April-May 2003

The XXXII Midwinter's West Regatta was held in San Diego with 29 boats competing in excellent sailing conditions. Mike Ingham won the Championship Division in a close battle with Skip Dieball, while Terry Lettenmaier dominated the President's Division.

President Finefrock discusses the camaraderie of the Thistle class, emphasizes the importance of supporting local fleets and attending regattas, and reminds members to consult the Chief Measurer on technical questions rather than relying on list-serve discussions. He also clarifies that digital compasses are not legal in Thistles.

The Lumberjack Regatta at Tupper Lake, NY featured seventeen boats competing in five races with excellent 12-17 knot winds. John Baker won the regatta in a closely contested battle with Tom Hubbell and Dave Hudson.

Obituary of David B. Valla, who passed away suddenly on January 8, 2003, at age 49. Valla was a dedicated Thistle sailor who served as president of the class in 1995, an accomplished businessman, pilot, musician, and family man who deeply contributed to the Thistle community.

Registration form and fee schedule for the 2003 Thistle Nationals at Fort Walton Yacht Club, August 2-8. Form includes options for special awards, merchandise, and meal packages.

Official Notice of Race for the 2003 Thistle National Championships at Fort Walton Yacht Club, August 2-8. Details rules, eligibility, entry procedures, measurement requirements, race schedule, courses, and scoring.

A proposed amendment to allow VHF radios for safety communication, weather retrieval, and race committee messages during Thistle racing. The amendment includes rationale for the proposal and addresses potential concerns.

Comprehensive schedule of Thistle regattas for 2003 and early 2004, organized by month with event dates, locations, contact information, and 2002 champions listed for comparison.

An appeal from the Thistle Class Secretary to locate over 1000 lost or uncertain Thistle boats to help grow the class. The article includes an extensive list of over 1700 lost and uncertain Thistle hull numbers.

The editor discusses strategies for balancing regatta participation with family and life obligations. He offers practical advice for getting to more regattas, including double-decking boats, recruiting crew locally, and including family members to increase success rates.

Report on the Larry Klein Memorial match racing regatta at Mission Bay Yacht Club. Skip Dieball's team won the championship, highlighting the excitement of match racing and the importance of boat handling in tight conditions.

Complete race results tables for both Championship and Presidents divisions of the Midwinters West 2003 regatta showing individual boat standings across all six races.

Collection of classified ads and business advertisements including Thistle boat trailers, sail covers, boat insurance, and boat sales listings with contact information.