Sept. - Oct., 1960

Bruce Goldsmith's Thistle from Wisconsin won the 1960 National Championship at Crescent Sail Yacht Club in Detroit during the week of Aug. 14-19. The article details Goldsmith's sailing resume, his wife Pam's involvement, and the competitive race results, highlighting the three-day regatta's challenging conditions.

A detailed account of significant TCA Governing Board decisions made during the National Championship week that affected Thistle class regulations. The Board suspended an owner from competition, denied permission to sail Nationals for improper registration, censured the Central Atlantic district, and amended various by-laws regarding presidents, measurers, and fleet charters.

The TCA's 1960 Annual Meeting elected officers and approved recommendations for the upcoming year. The meeting centered on discussing centerboard initiatives and experimental modifications to Thisville for the 1961 Nationals, with delegates emphasizing weight restrictions and measurement standards.

Local fleets in the I. I. District competed for championships using the same boat in exceptionally hot sailing conditions. The article describes two races featuring unreliable winds, port tack tactics, and competitive results in light and variable breezes.

In an annual regatta at the Raritan Yacht Club of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Al Williams, defending champion, lost the District Championship title to Bill Walsh of Toms River in a closely fought series of races. The multi-page article details the challenging wind conditions, racing tactics, and the ultimate victory of Walsh.

Al Williams won the 1960 Atlantic Coast championship, capturing the Coastal Series competition at lower New York Bay with his consistent sailing performance. The article describes the inaugural event sponsored by Great Kills Yacht Club, Staten Island and race details.

Jerry White and his crew from Pittsburgh Yacht Club, along with Kalyea as crew, sailed a consistently strong series to win the Great Lakes Thistle championship at a regatta hosted by the Erie Yacht Club. The article details multiple races with changing wind conditions and competitive placings.

Doug MacGregor won the New England District championship in a competitive event featuring eighteen Thistles racing in a three-series format. The article describes the racing tactics and results from multiple races with varying wind conditions.

A beautifully prepared light blue Thistle named "Windless" and skippered by Roy Stack with five days before the championship races at Kaneohe Bay became one week before the National Championship. The boat won the Lake Erie District championship races with notable performance.

George Butts of Sandusky Sailing Club piloted his yellow Thistle "Flapoo" to victory in the Lake Erie District championship, winning on Saturday at Sandusky bay. The article details the competitive racing with notable participants and first trophy awards.

Tuning up for his victory in the 1960 Nationals, Bruce Goldsmith sailed out to the Lake Michigan District championships at Desoto, Illinois, July 30-31. Roger Brett was second with Ed Walton third in the competitive championship racing.

Twelve Thistles representing all four fleets in the Delta district met at Lake Tahoe's Travis Key area for the 1960 District championship competition. Metcalf used superior drifting ability to capture the championship despite challenging wind conditions and tactically complex races.

An informal note asking the editor for clarification about the location of the "Thistle" fleet in the West Coast, describing Fleet No. 56 and boats based there. The author expresses interest in promoting Thistle sailing on the West Coast.

Thistlers were given a friendly welcome to the island of Pymlinglan as they arrived for the club's fiftieth annual whileasting regatta. Russell stood by with promises of clearing skies quoting wind conditions, offering a series of postmodern races. First-place finishes gained superiority and the boat's speed advantage.

The Crosby Yacht Club celebrated the Fourth of July with a three-day race regatta, going west on a surprise visit where Thistler fleet members on the Highland Lakes Thistle fleet, who literally undetered fleet calling occasion.

Bill Walton took top honors in the Thistle class at the 20th Annual Middle-States Regatta, held Labor Day weekend in Springfield, Illinois. Playings held to seven classes of 124 sailboats. Bruce Goldsmith finished 1962 National champ in a light race from his days and Phelps third position.

A record fleet of 31 Thistles took part in this year's District Regatta at Lake Lanier, near Atlanta in Georgia. Head retained his District title with a total of 146½ points in five competitive races. First and second race honors came from outside competition.

Classified advertisements and boat-for-sale listings, including boats from various models and years with different configurations, pricing information, and seller contact details. Includes entry materials, rigging equipment, and custom trailers.

With the long Central Atlantic district season going into the final month of October and beyond to be about as opposite as the Fifties and Yanks in baseball. Wiley and Hoyt having won all but one of the regatta they entered in the district had become the elite to watch in the hours waters, and upland champion Al Williams had it was Wiley who came out to win the regatta and upland and apparent champion Al Williams but it was Wiley who came out to win the regatta.

The South Atlantic district's "Five Flags Regatta" presented a very close only three-way battle involving boats that only by the 18 of the Regatta. A report on competing boats from Thistles, including rankings from various clubs and skipper results.

On July 16 and 17 the Thistle Fleet 39 of the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club was host to visiting skippers from Connecticut, New York, Maryland and Pennsylvania for their annual open regatta. Elmer Richards (725) of the local club posted finish of 10-1-4 to edge the Hopatcong Fleet Captain, the Vander Gaag (226) for the championship.

Fair Haven Yacht Club was host for the Niagara Frontier districts. Thirty-seven boats registered from Fair Haven Yacht Club, Rochester Canoe Club, Canadaigua Seneca, Niagara Sailing club and Ithaca. The article describes the races and results from the Niagara Frontier regatta.

The annual "Three Cheers" Regatta at the Milford Yacht club saw Bordes ultimately achieve first place among the competing Thistles in what ended racing as the Milford's Pete Bordes' three-boat straight weekend series. The article describes three races over the weekend with tactical details and placement results.

An editor's column reflecting on the lack of editorial contributions and inviting readers to share their views about the class. The editor discusses the positive evolution of Thistles including the introduction of aluminum masts and modern design, noting the importance of the class philosophy and seeking reader input.

Just before the Nationals, TCA President Evans Harrell welcomed Fleet 95, the Foxhole Thistle Fleet, into the Thistle field. Harrell expressed pleasure and encouraged growth and future participation, noting the fleet's nice growth and activity.