June/July 2010

President Gillum discusses the upcoming 2010 National Championships at North Cape Yacht Club in LaSalle, Michigan (July 24-30) and reflects on the history of the Thistle Class Association through his personal collection of Bagpipe publications and the class's founding story.

Chief Measurer Pollak explains the role of Chief Measurer's Rulings and interpretations in class administration, and details the measurement requirements for boats competing in the 2010 National Championships, including weight, centerboard and rudder tolerances, sails, and safety equipment.

Greg Griffin recounts the 36th Orange Peel Regatta held at the Florida Yacht Club in March 2010, highlighting the coaching clinic, weather challenges with multiple mast breakages, and the historic victory of Kirsten Barton as the first woman to win the Orange Peel Regatta.

Doug Laber provides a technical analysis of mast breakage in Thistle sailboats, focusing on heavy-air off-wind conditions. He explains the physics of column loading, sail forces, and mast deformations, then discusses three types of breakage mechanisms and strategies for prevention.

Editor Kevin Arrow provides a lively recap of the 2010 Midwinters East regatta held in St. Petersburg, Florida in late February/early March, featuring detailed race analysis, colorful anecdotes about special "Thistler for a Day" events, and coverage of seven races in challenging weather conditions.

Complete race results from the 36th Annual Orange Peel Regatta held March 13-14, 2010 at the Florida Yacht Club, showing placements for 28 boats across three races.

Comprehensive listing of Thistle Class regattas scheduled for June and July 2010 across multiple regions, including dates, locations, and organizer contact information.

Official Notice of Race for the 2010 TCA National Championship held July 25-30 at North Cape Yacht Club in LaSalle, Michigan, detailing rules, eligibility, entry procedures, measurements, and race schedule.

Official Notice of Race for the 2010 TCA Women's and Youth National Championships held July 24 at North Cape Yacht Club, detailing eligibility, entry, measurement, racing schedule, and trophies for competitors under age 21.

Kevin Sheehan reports on the Carolina Districts Championship held April 24-25 at Jordan Lake near Pittsboro, North Carolina, featuring 12 boats competing in challenging shifting winds and highlighting Scott Griffin's dominant performance.

Complete scoring results from the 2010 Midwinters East regatta held February 27-March 5, 2010 at St. Petersburg Yacht Club, showing finishes for all boats in the Championship Division across seven races.

Complete scoring results for the President's Division of the 2010 Midwinters East regatta, featuring 13 boats competing across races 4-7.

Short report on the 8-Ball Regatta in Indianapolis featuring 17 Thistle boats competing in consistently strong 15-25 knot winds, with results for top five finishers.