On Saturday, October 24, 2009 at US SAILING’s Annual General Meeting, Gary Jobson was elected by the new board of directors as the next president of the sport’s national governing body.

In his acceptance speech at the board of directors meeting, Jobson highlighted his plans for US SAILING. He discussed the philosophy of the organization and explained US SAILING’s goal to create opportunities for more people to sail and encourage participation, especially among youth. “We want to make sailing safe, easy, and fair,” said Jobson. “We’ll work to make sailing available to everyone.”

Jobson’s election and speech serve as both inspiration and reminder to support our local and national sailing associations.

Nyack Boat Club has a long history with Jobson—both as a visiting lecturer and racer. NBC is one of the three hundred plus boat clubs Jobson has visited in his distinguished career.

Dick Bracken recalls one of Jobson’s first visits to the Nyack Boat Club:

“Gary Jobson did one of his first video shows for Nyack Boat Club in 1981. I was Senior Fleet Captain at the time, and knew Gary as a fellow New York Maritime College (Fort Schuyler ) graduate He was only thirty years old, and had already been tactician on an America's Cup winner, the Twelve Meter COURAGEOUS, skippered by Ted Turner. The Nyack High School auditorium was sold out, and the event profits were used to purchase the club's first-ever portable VHF radios for the Race Committee.”

Earlier this year Jobson was in our area for a speaking engagement organized and sponsored by the Hudson River Yacht Racing Authority (HRYRA).

US Sailing is the parent organization of HRYRA. HRYRA is a member association of US Sailing (Area B) and as such is the nationally sanctioned governing body for all sail boat racing on the Hudson River. It is through HRYRA that we may appeal all the way to US Sailing.

Through Jobson’s words and direct connection to our club we are reminded that we must support both HRYRA and US Sailing. It is through these organizations that we keep the sport of sailing both vital and accessible.