August/September 2001

The annual Dixie Regatta drew 43 Thistle sailors to Atlanta Yacht Club over Memorial Day Weekend with a stone-age/Flintstone theme. The event featured strong winds, four fleets of competition, and festive costumes, culminating in an exciting Saturday night party and close Sunday racing that determined the winners.

The President discusses opportunities for increased participation in Thistle Class activities both on and off the water, including fall regattas and administrative positions at fleet, regional and national levels.

The Chief Measurer discusses sail window visibility issues in Thistle sails, referencing a collision incident at Northern California Districts and recommending consideration of larger or additional windows to improve safety.

A historical profile of Fleet 69 at Indianapolis Sailing Club, established in 1955 as one of four founding classes. The fleet has hosted major regattas including the 8-Ball and Naptown Races, and has produced several national champions.

Technical article describing a practical method for straightening bent aluminum Thistle masts, including specific techniques for determining the bend location and applying controlled force using a portable workbench as a fulcrum.

Technical article about unstitched, glue-only seams on sails, discussing modern adhesive technologies, compatibility issues with different sailcloth types, and the potential for glue-only construction to become standard in the future.

Report on the 44th NC Governor's Cup Regatta held at Kerr Lake in June, featuring nine local boats and three from Charlotte. Sean Murphy won the regatta with consistent sailing despite encountering tropical storm conditions and challenging light air.

Editor's column encouraging Thistle sailors to plan to attend the 2002 National Championship in Eugene, Oregon, held at Eugene Yacht Club on Fern Ridge Reservoir. The editor provides information about the location, weather conditions, and facility details.

Obituary for James C. Miller II, known as Big Jim, a prominent Thistle sailor and businessman who passed away on June 17, 2001. He was the 1969 National Champion and served as Chief Measurer from 1969-1972.

Announcement of the 2001 East Coast Fall Series schedule with nine regattas taking place from August through October at various venues, with Greg Fisher and North Sails as sponsors.

Letter to the editor describing how a photo of Krimmel from Midwinters West 2001 was published in Sailing World magazine, for which he received payment that he donated to Mission Bay Yacht Club in the name of the Thistle Class Association.

Continuation of the Dixie Regatta report covering the Saturday night party festivities and Sunday racing results, with Andy Lawrence ultimately winning after strong sailing.

Report on the 30th annual 8-Ball Regatta hosted by Indianapolis Sailing Club in April, with 26 boats participating in five races. Jack Finefrock won by a single point over Andy McDonald and Bruce King.

Report on the South-Central Interdistrict Regatta held in May at Lake Keystone in Tulsa, where Chris Laborde from Shreveport won three of five races with consistent boat speed.

Report on the annual Rob Roy Regatta held by Thistle Fleet 171 at a lake near Richmond, Virginia in May, with participation from North Carolina and Virginia boats. John Norton won the three-race event.

Report on the Pacific Northwest District Championship held in June at Sequim Bay with 19 boats. Joe Burcar, sailing with a new boat (3959), won the regatta with consistent finishes including three races in light shifty conditions.

Report on the Southeast Interdistrict Regatta held in April at Lake Lanier with 19 teams. Two races were completed in light and variable winds before the RC abandoned remaining races. Scott Griffin won on a tiebreaker.

Report on the Carolina District Championship held in April at Lake Keowee with 12 teams. Sjoerd-Jan VanderHorst won with consistent sailing across six races in good 10-15 knot breeze.

Report on the Pacific Coast Championships held at Richmond Yacht Club in San Francisco Bay in July with 16 skippers. Terry Lettenmaier won with consistent performance in five challenging races featuring strong and variable winds.

Comprehensive race results from the Midwinters East regatta with corrections to errors that appeared in the June/July Bagpipe, showing finishes for all competing boats across multiple races.

Classified advertisements section featuring boats for sale, miscellaneous sailing equipment including carbon fiber spinnaker poles and race log scoring software.

Humorous satirical advertisement for a tongue-in-cheek marine medical practice offering repair and restoration services for aging boats with various ailments.