May-June, 1954

Charlie Richardson of Houston won the Shreveport Dixie Regatta May 1-2, taking first place in both races held. The event featured high winds reaching 35 mph, and the third scheduled race was cancelled due to excessive wind.

The newsletter is skipping an issue (combining May and June) to save on printing costs. The money saved will be put toward building the 1954 TCA Roster, which is expected to be distributed by late June.

Shep Smith of Atlanta won the Atlantic Coast Championships at the Atlanta Yacht Club on Lake Altoona April 24-25, despite light winds. The event attracted many Thistle Association luminaries and featured 34 boats competing in challenging conditions.

The TCA Governing Board voted to increase national championship quotas from 10% to 15% of registered and dues-paid boats per district. The deadline for dues and registrations is June 1.

The Great South Bay Yacht Racing Association has chosen Thistles for the Area D NAYRU Mallory Cup eliminations. Thistles will also be used for semi-finals in the Florida district at Sarasota.

Bill Johnson won the Royal Gaboon Steeplechase for the second straight year on May 8, sailing from St. Petersburg to Sarasota. Thistles dominated the fleet, taking five of the first six places.

The 1954 Lake Erie District Championships will be held July 17-18 at the Mentor Harbor Yacht Club in Mentor, Ohio. Fleet 9 offers the best accommodations. Reservations must be received by July 10 with a check for lodging costs ($7-$10 per couple per night).

The Ithaca Yacht Club will host the Niagara Frontier District Eliminations on August 7-8. Fleet 30 will serve as host.

Jim McGregor of Fleet 25, Shreveport, has been appointed secretary of the Delta District, and Charlie Clarke of Fleet 53, Sarasota, has been appointed secretary of the Florida District. Deane Ranney of St. Petersburg will serve as Clarke's alternate.

For sale and wanted ads, including a well-equipped Thistle 35 and requests for spinmakers.

Photo features from the Atlantic Coast Championships showing action moments and a group portrait of TCA Governing Board members who attended the event.

Comprehensive listing of upcoming Thistle racing events from June through September, including major regattas, district championships, and elimination events.

The Rochester Canoe Club will host its annual invitation regatta on Irondequoit Bay June 26-27. The event features challenging conditions and the D.A. Phillips Bowl trophy. District skippers and visitors are welcome.

Sandy Douglass recommends the Gator Trailer Model 202-1 as an excellent trailer for Thistles. It features special chocks, long springs for a softer ride, and quality bearings.

An opinion piece advocating that women's preferences should not be overlooked when promoting the Thistle as a family boat. While skippers extol the boat's technical virtues, prospective buyers' families, particularly spouses, wield significant influence in purchase decisions.

Jack Fordyce of Falls Church, Virginia, has been appointed secretary of the Central Atlantic District, replacing Frank Greenman who relocated to Florida. Fordyce also serves as secretary for Fleets 17 and 34 and sits on the National Race Committee.

Fleet 35 in Huntington, L.I., has several prospects for used Thistles in affordable price ranges with minimal equipment. Sellers should contact Fleet Secretary David B. Thurston.

Detroit River Fleet No. 2 announces its 1954 racing schedule across multiple yacht clubs. Fleet champion will be determined by races held throughout the season, with North American Point scoring on the best six of the first nine races.

Two new fleets were chartered in April: Fleet 63 at Lake Masabie in Michigan and Eagle Lake Y.C. in Edwardsburg, Michigan. The charter members are listed for each fleet.

Howard Robins from the Long Island District has been appointed to chair the National Race Committee by President Ron Small, replacing Frank Greenman who has temporarily withdrawn from TCA activity.