Master of the Masters

John Jennings of St. Petersburg YC made history over the weekend by winning his fourth Masters Regatta over a 12-boat fleet. The 29th Fremont Bank International Masters Regatta – for skippers aged 60 and over and crews 45 or older – was raced out of St. Francis YC. Jennings’ victories (2001, 2002, 2004, 2007) tie four by the late Alan Clarke, who dominated the event in the early years when it was raced on J/24s. These days the Masters is raced on J/105s donated by the local fleet. Jennings’ crew this year was Mark Ploch, Phil Smithies, Kevin Riley and Rob Moore.

The five-race, no-throwout format was condensed into three races Saturday and two on Sunday after rain shut down proceedings on Friday. The majority of the series was sailed in 10-12 knot breeze and – because of the modified programs – racers were out there long enough to sail in both flood and a bit of ebb along the Cityfront courses.

Coming in second this year was StFYC’s Bruce Munro, with Texan Bob Mosbacher and crew taking third. Event founder Don Trask – who conceived of the Masters in 1978 as a way to keep his aging father sailing – once again flew out from his home in North Carolina to take part and renew acquaintences.

Look for more on the Fremont Bank International Masters Regatta in the November issue of Latitude 38.

1) John Jennings, 20 points; 2) Bruce Munro, 21; 3) Bob Mosbacher, 22; 4) Chris Boome, 24; 5) Dick Tillman, 26; 6) Bill LeRoy, 32; 7) Ray Lotto, 34; 8) Steve Taft, 37; 9) Don Martin, 37; 10) Don Trask, 40; 11) Bob Fisher, 46; 12) Tony Smythe, 51.