June-July 2003

The 2003 Midwinters East Championship regatta in St. Petersburg, Florida drew 60 boats for a week of excellent racing, coaching, and camaraderie. The event featured Coach TCA classes taught by Tom Hubbell and North Sails experts, along with beautiful weather and ideal sailing conditions.

President Finefrock reflects on the strength of the Thistle Class, sharing stories of grassroots efforts by class members including shared accommodations at nationals, community service, and the notable choice of Chris Klotz to forgo the Pan Am games to attend TCA Nationals instead.

The 46th Admiral Farragut Regatta was held May 10-11 on Fort Loudon Lake near Knoxville, Tennessee with fourteen boats competing in challenging conditions. Vlasta Kunc of CYC won the regatta with 12 points, and the event was marked by an emotional celebration of Peter McCully's life.

Minutes from the March 2, 2003 Governing Board Meeting held at St. Petersburg YC, covering officer reports on measurements, websites, national regatta site selection, class insurance, and office administration.

An article exploring weight management on Thistle boats, discussing hardware upgrades, carbon blocks for weight reduction, and the benefits of non-water-absorbing line to reduce boat weight by up to 40 pounds in wet conditions.

The editor discusses the Midwinters East experience, the legacy of Pete Flood's photography, the online publication of the Bagpipe in PDF format, and preparation for fall sailing with above-average water levels.

An interview with 2003 Midwinters East champions Paul Abdullah and second-place finisher Bill Draheim, discussing their strategies, challenges, preparation, and insights on sailing fast at the championship.

Detailed race-by-race coverage of the eight races sailed at Midwinters East 2003, documenting weather conditions, notable performances, and the unfolding competition between top finishers Paul Abdullah, Bill Draheim, Andy McDonald, and others.

Recognition of Bob Johnson, the 2003 recipient of the Ted Tolson Trophy for outstanding service on the Midwinters East Race Committee, who has served for over eight years with enthusiasm and dedication.

The 2003 Darlene Clark Award is presented to Ben Larsen for his spirited and joyful presence at Midwinters East, embodying the fun and camaraderie that Darlene represented in the Thistle Class.

A detailed account of the social events and parties during Midwinters East 2003, including themed events, beach park farewell party, and the various off-water activities that created lasting friendships and memories.

Complete race results table showing final standings for the 2003 Midwinters East Championship with 61 boats competing in 8 races, listing all boats, skippers, crew, fleet designation, and total points scored.

Extensive classified listings of Thistle sailboats for sale, ranging from vintage wooden hulls to modern fiberglass models, with prices, hull conditions, and contact information for buyers and sellers across North America.