October/November 2001

Outgoing president John Hudson reflects on his four-year term through the TCA ranks, including turning out 12 Bagpipe issues, managing the class office move to Niskayuna, and overseeing the 2001 Nationals at Holland, MI. He thanks numerous class members for their support and contributions.

Ron Smith reviews recent rules changes and class governance decisions including fiberglass centerboard weight tolerance adjustments, mast step height tolerance guidelines, and the formation of a flotation study committee. He also discusses construction guidelines for wood hulls that were defeated.

A lively account of the social activities surrounding the 2001 Nationals at Macatawa Bay Yacht Club in Holland, Michigan. The report covers welcoming parties with ice cream socials, karaoke, water activities, evening entertainment at Cruisers game center, and the significant youth participation that characterized the regatta.

Detailed race report from the 2001 Nationals Championship Division featuring inconsistent winds dominated by light air and major shifts. Bruce King, Mark Makielski and Erin Gaskill won the championship, with Mike Ingham/Blair Dryden placing second and Chris Murphy/Jessica Kitchin/Scott Lennox in third.

Report on the President's Division at the 2001 Nationals, a separate fleet for boats that didn't make the championship cut. Steve Lavender, Rachel Lavender and Joyce Golden won the division. The report includes race conditions and a personal account of Luke Reasoner's growth as a skipper during the week.

Minutes from the Governing Board meeting held August 6, 2001 at Macatawa Bay Yacht Club during the Nationals. Key decisions include approval of CMR 71 (mast step tolerance), approval of whistles being mandatory, and approval of co-skippering at Midwinters East for one more year.

Minutes from the TCA Annual Meeting held August 8, 2001 at Macatawa Bay, covering officer reports, financial status (1675 dues-paid members, $51,811 in savings), approval of CMR amendments, and election of new officers for 2001-2002 with Greg Griffin as incoming president.

Outgoing Bagpipe editor Terry Lettenmaier bids farewell after two years leading the publication, passing the role to Blair Dryden. He acknowledges the historical archives passed down through editors and thanks the Seattle-based production team and numerous class members who contributed articles and photographs.

Recognition of TCA members who made generous donations and gifts to the class beyond their regular dues, listed by contribution level: Sustaining members ($100+), Contributing members ($50-$99), memorial gifts in memory of Neil Patzer, and a Thank You category for smaller gifts.

Report on the 2001 Women's Nationals held at Macatawa Bay, with five boats competing on Lake Michigan in light 5-7 knot breeze. Dorothy Ballard won, with Nicole Finefrock second and Allison Ehri/Deb Probst tied for third. The piece notes declining participation and expresses hope for improved numbers at Eugene.

Results table from the 2001 Junior Nationals with Lee Sackett winning the championship. Matthew Glover placed second and Rachel Beard third, among 14 junior-skippering boats that competed at Macatawa Bay.

Feature article describing how the Kansas City Thistle Fleet addressed their crew shortage by recruiting and developing college sailors from the nearby university sailing club. The fleet now supports an intercollegiate program and has become a crew factory for major regattas.

Report on the 2001 East Coast Fall Series regatta at Saratoga Lake, which started slowly due to calm conditions and only got underway Saturday evening. Eric Gesner won the regatta, with races using gate starts. The fleet voted to continue the gate start tradition.

Report on the July 14-15 Atlantic Coast Championships held with a 41-boat fleet including National Champion Bruce King and past champions. Brent Barbehenn won the regatta on his home waters, edging King by a single point. Eric Gesner placed third and Jack Finefrock fourth.

Classified advertisements section featuring three Thistle boats for sale (boats 2190, 3389, and 3455) and miscellaneous sailing equipment including carbon fiber spinnaker poles.