April/May 1988

Fisher Sails set a blistering pace in the 1988 Thistle Midwinters East, placing first and third. The company's sail designs have proven successful in recent Thistle championships, and they invite sailors to join the Fisher team with promises of performance tuning guidance.

President Robinson reports increased participation at Midwinters events and discusses plans for marketing the Thistle Class. The association is working on a survey to identify the target market and is implementing changes to improve communication among members.

Finefrock reports on growth and promotion efforts for the Thistle Class, including increased attendance at midwinter events, crew networking, and survey results about why people race Thistles. He highlights training opportunities and the importance of promoting the class.

A comprehensive survey asking Thistle Class members about their demographics, sailing habits, and motivations for participating in the class. The survey covers regions, occupations, age groups, boat ownership, experience levels, and suggestions for class growth.

Complete information about the 43rd Thistle Class National Championship held at Flathead Lake in Montana. Includes history of the yacht club, detailed directions by highway, rail and air, accommodation options in nearby towns, schedule of events, registration information, safety equipment requirements, sailing conditions, clothing recommendations, race officials, and pre-registration interest card.

Two couples share their experience hosting annual Thistle regattas. They discuss the history of their regatta, challenges of organizing sailing events, the importance of good times before and after racing, trophy selection, and tips for successful event management including food, logistics, and community support.

A comprehensive list of new Thistle Class members organized by region, including their sail numbers and hometowns. Also announces upcoming regional championships and sailing events.

Nagel provides a narrative account of the 1988 Midwinters West regatta in San Diego, describing the experience of sailing in challenging conditions and the chaos of the week, while expressing appreciation for the organizers and participants who made it a successful and memorable vacation.

Complete race results from the 1988 Midwinters West championship showing standings for both championship and presidents divisions with point scores across seven races.

Announcement that Midwinters West has been officially designated a silver chevron event by the Thistle Class. Class President Carol Robinson presented the news at the regatta, noting that this equal status with Nationals demonstrates the event's importance to the class.

A memorial notice for Carla Jean Beckham, a member of the Thistle Class who passed away in 1987.

A collection of expert tips from experienced Thistle sailors covering fundamental race tactics, sail trim, boat handling, and race strategy. Topics include mark rounding, wind management, boat positioning, and decision-making during races.

Bauer reflects on the challenges of maintaining competitive sailing performance while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities. He discusses how professional sailors stay sharp and advocates for accumulating sailing knowledge from multiple sources.

A photo contest featuring three photographs from Thistle events. Readers are invited to identify the locations of the photos to win a prize.

A comprehensive calendar of Thistle Class racing events scheduled throughout 1988, organized by month from April through November, listing district championships, local regattas, and regional events with contact information.

A comprehensive collection of classified listings featuring Thistle boats for sale, used parts, services, and sailing-related equipment. Listings include detailed descriptions of boat conditions, prices, and contact information for buyers and sellers throughout the Thistle community.

A humorous letter with sailing-related commentary and lighthearted complaints about racing experiences, presented in a conversational format between crew members.

Race report from the 20th annual Glimmerglass Regatta held on Otsego Lake near Cooperstown, New York in September. The regatta featured early morning winds that shifted, with variable conditions throughout both days, resulting in competitive racing.

Report on the 8th Annual Delaware River Perpetual Thistle Trophy held at New Castle Sailing Club in Delaware on October 24-25, 1987. The event featured competitive racing with multiple boats competing, including several from outside the local area.

Overview of the 1987 East Coast Fall Series with congratulations to Brent Barbehenn and Matt Frankfort for their awards. Notes on seasonal trends, participation trends, and a list of series winners by regatta location.

Report from the Wild Turkey Regatta held October 30-31, 1987 at an unspecified location with moderate to strong winds. The regatta featured competitive racing with varied results across multiple races, including results for both qualifying and non-qualifying boats.

Report from the 17th Annual Old Salty Regatta on Lake Norman in North Carolina featuring Thistle and Highlander classes racing together. Includes race results showing top finishers and race-by-race scores.

Report on the 1987 Niagara Frontier Series showing Bill Wilson's overall victory. The series consisted of six regattas sailed in the district, with participation from boats across the region including a strong showing from local fleet.