August 1955

Bill Heintz, President of the Thistle Class Association, won the first Great Lakes Thistle Championship at Rochester in three races on Lake Ontario. Competing against 38 boats from across the country in light to fresh breeze conditions, Heintz demonstrated superior skills and won by combining strong finishes across all three races.

Final race results for the 1955 Great Lakes Thistle Championship regatta held at Rochester, listing all 38 boats with their finishing positions and cumulative point totals across three races.

The National Race Committee has been appointed to replace the Governing Board during the period of the Regatta with complete jurisdiction over all class matters.

Various classified listings for sailboats, sails, and equipment for sale or wanted, including Thistle sailboats and associated racing equipment.

Huntington Long Island Thistle Fleet No. 35 is hosting an invitational regatta on September 24-25 with races on both Saturday and Sunday. The event is open to all Thistles.

The 1955 National Championship Regatta will be held August 22-25 at Crescent Sail Yacht Club on Lake St. Clair in Detroit, with joint sponsorship from Bayview Yacht Club. Excellent facilities including launching ramps and an electric hoist are available, and Lake St. Clair offers beautiful conditions for sailing.

President Bill Heintz announced that the quota for the 1955 Nationals has been increased from 3 to 10% per district, with a minimum of 3 boats from each district, allowing up to 58 boats to participate. District allocations are provided showing registration and quota numbers for each region.

The nominating committee has selected officers for 1956, including Robert Adams as President, Dave Minton as Vice President, Marsden Tuthill as Secretary-Treasurer, Art Arthur Arms as 2nd Vice President and Editor, Douglas Westin as 3rd Vice President and Publicity Director, and George Devlin continuing as Chief Measurer.

Fleet secretaries are reminded of Articles XVI and XVII of the constitution regarding delegate selection, proxies, quorum requirements, and roll call procedures for fleet meetings and the National Championship. A proxy form is provided for members unable to attend in person.

Four proposed constitutional amendments will be voted on at the annual meeting in Detroit: revising the Governing Board composition, removing a section of the by-laws, permitting hiking straps while disallowing hiking posts and trapeses, and establishing specifications for hiking strap dimensions.

Brief notices of recent championship wins: George Butts won the Lake Erie District Championship Regatta, and Sam Merrick won the New Jersey District Championships. Details and National Championship results will be published next month.