technology will bring sailing into more homes in the next few years. “The hardest thing about TV is actually getting on the air. There is some exciting stuff coming up that will enable anyone to download almost anything to their TV, and that will include sailing.”
      Along with producing movies and TV, Gary has taken on a new sailing mission. “I’ve had a lot of time think about things and what I’ve concluded is that what I want to focus on is supporting Olympic Sailing in the United States. I think it’s important and should be the major sailing event.
      “What makes it so important? It’s got nationalism, great talent and gives young people something to shoot for when they get out of college and high school. It gives them someplace to go, other than getting out of the sport for family and careers. Mounting an Olympic campaign takes a long time, it’s a long term commitment. Sailors may be 28-35 before they reach their peak, and with support they can live life, continue developing their talents and still go for their dream.”
      What about other events like the America’s Cup as a pinnacle of the sport? “Just 10 percent of one America’s Cup program would fund the U.S. Olympic Sailing program. “Olympic sailing is all about tactics and athleticism. That’s what we should concentrate on.”
      After the Seattle Lake Union Boat Show, and a short nap, Gary was catching the red-eye for Connecticut to continue with a long list of commitments. He’s promoting a new DVD he did this summer called “Paradise Found: Sailing the BVI,” as well as his new book, “A-Cats. A Century of Tradition.”
      At the end of his talk in Seattle, Gary extolled sailors to take out non-sailors and just watch the looks of wonder on their faces. He certainly has put the face of wonder on our faces for many years as he presents all aspects of sailing; from America’s Cup sailing to cruising the Antarctic. We look forward to joining him on his sailing journey and it’s good to have him back on the helm.
      For information on Gary Jobson and upcoming projects and events, visit Jobson Sailing on the web - jobsonsailing.com

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