August/September 2018

Dave Hudson reflects on the importance of maintaining existing regatta venues and cultivating new ones. He highlights recent successful regattas at Seneca Yacht Club, Plattsburgh, and Oswego Yacht Club, and discusses bids from Sandpoint, Idaho for 2019 Nationals and Cleveland Yachting Club for the 75th Anniversary Nationals in 2020.

Joy Martin announces venue developments for future Nationals, including a bid from Sandpoint, Idaho for 2019 and Cleveland Yachting Club for the 75th Anniversary Nationals in 2020. She emphasizes the class's gratitude for reliable venues and the need to identify new ones.

John Howell announces a matching challenge gift from an anonymous donor offering up to $15,000 in matching funds through December 31, 2018. He encourages class members to contribute and describes how donations support class growth initiatives and young sailors.

The May 12, 2018 Wet Your Thistle Regatta at Hoover Sailing Club featured 13 boats racing 7 races in good breeze that varied throughout the day. Tom Hubbell's team won with Betsy and John Yingling, followed by Jesse and Nicole Shedden with Kyle Finefrock, and Steve Lavender's team in third.

The Derby Dixie Regatta at Atlanta Yacht Club over Memorial Day weekend 2018 drew 48 Thistles from seven states for a high-spirited, Derby-themed event. Steve Burke and his twin brother Shawn, sailing for their first time in years, won the regatta with a 4-point total, with Greg Griffin taking second and Mark Gise third.

The Berlin Invitational Regatta, June 16-17, 2018 at Berlin Yacht Club, was called the Father's Day Regatta as it lands on Father's Day weekend every year. Jesse Shedden won with Jack Finefrock second and Eddie Duckworth third, with five of ten boats being family teams.

Fleet #155 in Research Triangle Park hosted the 2018 Bottoms Up/Carolinas Districts on Jordan Lake, April 28-29, with 21 Thistles from five districts. Brad Russell from Lake Norman won the regatta with a 6-point victory over Greg Griffin. Seven teams had at least two family members sailing together.

Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport, Connecticut hosted the combined Long Island Sound and New Jersey Districts June 1-3, 2018, with 34 Thistles alongside Atlantics, J/70s, and J/30s. Despite a summer squall, the event was professional and well-received by competitors.

The Niagara Frontier District Championship at Oswego Yacht Club, June 9-10, 2018, featured eight races in challenging conditions. Dan Hesse won with a single-point victory, with Dave Hansen second and Doug Kaukeinen third. The event was praised for its professional race management and hospitality.

The 2018 Lake Erie District Championship at Cleveland Yachting Club, June 23-24, featured 22 boats racing in stormy conditions. Ben France won with a 1-3 performance on Sunday, edging out George Pearsall by 2 points. The event served as a feel-out for a potential 2020 Nationals bid.

Severn Sailing Association and Thistle Fleet #34 hosted the Central Atlantic Districts in Annapolis, June 23-24, 2018. Jesse Gaylord won after a strong comeback performance, with Charles Krafft second and Brent Barbehenn third. The event was designated as a Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta.

Charleston Yacht Club hosted the 2018 TCA Southeast Championship June 23-24 with professional race management and coaching opportunities. Paul Abdullah won the regatta, with Matt Fisher second and Greg Griffin third. The event featured excellent facilities and sponsor support.

A report on Governing Board decisions made at meetings in March and May 2018, including amendments to bylaws regarding professional sailors, expanded dates for Nationals (May 1-August 31), and modified race course requirements. The report emphasizes the participatory process used and transparency.

Various classified advertisements and product listings including JibMaster cleats, Rooke Sails Thistle covers with various color and configuration options, and information about membership dues and the Growth and Promotion Fund matching campaign.

A technical article on boat restoration techniques using the Veritas Cornering Tool set to round over rails and grates on Thistle boats. The author compares this molding plane method to router and sanding approaches used in previous restorations.