August/September 2010

President Gillum reflects on the importance of sharing knowledge about maintaining and restoring Thistle boats within the class community. He highlights recent efforts to create instructional videos and credits dedicated craftspeople like Larry Liggett and Doug Laber for their contributions to preserving the class.

Poltorak emphasizes the need for the Thistle Class to recruit new sailors and retain crew members to maintain the class's vitality. He highlights the New York Times article featuring Thistle sailing and online resources like crew-finder services, encouraging experienced skippers to mentor developing sailors.

Various classified ads and product announcements including Thistle boat covers (bottom, top, rudder, gasket covers), jibsheet cleats (Jibmaster systems), boat insurance, Thistle covers from Rooke Sails, custom apparel from Coral Reef Sailing, and sailing supplies from APS Ltd.

Pollak addresses measurement inquiries covering R dimensions (hull rocker specifications), mandatory Coast Guard safety equipment requirements, revised class plans for hull construction and sail plan, and specific technical details about bow knuckles, half-oval moldings, and mainsail foot specifications.

The Central Atlantic District Championships at Severn Sailing Association drew 17 boats to Annapolis where competitors encountered varied summer weather including strong winds, thunderstorms, and variable conditions. Charlie Kraft and Joe McCorkell showed strong performance, with a Dark and Stormy celebration and Surf and Turf dinner highlighted the social event.

Crescent Sail Yacht Club and Thistle Fleet #2 hosted the Michiana Districts on Lake Saint Clair in Michigan with exciting windy conditions ranging from 15-25 knots on Saturday and lighter westerly breezes on Sunday. The fleet finished with a Blessing of the Fleet featuring a bagpiper.

Fleet 48 hosted the Bell-Bottom Dixie Regatta with a Woodstock-themed party over Memorial Day Weekend. Fifty-six boats from ten states competed with Greg Griffin winning overall. The regatta featured extensive theming with creative costumes, peace decorations, and a Potted Thistle award for the best party participant.

Complete results table from the Bell-Bottom Dixie Regatta featuring 54 entries across three race rounds (1A/1B, 2A/2B, 3A/3B), with Greg Griffin and Mark Reddaway winning overall.

The newly renamed Jack Bauer Memorial Lake Erie Districts (merging East and West) at Berlin Yacht Club saw exceptional youth participation with 50% of the 37 entries skippered by sailors under 30. Tom Hubble won with consistent finishes, honoring Jack Bauer's legacy of promoting youth sailing.

Complete results table from the Jack Bauer Memorial Lake Erie Districts with Tom Hubble winning the championship with 20 total points and multiple youth entries marked with asterisks.

Hosted by Fleet 21 at Leatherlips Yacht Club on May 15-16, the Damful Regatta featured 14 boats in beautiful spring weather. Kit Holzaepfel won overall with consistent performance, while an excellent barbeque dinner and live jazz band kept the party lively into the evening.

Dave Bloomberg won the 2010 Southern California Thistle Districts with crew Ev Meade and Sam Ingham at Mission Bay Yacht Club. Eight boats from Arizona, LA, and San Diego competed in ocean conditions with seaweed challenges. Bloomberg was notably sailing with Sam Ingham, son of Mike Ingham and a Coast Guard Academy student.

2010 Southeast Thistle Interdistricts held at Fleet 79 and Lake Lanier Sailing Club on May 15-16 with Greg Griffin and Mark Reddaway winning first place.

Fleet 65's Great Pond Wii Olympics featured eight windward-leeward races with a festive party atmosphere. Steve Lavender won the regatta, with entertaining Wii Olympics competitions where Clara and Cindy Getschow won gold for Team Norway.

The Rochester SeneCanoe Regatta featured 16 Thistles with tight racing among the top finishers after five races. The event was notable for new facilities including a recently built launching dock and dredged hoist area, as well as festive entertainment including movie night, free haircuts, and a homemade slip-and-slide.

Nyack Boat Club hosted the Atlantic Coast Championship on June 26-27 in oppressive heat with light wind. David Dellenbaugh dominated the racing with two bullets on Saturday. Sunday was nearly windless and the RC was unable to complete racing, but Dellenbaugh's consistent performance secured the title.

Complete results from the Atlantic Coast Championship held at Nyack Boat Club with David Dellenbaugh winning with 2 points from two races, followed by Brad Thompson and Mark Foster.

Compilation of regatta results from multiple districts including Michiana, Damful, SoCal, and Lake Erie championships with comprehensive scoring tables.

Comprehensive regatta calendar for August through November 2010 with dates, locations, contact information, and 2009 winners for Thistle Class events across all regions.