October/November 2005

Advertisements and marketplace listings including North Sails offerings with end-of-season savings, JIBMASTER II jib sheet cleats, Quantum San Diego sail company, 2006 Thistle National Championship announcement at North Cape Yacht Club, Thistle Midwinters West regatta in San Diego, Wanenmacher Insurance offering one-design insurance policies, and Great Midwest Yacht Company advertising boat repair and restoration services.

Tribute to Bill Larsen, one of the founders and promoters of the Thistle class west of Indiana. Larsen was instrumental in building the fleet through his sales and restoration work, owned multiple boats over his lifetime, and had a significant impact on the Lischer family's involvement in Thistle sailing.

An account of racing single-handed on Lake Hopatcong when crew didn't show up. The author attempted to sail alone in 3-5 knot breeze but faced challenging conditions including wind shifts and increased wind that ultimately led to finishing back in the pack despite a promising start.

Account of the Champion of Champions regatta in Detroit where Ingham's team competed in Flying Scot boats instead of Thistles. The team had to sail 20 races in different borrowed boats, ultimately winning the event after Cordaro took too many chances and received OCS penalties.

Michael Siau and Sam Ingham won the U.S. Youth Multihull Championship in Panama City, Florida just before Hurricane Katrina arrived. The two sailed dominantly, winning all six races on Friday and securing the title before Sunday's races were canceled due to the approaching hurricane.

Report from the Lumberjack Regatta at Tupper Lake in upstate New York featuring 23 boats and challenging conditions. The narrative follows one crew's experience navigating wild wind shifts, a capsize, camping, and the final races. Bill Wilson took first place overall with excellent performance in three-person crew boats.

Account of a first regatta experience for a new sailor at Mid-America Districts. The crew faced multiple challenges including a port sidestay issue, a spring-loaded spinnaker halyard system, and other rigging problems, but managed to finish fourth place. The author emphasizes keeping a cool head and trying unconventional solutions when problems arise.

Report on the Severn Sailing Association/Thistle Fleet #34 annual Crab Regatta held over Labor Day weekend on the Chesapeake Bay. Conditions were shifty, and Brent Barbehenn showed his championship form by winning all but one race, with Craig Smith finishing second and Bill Harris placing third.

The Mid Atlantic Districts were held in Annapolis, Maryland on June 25 and 26 with perfect 8-12 knot southerly winds on Saturday and dying conditions on Sunday. Mike Parramore found the key to success and won with two bullets and a second place, while Charlie Krafft placed second and Rosemary Foltis finished third.

Recipes for hot and mild salsa from winners of a contest held at Berlin Yacht Club in August. Includes both a hot garden salsa recipe and a milder cilantro salsa variation.

Introduction to a multi-part rigging series featuring detailed descriptions from experienced boat owners. Inspired by an article in Sailing World about cordage in the Laser and Lightning classes, this series will showcase rigging innovations from various Thistle skippers including Bruce King, Mike Ingham, Craig Koschalk, and others.

Detailed technical description of rigging on Bruce King's championship-winning Thistle 3931. Covers custom-made bow plate and shroud plates, adjustable jib leads, vang system, centerboard uphaul, hiking straps, traveler, and innovative spinnaker halyard system with ball-controlled pop-off mechanism.

Humorous account of the 2005 Thistle Nationals at Lavallette, New Jersey. The author reflects on memories of the races from a distance, including David Dellenbaugh's perfect start, light wind conditions, and various personal moments on the racecourse, ultimately depicting the tension and competition characteristic of high-level Thistle racing.

Detailed account of the social events and atmosphere at the 60th Nationals in Lavallette. Covers the opening ceremonies with bagpipes, a 'Get Mai Tai'd and Blitzed' party with swing dancing on Monday, a Scottish band and costume contest on Wednesday, and various activities throughout the week including golf, swimming, karaoke, and gatherings at beach houses.

Complete race results for the 2005 Nationals Championship Division held at Lavallette Yacht Club showing Mike Ingham winning with 28 points from 7 races, Bruce King in second with 41 points, and David Dellenbaugh in third with 46 points.

Results for the President's Division at the 2005 Nationals showing Walter Grubb winning, Brian Kitchin in second, and Ron Smith in third place overall.

Listing of trophy winners at the 2005 Nationals including the Hard Novice Trophy, Kincaid Trophy, North Perpetual Award, Honey Abramson Award, Macluff Goblet, Peter Milnes Trophy, and Morgan Sail Co. Junior Trophy.

Listing of new members in various Thistle Class districts including Central Atlantic, Florida, Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, New Jersey, Niagra Frontier, Pacific Northwest, South Atlantic, Middle America, Michianna, Northern California, New England, Southern California, and Southeastern districts.

Report on the Sequim Regatta in Sequim Bay, Washington hosted by Tacoma Fleet 115. The event featured excellent racing conditions with short windward-leeward courses. Pat Schirmer won the regatta with consistent finishes, followed by Wayne Balsiger and Dwaine Trummert. The event included camping and a barbeque with fresh Dungeness crab.

Editorial reflection on the experience of editing the Bagpipe and how preparing photos and articles about summer events creates a time-warp effect in autumn. The editor describes how editing keeps him mentally connected to the racing season and encourages other Thistlers to contribute articles and photos.

Story of acquiring the historic Thistle 818, Dan E Boy, which won nationals in 1961 and 1963. The author credits Elmer Richards with facilitating the purchase and describes the emotional connection with the previous owners, the Walsh family, and racing the boat at 2005 Nationals with a second-place finish in the President's Division.

Photo section with reader submissions including a leeward mark rounding from the championship fleet Thursday at Nationals, a photo labeled 'Vince at the Nationals', and a Barnegat Bay sunset photograph.