January 1951

The editor reflects on the new year and thanksgiving for sailing and the THISTLE class. He requests members submit material for future issues and resolves to proofread more carefully. He also asks members to send in their 1951 dues and complete questionnaires.

The THISTLE Class President outlines plans for the 1951 racing season, including the First Annual Year Book project, measurement and rules committees, and constitutional revisions. He also addresses the impact of world events on class members.

The Second Annual Icebreaker Series was held on October 8 at Detroit River in front of Bayview Yacht Club. Two races were sailed in rain and light air, with current causing trouble for several sailors. Despite weather challenges, the event was well-attended with lunch provided.

The annual Edgewater Yacht Club Frostbite Series was held October 14-15 with three races. Harvey Busch won the series with two firsts and a second in NAN TOO, with Ken Glory second in WEE WIN and Emery Kampe third in NATURE BOY.

Fleet 36 at Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey had its first year of organized THISTLE racing with great success. Doug Gibb won the fleet championship with T. David Gibb Jr. runner-up in GREEN BANANA. The fleet expects to grow from its current membership.

The Mohiem THISTLE Fleet had an excellent season under Fleet Captain Lee Forup. TAXI CAB (skipped by Walter Burghardt Jr.) won the fleet championship, with MY BABY (Bob Fletcher) second and BETTY J TOO (Harold Dysart) third.

Young Tony Herrmann Jr., 15-year-old son of THISTLE Class President, won the Lake Michigan Penguin Fall Championships with four firsts and never finishing lower than third. Top sailors from four states competed in the seven-race series.

Wally Lineburgh and Edward R. Olsen have formed an association to handle THISTLE sales and support in the Long Island Sound area. Olsen is an experienced boat builder and skipper who previously sailed Lightnings.

The Detroit River THISTLE Fleet is becoming active again after a quiet period. Jack Calbert and Buell Doelle have new boats, and with Dick Blanchard, Oscar Forster, and George Devlin actively racing, the fleet is providing competition for Howard Boston.

The THISTLE Association has decided to make National Championship films available to fleets, with a $5 deposit per reel to encourage careful handling. Films from 1946, 1948, and 1949 are currently available, with 1950 Milford films coming soon.

Various fleet news and accomplishments: Frank Greenman elected Commodore of Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association; Bob Eaglert appointed to Naval Academy; Bill Irwin racing PIPE DREAM; Robert Odell piloting his own pontoon plane from the Yacht Club.