August - September 2004

Blair Dryden, newly elected president of the Thistle Class, shares his personal history with the class, recounting his childhood introduction to Thistle sailing in Indiana and his family's journey in the sport. He outlines his vision for 2005, highlighting two major regattas: the 50th anniversary of the Midwinters East and the 60th anniversary of the Nationals, both requiring significant preparation to attract a large fleet.

Craig Smith, Third Vice President for Growth and Promotion, outlines his philosophy for growing the Thistle class through fleet-level activities. He emphasizes that better skippers should serve as ambassadors by mentoring new sailors and crews, even at the cost of their own competitive performance, and introduces the "Thistle Crew U" program as a successful model for developing new talent.

An editors' note explains that the 2005-2008 Racing Rules of Sailing went into effect January 1, 2005. The article provides a comprehensive overview of significant rule changes from the 2001-2004 edition, covering adjustments to meeting boats, contact penalties, course changes, mark rounding, penalties, protests, scoring, and equipment requirements. Notable changes include new clarifications for boat interactions, two-turn penalties replacing 720-degree turns, and mandatory availability of notice of race and sailing instructions.

Jim Kincaid examines the trapezoid course format used at regattas to reduce boat interaction between divisions. He presents the mechanics of the course, where two divisions sail separate inner and outer loops simultaneously, and details both advantages (reduced conflicts, broader angles, easier finishes) and disadvantages (different courses per division, more equipment management). Kincaid advocates for testing the course at future regattas, particularly at the 50th Midwinters East, before potentially adopting it for the Nationals.

Mike Rees provides a detailed account of the Yale Lake Regatta on July 17-18, 2004, held in Portland, Oregon near Mount St. Helens. Terry Lettenmaier and Frank Flannery dominated the fleet of 20 Thistles, with Lettenmaier taking first and Flannery second, while Dan Winchester secured third. The report includes descriptions of the challenging local wind patterns, competitive starts, and social activities, culminating in the regatta in the scenic canyon setting.

A social event schedule for the 2005 Thistle Midwinters East regatta held February 27 - March 4 at St. Petersburg Yacht Club, including a 50th anniversary race, competitors' meetings, clan parties, grill outs, and awards banquet.

Entry form for the 2005 Thistle Midwinters East Regatta held February 26 - March 4, 2005 at St. Petersburg Yacht Club. Includes sections for skipper and crew information, US Sailing membership, competitor classification categories, entry fee ($160 for US Sailing members), and options for pre-sale 50th anniversary collared shirts.

A special one-race event held Sunday, February 27, 2005 as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Midwinters East. Skippers can choose from multiple trophy categories including age-based divisions (under 20, over 50, 60, 70) and an all-family crew category. There is no entry fee, and sailing instructions are available at registration.

The official Notice of Race for the 2005 Thistle Midwinters East at St. Petersburg Yacht Club, February 26 - March 4, 2005. Details eligibility, registration procedures, measurement schedule, daily racing and coaching schedules, course types (Olympic Triangles and Windward-Leewards), scoring (low-point system), haul-out restrictions, and prize categories for A and B fleets.

A historical list of Midwinters East winners from 1948 through 2004, documenting the first through fifth place finishers for each year. The list includes notes that regattas were held in Miami on Biscayne Bay from 1948-1953, in Sarasota in 1954-1955, and in St. Petersburg on Tampa Bay from 1956-2004.

A report on the 2004 New Jersey District Championships held June 12-13 at Lake Nockamixon, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. With 19 Thistles competing from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Lloyd Kitchen of Lake Hopatcong won overall with four first-place finishes, followed by Brent Barbehenn in second and Lincoln Baxter in third. The regatta featured light winds on Saturday and stronger winds on Sunday, along with festive on-shore gatherings including a bonfire and elegant tile trophies.

Tom Hubbell describes Coach-TCA, a seven-day racing school held concurrently with the 50th Midwinters East (February 26 - March 4, 2005) that offers on-the-water and ashore coaching for intermediate sailors. The program includes race analysis, individual coaching, daily pre-race weather talks, post-race discussions, and myth debunking, with expert instructors and flexible scheduling. Registration is $25 per boat and space is limited.

