December 2001/January 2002

North Sails One Design announces the addition of Skip Dieball to their Thistle racing program, bringing over 15 years of Thistle sailing experience. The announcement promotes North Sails' One Design services with contact information for regional representatives.

Complete schedule and entry information for the 2002 Midwinters East Championship taking place March 2-8, 2002 at St. Petersburg Yacht Club. Event includes coaching classes, races, social events, and registration details.

Incoming president Greg Griffin reflects on new leadership transitions in the Thistle Class Association, thanking outgoing officers for their service. He shares a personal story of how he first discovered Thistles in 1983 and encourages members to introduce juniors to the class.

Welcome announcement for new Thistle Class Association members from various regions including Florida, Lake Erie, Long Island Sound, Michiana, and Northern California.

Chief Measurer Ron Smith discusses the Floatation Committee's ongoing work on safety requirements for Thistle boats. The memo addresses the need to increase floatation in wooden boats from 700 to 1000 pounds to achieve the same self-rescue capability as fiberglass boats with large bow tanks.

Comprehensive roundtable discussion featuring ten top-finishing teams from the 2001 Thistle National Championships. Topics covered include pre-regatta preparation, starting line strategy, boat speed tuning, mark rounding tactics, and advice for less experienced competitors. The discussion provides insights into competitive sailing techniques and team dynamics.

New Editor Blair Dryden and associate Mary McNitt introduce themselves and outline their vision for The Bagpipe. They thank the outgoing editorial team and explain procedures for submissions, explaining that regatta reports and technical articles have been the most popular, and inviting readers to contribute stories and ideas.

Advertisement and review for the book "Sailboat Racing with Greg Fisher" by Tom Hubbell with photos by Greg Fisher, featuring practical sailing techniques and anecdotes for competitive sailors.

Ted Lischer, the new Third Vice President for Growth and Promotion, discusses strategies for growing Thistle fleets. He shares his father's lifelong devotion to Thistles and outlines research on why sailors join the class and why fleets decline, providing insights for sustainable fleet growth.

Report on the July 2001 Gregor MacGregor Regatta held at Fernandina Beach, Florida. The event featured spectacular weather, close racing, and the unusual sight of a Trident nuclear submarine passing through Cumberland Sound. Michael Lenkeit won overall with consistent performances, with 20 boats competing.

Comprehensive coverage of the Lake Erie Fall Series, consisting of five regattas held in September and October 2001. The series included events at Hoover YC, Atwood YC, Pymatuning, Cleveland YC, and Crescent Sail Club, culminating in the Fall Finale at Atwood. Detailed race results are provided for all events.

Announcement for Coach-TCA, a seven-day sailing school running concurrently with Midwinters East 2002. The program offers coaching for both skippers and crew, led by Greg Fisher, with textbook and on-water instruction. Registration information and pricing options are provided.

Complete race results for the Pymatuning Domin Memorial regatta held September 15-16, 2001 in Jamestown, Pennsylvania.

Classified advertisements and miscellaneous offerings from Thistle sailors, including carbon fiber spinnaker poles and specialized boat equipment.