Kingston Whig-Standard - Saturday, July 27, 1996

Brothers battle ­for World Cup title

Jeff Mitchell wins Shark­class sailing championship ­ and family bragging rights

by James Madge

Whig-Standard Staff Writer

Christmas will be hell at the Mitchell house this year.

For Burlington's Jeff Mitchell earned bragging rights at the dinner table over his brothers yesterday when he stole the 1996 Shark World Cup sailing championship out from under their feet.

The final day of the regatta, being hosted by the Kingston Yacht Club, turned into a family affair for the Mitchells when Kingston's Don Ruddy and crew found themselves out of the running, after a disqualification and equipment failure effectively eliminated them on Thursday.

Only 2.25 points separated .Jeff and his Frankly Scarlet from brothers Jack and Ken in Cracker Jack going into yesterday's final race. But despite being on the short end of the deficit, Jeff made up more than enough by taking first place on the day and leaving his brothers back in 11^th position.

"I don't mind losing to Jeff," said .Jack graciously. "He's a good sailor."

It was only Frankly Scarlet's second first of the series, but consistent top five placings kept them close throughout the championships. Their worst performance was a 15^th in race six, but under the regatta rules it was dropped from their overall tital of 30.5, giving them the fewest points and the championship.

"They walked away with it," said Jack, who added if he had to lose to anybody it might as well be to his brother. "They sailed good today."

Graeme Jones of Lisle, Ontario dueled with Mitchell for the victory briefly during the final race, but wound up second on the day and in the series with 38 points. Cracker Jack's 11^th placing relegated them to third spot overall with 38.5. Kingston's Roger Rathbun and Jamie Shadwell were the only locals to crack the Top 10, placing eigth and tenth respectively.