August, 1948

The 55th Inter-Lake Yachting Association regatta held at Put-in-Bay featured 24 boats in 23 classes racing in good winds. Messmur IV won the Thistle competition with a strong 1-6-1 record, representing 13 different clubs. The three races on the 9-mile triangular course around Battle-snake Island tested starting and mark-turning skills.

Preparations are underway for the National Championship series to begin over Labor Day weekend at Canandaigua Y.C. With 43 boats pre-registered from 17 clubs including entries from California and other distant points, defending champion John Lovett's W.C. LOVETT TOO faces strong competition. Officers and a new Bagpipe editor will be elected at the annual meeting.

The editor had intended to publish an article by Toledo's Jack "Whispering" Snell about his racing strategy with Bill Miller for the Nationals, but the relaxing atmosphere at Put-in-Bay caused them to miss the deadline. Nevertheless, both remain top competitors despite needing to revise their racing program.

The Thistle class participated in the Detroit Race Week over the July 4th weekend. Jabiwa, sailed by A.R. Waugaman, won first place, with Lively Lady and Manamaca taking second and third respectively. Detroit Thistlers expressed concern about their private gathering being publicized.

Ray McLeod's barnstorming tour of Texas and the Southwest sparked tremendous enthusiasm for the Thistle class, resulting in the organization of multiple new fleets in Fort Worth, Galveston, Shreveport, and Topeka. Thistles proved their competitiveness against local boats, winning every race in various match races across the region.

After receiving news from Herb Sinnhoffer about the California Thistle contingent, the fleet is thriving on the Pacific coast with five boats now sailing from Mission Bay. At the Southern California Invitational Regatta at Newport Harbor, Herb won the silver goblet prize with two firsts and a second. Interest in the Thistle class is growing rapidly, with plans underway for a second California fleet charter.

The Leatherslips Y.C. fleet at Columbus, Ohio, one of the earliest Thistle fleets, is reforming after members moved away. Three dentists from the town—Dr. Spangenberg, Dr. Trinny, and Dr. Gump—are reviving the fleet, with two planning to compete at the Nationals while the third maintains their sailing commitment.

Cleveland's Edgewater Y.C. held its annual one-race regatta on July 28 in clear skies and average winds. John Lovett's Wee Lovett Too dominated the three-lap course, with Webb Brumbaugh's Thorny taking second and John Diehl's Frisca finishing third in thirteen-boat competition.

In a two-race match at Cleveland Y.C. Regatta on July 31-August 1, John Lovett again won the Bagatelle trophy with a first and fourth place finish. Webb Brumbaugh took second with his new Willis, while Chuck Williams' Pusat Tasek finished third in races featuring shifting winds and challenging mark roundings.

Five Thistle boats now sail out of Coconut Grove S.C. in Miami and have been consistently winning races against other classes. Jack Price's IMP has the best record, winning the recent Miami Herald match series and earning praise as a developing popular sailboat class. The fleet includes Gordon Bitzer, George Hays, and other enthusiastic members planning a winter championship.

Michigan S.C. at Maxfield is enjoying a good racing season with six boats on Mifflin Lake. Through August first, Frank Janssen leads the standings with 77 5/8 points in Betty J. Too, followed by Bob Fletcher and Lee Forup. Members from the fleet also participated in the Put-in-Bay I.L.Y.A. regatta.

Sandy Douglass won the Central N.Y.Y.R.A. annual regatta at Geneva with two firsts and a fourth in his red Pauet. George Bridgman and Frank LeBoutillier finished second and third respectively. Douglass dominated despite not being an association member, and even outran the entire fleet in the final race on strong winds.

Eugene W. Stetsons Jr. sailed Quick Un to victory in the Thistle series at Larchmont with all firsts except one, when his mast went overboard before the start, preventing his participation. The fleet of seven boats competed with Stetsons carrying 600 pounds of crew.

During Marblehead Race week, twelve Thistles competed, with seven representing the Savin Hill Y.C. fleet. Russel Monaghan won the Corinthian series in the unnamed boat Whip 11. Details of the event are sparse, but participants apparently enjoyed themselves.

Jim Hendricksen swept the three-race Sandusky S.C. regatta trophy with three straight firsts in his PHP No. 21. Dr. Harry Spangenberg finished second in his Auld Leddy, while Bob Laughlin took third in Sewgail. Races featured challenging puffy and gusty winds requiring precise boat handling.

John Lovett won the Vermilion Ninth Shore Regatta one-race meet in his Lovett Too with new heavy Ratsey sails. Harvey Busch led until fouling his spinnaker during the final mark, allowing Lovett to pass and win. Fred Dest's Jade finished second.

Lake Onondaga Thistles engage in chaotic racing due to poor communication between the fleet and race committee. The day consists mostly of confusion about starting signals, capsizing boats, losing gear, and other mishaps. Ryan's Ghost leads the standings despite the pandemonium.

A collection of brief fleet news items and interesting anecdotes about Thistle sailors and their activities, including expansions in Geneva and Europe, personal milestones, acts of heroism, and unusual incidents from various regional fleets.