September 1961

Ed Walsh of Wisconsin won the 1961 Thistle National Championship aboard Dan-E-Boy (818) with his wife Marge and son Mickey as crew. The family-operated boat finished ahead of defending champion Bruce Goldsmith. Walsh's victory was marked by skillful sailing across five races at Lake Michigan.

The Racine Yacht Club Governing Board approved modifications to bylaws, splitting the Lake Erie district into separate entities. New classes were authorized for numbered fleets, and aluminum masts were approved with specific specifications. Discussion of boat registration, charter modifications, and membership classifications also took place.

Thistledown, the Delta District's publication, reports on life preserver tests conducted on guard-approved types. Results are shared with interested Thistle sailors for safety considerations.

Announcements of upcoming Thistle regattas including events at Kentucky Lake and Lake Guntersville, Alabama. Contact information provided for entry and participation.

Detailed account of the 1961 National Championship races at Lake Michigan, featuring day-by-day race narratives and descriptions of the challenging sailing conditions and competitive field.

Complete race results table for all 54 competitors in the 1961 National Championship, showing placement points across five races and final standings.

George Devlin was elected president of the Thistle Class Association at the annual meeting. The meeting also approved new specifications for aluminum masts and discussed additional class development including handbook production and modifications to bylaws regarding boat weights and construction.

Harold Kiotz (1) sailing in the Lake Erie Districts placed second in the 2nd race, notably sailing without striking the mark. Bob DeRue (1210) won the Erie District Championship, narrowly defeating Jim Miller (1233) and winning the series.

Tommy Shock (1307) of Newport Harbor Yacht Club won the first Pacific Coast Championship, held at Huntington Lake, California in July. His two blue chevrons and covered trophy were awarded for taking first place in the three-race competition.

Vice President of YACHTING Magazine Bob Bavier explains Rule 42.1(e) regarding tactics around marks, clarifying when a yacht can claim right to tack under this rule and how it applies to rounding or passing a mark.

The Central Atlantic District Championships featured at Annapolis, Maryland, where over 200 small craft competed. Ed Hoyt (378) won first place, with Jack Cook (1074) and Jim Phelps (355) taking second and third places respectively.

Gill Smith (809) sailing at Folsom Lake won the 1961 Northern California District Championship with a three-race victory. The competition was held as part of the June 24-25 event and featured a four-race series.

The South Atlantic District Championship was won by Howard Mead (589) with his boat MEDIOKRA, based on Saturday's three 5-leg Gold Cup course results. Final race details were affected by material availability issues.

Ed Walsh (818) and his crew won the 1961 New Jersey District Championship at Staten Island's Richmond County Yacht Club. Walsh's consistent sailing and strategic race tactics secured the title ahead of Kaighn Smith (1241).

Lake Springfield, Illinois hosted the Lake Michigan District Championship July 1-2. Bruce Goldsmith (632) won first place, followed by Blase Lisier (1149) in second, with Bob Kaiser (1149) taking third.

The South Boston Yacht Club's 94th annual Independence Day Regatta featured challenging 40-knot wind gusts that tested skippers. Notable competition included family crews and several place winners navigating the difficult sailing conditions.

Frank Russell (769) sailing BLACK BART won the Great Lakes Thistle Championship in a 7-point victory. The event featured a 3-mile equilateral triangle course on Pierre Isle Bay, with 45 Thistles competing over two days.

The new Thistle Class charter was presented by Bruce Goldsmith in St. Louis at the Valley Sailing Association's inaugural Thistle regatta June 24-25. The event attracted 67 boats with 13 Thistles participating, and featured competition for both hardware and trophies.

Results from the 1961 Michigan Districts Crescent Yacht Club regatta held July 1-2 at Detroit. Les Sutton (510) won first place, followed by comprehensive race results for all participating boats.

Jerry Milgram (1361) sailing YOGI BEAR won three first-place finishes to win the New England District Championships July 8-9 at Wessagusett Yacht Club in Hingham Bay, Massachusetts.

At the Chesapeake, Ed Hoyt (378) won the annual classic July 4 Regatta in a hotly contested match with Ben Weil (1417) and the TCA 1st Vice President. Hoyt defeated his rivals in 1969 and 1960, winning this year's event by strategic sailing.

Heather Bay and Governor's Cup regattas held in New Jersey featured various fleet participants racing on the Delaware River. Multiple Thistle competitors participated across several races with detailed placement results.

A call for submissions of cruising stories with photographs to The Bagpipe publication, seeking reader-contributed content about Thistle sailing experiences and cruising adventures.

New Thistle skipper Billie Willig (875) won the Delta District Trophy at Eagle Mountain Lake, Texas. Willig switched positions with Gene George and had good results. Championship elected district secretary Eugene English for the Sabnoe Sailing Club.

Al Williams (631) won the July 3-9 Open Regatta at Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club. Thistle fleet 36 hosted 36 boats, with Williams taking first place and his crew securing victory despite challenging competition.

The Annual Michigan Regatta was held at Diamond Lake, Cassopolis, Michigan July 8-9, 1961. Sponsored by Diamond Lake Yacht Club and Lake Yacht Club with comprehensive race results from many participants.

Chuck Wiley (GRAN FIERO, 1260) won the Anne Kathleen Cullen memorial trophy at Larchmont's 1961 Race Week, which closed July 22. Wiley's record consisted of 4 consecutive firsts and one third placement.

Fleet 96, newly formed in 1960 at the IVY Club on Peoria Lake, Illinois, established its first annual Cleve Slauson Memorial Regatta. Bob Kaiser won first place in the Thistle division.

Classified advertisements including boat sales, Thistle-related products, insurance offerings, and various sailing equipment for sale by members of the Thistle Class Association.