Todays interview with the legendary Mark Townsend
Mark grew up sailing in the U.K and became a British Snipe National Champion.
He moved on to be Captain of the Middlesex University Team Racing Team as well as the British Team Racing Team.
Mark represented Great Britain sailing several times from 1977 through 1983 including at the 1981 Snipe Worlds hosted by Alamitos Bay YC where he met his wife. He became Commodore of ABYC in 1983.
This led to named Race Director of the St Maarten Heineken Regatta.
He has been part of the organizing committee of Long Beach Race Week for over 20 years.
He is one of just six people worldwide holding International Certifications, by World Sailing, as a Race Officer, Judge and Umpire.
At home and abroad, Mark has served as a judge or umpire for over 50 major events since 2015. Served as race officer at 80 major events dating back to 1991. He can speak to what it takes to pull off a high level Regatta. He is sought after world-wide to officiate over events. He is an International Judge, International Umpire and an International Race Officer. His trifecta of certifications puts him in an elite category: more men have been to the moon!
Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week
| It’s been three long years since the last edition of Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week and sailors cannot wait to get back on the racecourse! June 24, 25 and 26 will see the return of this favorite West Coast regatta, with three thrilling days of racing followed by nightly music and mingling at Long Beach Yacht Club (LBYC) and Alamitos Bay Yacht Club (ABYC). |
| Who can forget the last USLBRW? Held in June of 2019, over 100 sailing teams were tested by classic Long Beach conditions that tickled the twenties. The days were sunny and hot, while balmy temps made the parties superb. Now, after a two year pause due to the pandemic, USLBRW is back and better than ever!“It’s game on!” announced Bruce Cooper, owner of Ullman Sails Newport Beach, the event’s title sponsor. “California sailors have been waiting with huge anticipation on the return of this world class regatta. Ullman Sails will be there in full force with sails on the race course, and the loft crew doing overnight sail repair service.” “The whole Ullman Sails crew is excited and proud to be with ABYC and LBYC at USLBRW again,” Cooper added, nothing that ABYC and LBYC have co-hosted the event for nearly two decades: a collaboration that ensures first-rate race management. The combined effort of these elite clubs allows organizers to host multiple classes concurrently on three separate race circles: one inside the breakwater and two outside. One-design classes can look forward to seven windward-leeward races over the three-day regatta, while PHRF entrants can choose between windward-leeward or random leg racing.“ Three race venues, with small to big boats, enjoy big breeze each day and are greeted with food and drink after racing, at great parties each night. Nobody does it like ABYC and LBYC,” Cooper continued. “I look forward to seeing everyone on the water June 24!” A solid J/70 class is lining up, with Viper 640, Schock 35, J/111, J/109, Farr 40 and Beneteau 36.7 one-design entrants as well, plus a strong contingent in PHRF. The Catalina 37 fleet National Championship title will be up for grabs, after being locked up by LBYC Staff Commodore Dave Hood and Team DH3 since 2019. Likewise ABYC has reigned as Yacht Club Challenge victor since 2019: with opponents eager to topple that title. USLBRW promises great racing and friendly rivalries in the best-in-the-west yachting venue. Registration is open through June 21. Race day begins Friday June 24 with a weather briefing at 1015AM by Ullman Sails’ Bruce Cooper, and Skippers’ meeting at 1030AM. Then the action starts – with first warning at 1255PM. First warning Saturday and Sunday June 25 and 26 is at 1155AM. ABYC will host Friday night’s festivities, with Saturday and Sunday night parties at LBYC. All feature complimentary hors d’oeuvres, music and dancing with a hometown reunion vibe. Competitors are invited to enjoy the clubs’ services and amenities – including the ice machine, and free water taxi service between the clubs until 9PM Friday and Saturday. |
Looking forward to the return of Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week! Thanks Mark for the great interview 🙂