Innovative Event, Worthy Cause

Bob Gough

The Texas Sailing Association (TSA) has a long tradition of producing champion racers that have bested the best at events all over the globe. But none of that would have been possible without the support of many selfless Texans who volunteered to run world class events in their home waters.

To honor Bob Gough, one of Texas‘s legendary race officials, a new event to be held January 28 and 29, 2017 has been launched.

Bob has been the face of TSA Championship Race Management for over 30 years and TSA sought to honor his years of service to the sport, as well as acknowledge all the selfless volunteers that run races in the state, by naming this new championship in his honor.

The first annual Bob Gough TSA Race of Champions will be hosted by Bob’s home club, Corinthian Sailing Club (Dallas, TX) and will be a unique, multi-generational format. The winners of each of the classes of the 2016 Youth Circuit were invited to participate. They will bring one adult crew from their home club, CSC will provide the Flying Scot boats for racing, and TSA will supply a Texas Legend crew.

The youth competitors are:
James Brock (Austin YC)
Tony Slowik (Austin YC / Lakewood YC)
Emma McInnis (Corpus Christi YC)
Spencer LeGrande (Austin YC/Houston YC)
Lucy Brock (Austin YC)
Julius Heitkoetter (Austin YC)
Lance Covington (Lakewood YC)
Lucija Ruzevic (Dallas Corinthian YC/P1 Racing Team)

As this group represents all ages and classes of the TSA Youth Circuit – it will be the first time many of these accomplished champions actually race head-to-head.

The Texas Legends (see bios) represent some of the most accomplished sailors in Texas/US history:
Bill Draheim
Kelson Elam
Paul Foerster
Kelly Gough
Doug Kern
Linda McDavitt
Scott Young

Sailboat racing, for Bob, began in 1968, first in a Rebel, progressing to an M-20 and subsequently a Flying Scot. He is a multiple Rebel National Champion and M-20 National Champion. Race management intrigued him and, after attending USYRU seminars, he was appointed a Senior Judge in 1978. He then became a Certified Race Officer upon the inception of that program.

Bob served as Chair of the Mallory Committee (1984-1989) and also had the honor of serving as PRO for the J-22 World Championship in 1996 and the Fort Worth Boat Club was awarded the St Petersburg Trophy for that regatta. Events under his management also included acting as PRO for the J-22 World Championship in Corpus Christi in 2002. He helped bring the Championship of Champions National Regatta to CSC in 2011 and served as Regatta Chair. CSC was awarded the St Petersburg Trophy for the successfully run event.

Over the past 40 years, participation has included TSA rep to Area F, Area F rep to US Sailing and also the TSA Appeals Committee. On the local level, he served as Commodore of CSC in 1974 and again in 2002.

Today, Bob actively races a Flying Scot, is currently a US Sailing National Judge and a Regional Race Officer.