December/January 2000-2001

President Hudson reflects on the 2000 sailing season, welcomes new class officers including Greg Griffin as first vice president and Ron Smith as chief measurer, and thanks the outgoing leadership. He emphasizes the major challenge of transitioning the secretary-treasurer position to Carol and Trudy Hudson after Honey Abramson's 40-year tenure.

New Chief Measurer Ron Smith outlines his approach to enforcing Class specifications. He emphasizes the importance of builders maintaining compliance to minimize burden on boat owners, and encourages owners to report any questionable measurements to help track builder compliance.

Tom Hubbell advocates for implementing VHF radios in Thistle racing to improve OCS (Over-Caught-Start) notification and fairness. He argues that radios would allow real-time OCS notification, reduce guessing, and provide safety benefits like weather warnings and emergency communication.

A profile of Thistle Fleet 172 in Memphis, which was chartered in 1955 when John Martin's boat arrived. The fleet operates out of Lake Arkabutla, a Corps of Engineers reservoir known as the windiest in the lower Mississippi Valley. The fleet hosts the annual "Cotton Pickin' Regatta" and has produced world-class sailors including Bruce Goldsmith, Larry Klein, and Greg Fisher.

An extensive Q&A with the top ten finishers from the 2000 Nationals at Sayville, covering their approach to sail selection, crew training, tuning for heavy air and chop, upwind strategy, downwind speed, and tactical insights. The discussion reveals how top competitors adapted to the challenging moderate-to-heavy air conditions.

Keith Graham describes Fleet 61 Seattle's successful growth promotion strategies that grew participation from 21 to 34 registered boats in 2000. He details initiatives including surveys of inactive members, marketing to new participants, mentoring programs, crew pools, and infrastructure improvements that addressed barriers to fleet participation.

The inaugural Bagpipe Photo Contest was very successful with many entries showcasing the creativity and talent of the Class. The cover photo of Mary Grace O'Connor with Thistle #2423 by John O'Connor won first place, taken with a disposable camera near Beaufort, NC.

Patty Lawrence thanks Scott Griffin and other Thistle owners for their generosity in organizing and supporting the Area D Sears Cup semi-finals in Hilton Head. Despite a conflicting commitment (new baby), Scott ensured five competitive Thistles were available and took on coaching duties.

Obituary of Harold Klotz, who passed away on October 1, 2000. Harold purchased Thistle #1 Paukie from Sandy Douglas in 1957 and kept it at Cowen Lake, Ohio, where he instilled a love of sailing in his two sons, Steve and Chris, who continue the Thistle tradition.

Dave Rosekrans (2852), a Cincinnati Fleet 65 member who has sailed Thistles for over 40 years, became the first Thistler to lead US Sailing as president. Rosekrans outlined his priorities including putting the organization on sound financial footing, improving communications, and bringing together the sailing community.

Fleet 183 in Fernandina, Florida hosted its inaugural Gregor MacGregor Regatta on June 24-25 on the beautiful but tricky Cumberland Sound. Scott Griffin won the series, with brother Greg Griffin second and Loy Vaughan third. The event featured a Friday night reception and Saturday evening party at Tiger Point Marina.

Twenty-five Thistles from the Pacific Northwest attended the Sequim Bay Regatta on August 19-20. Terry Lettenmaier and wife Laurie Weitkamp won the eight-race series sailing double-handed, with the Winchesters in second and Gerry Gilbert in third. Several double-handed crews had an edge in the light air and flat water conditions.

Wisconsin Fleet #178 and the Monona Sailing Club hosted the 2000 Lake Michigan District Championships on July 15-16 on beautiful Lake Monona in Madison. Jack Finefrock won convincingly, with Steve Lavender second and Kevin Arrow third. The competition was tight with no "horizon jobs" and all top four finishers sporting family members as crew.

Chris Gedrose won the 47th running of the High Sierra Regatta at 7000-foot Huntington Lake, CA on July 15-16. This was Gedrose's second victory at the event. The competition was close with a match-race situation between Gedrose and Dean Iwahashi in the third race.

Thirty-four sailors competed in the Atlantic Coast Championships on July 15 at Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport, CT. Mike Ingham won the championship with 16 points, followed by Brad Thompson with 16 (tiebreaker), and Dave Rosow in third. The fleet faced challenging weather with 15-20 knot winds and 3-4 foot waves, and light air on Sunday.

Eleven Thistles competed in the Northern California Districts on June 24-25 at 7200-foot elevation Huntington Lake, held jointly with Hobie Fleet 62's Commodore's Regatta. Ron Smith won the series sailing cleanly and consistently, with Dean Iwahashi in second and Mike Gillum in third. Only four races were completed due to thunderstorm threat.

Pymatuning Yacht Club hosted its annual Independence Day Regatta on July 1-2 on Pymatuning Reservoir on the Ohio/Pennsylvania border. Jack Bauer won the regatta with a dominant performance, followed by Steve White in second and Jack Finefrock in third. The event featured a Friday night welcome party and a Saturday night celebration with music and dancing.

Miscellaneous listings and classified advertisements including carbon fiber spinnaker poles and other equipment available from Class members.