John Baker won the Oyster Roast Regatta (October 9-10) at Severn Sailing Association for the third time in four years, prevailing over a tough fleet of 30 Thistles. Lloyd Kitchin finished second and Don Stehle third. The regatta featured excellent fall conditions with 8-12 knots on Saturday and 15 knots on Sunday, traditional oyster and beer after racing, and drama in the fifth race when Baker fell out of his boat but was rescued and returned to finish fourth, securing the overall victory.

Official postal statement for The Bagpipe newsletter filed in February 2005. Documents the publication as bi-monthly with headquarters in Chapin, SC, owned by the Thistle Class Association. Reports average circulation of 1,470 copies per issue, with 1,402 paid/requested subscriptions and 68 in free distribution.

Sam Secrest describes the Gregor McGregor Regatta (July 17-18, 2004) held at Cumberland Sound in Florida, where strong tidal currents and shifting winds provided unique challenges. Scott Griffin won overall, followed by Michael Linkeit in second and Paul Abdullah in third. The regatta featured spectacular scenery including Amelia and Cumberland Islands, wildlife sightings (osprey, roseate spoonbill, and a friendly manatee), and festive evening entertainment with steak and shrimp dinner and live music.

Two memorial notices for members of the Thistle sailing community. George Devlin (Thistle Fleet 2) was a founding member and early promoter of the class known for his boat repair expertise and hospitality. George Silk was a longtime Cedar Point Yacht Club member (since late 1950s) who skippered Thistles and later Atlantic boats, and was renowned for his documentary film "The Many Moods of a Thistle" that pioneered innovative masthead camera work.

A report on the Carolina's District Regatta describing the "races viewed from the back of the fleet." The fleet experienced 75-degree weather with shifty winds. Andy Lawrence won overall with consistent top finishes, John Norton finished second, and Mark Gise third. The regatta included casual social elements like chip and salsa at the keg, and trophy awards featuring hand-embroidered canvas bags with thistle designs and framed watercolors by artist George Polk.

A report on the 2004 Damfull Regatta held May 15-16 at Leatherlips Yacht Club in Columbus, Ohio. Jack Finefrock won overall for the second regatta in a row, followed by Kit Holzaepfel, Tim Boucher, Steve Lavender, and Clark Wade in the trophy positions. The event featured excellent spring conditions with good wind on Saturday and lighter conditions on Sunday. Kevin Tschantz won the junior division, continuing the Lake Erie Spring Series' impressive string of windy events.

Doug Stumberger reports on the 2004 Pacific Northwest Thistle District Championships held June 19-20 at Corinthian Yacht Club Seattle. Jack, Ann, and Peter Christiansen won overall with sail #3770, with Joe Burcar second, Frank Flannery third, and Dane Winchester fourth. The regatta featured nineteen boats from Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, and Eugene fleets, challenging conditions on flood tide Saturday with four races completed, and no racing Sunday due to lack of wind.

A report on the 46th Admiral Farragut Regatta held May 10-11 at Concord Yacht Club on Ft. Loudon Lake near Farragut, Tennessee. Vlasta Kunc won the first race in light 7 mph wind, Loy Vaughn of BSC won race two with excellent wind-shift tactics, and Brad Russell won race three. The regatta was cut short on Sunday when conditions became completely calm, resulting in no racing and an early departure for the fleet.

Michael Lenkeit reports on the 42nd annual Old Goat Regatta held September 11-12 at Lake Lanier Sailing Club, with 34 boats participating. Greg Griffin and Mark Reddaway dominated Saturday's three races with commanding leads, then won again on Sunday with strong finishes to claim the overall title for the fourth consecutive year. Paul Abdullah finished second overall, Michael Lenkeit moved to third, and Scott Griffin and David Reddaway rounded out the top five.

Classified advertising section featuring carbon fiber spinnaker poles and DIY carbon fiber spin pole kits for Thistle boats. Also includes promotional information for the 2005 Orange Peel Regatta (March 18-20) at Florida Yacht Club in Jacksonville, and the 2005 Thistle Nationals (July 30 - August 5) at Lavallette Yacht Club.