February-March 2011

Announcement that the North Thistle team has expanded with the addition of three national champions: Mike Ingham (2010 National champion), Allan Terhune, and Nick Turney. The team, led by Chet Proctor, is available to help sailors.

Collection of advertisements and classifieds for Thistle-related products and services including sails, covers, rigging equipment, boat repairs, marine insurance, apparel, and other sailing supplies from various vendors.

Lloyd Kitchin encourages Thistle sailors to plan their 2011 sailing season by attending regattas, coordinating with fleet members, and engaging in the full Thistle experience including fleet barbeques and tuning days. He emphasizes that successful seasons involve both competitive racing and community building.

Bruce Mccutcheon outlines the new amendment procedure approved by the Governing Board in 2010. The procedure establishes a timeline requiring amendments to be submitted by October 1st and published in the December/January Bagpipe, with fleet comments due by February 1st, ensuring proper member review before voting at the Annual Meeting.

The Finefrock family dominated the 2010 Lake Erie Fall Series with Jack, Kyle, and Nicole (Finefrock) Shedden taking the top three positions. The article reviews the six regattas that comprised the series, including venues at Vermilion, Atwood, and Pymatuning, highlighting the family's sailing excellence and the series' competitive standards.

Steve Lavender and Doug Laber conducted comparative testing of centerboard stiffness by measuring deflection under static loads. Using lead shot weights, they compared a new GMW board, a 15-year-old GMW board, and an old D&M board, finding that the aged boards' additional deflection does not warrant replacement when investment in new sails would be more beneficial.

Craig Smith proposes using a Thistle boat as a camping option at regattas, offering advantages over tent camping including no setup/breakdown, sleeping until the harbor gun, and protection from elements. He provides detailed instructions on positioning, support, bedding, and practical tips for a comfortable night in the boat.

Final race results table for the 2010 Lumberjack Thistle Regatta, showing standings for 25 boats across 5 races with total points and best race scores. Eric Gesner took first place with 17 total points.

Elmer Richards reports on the 12th annual Lumberjack Thistle Regatta held August 28-29 at Tupper Lake, New York. Eric Gesner won with Doug Kaukeinen second and John Baker third. The regatta featured 25 boats competing in five races, including two distance races around islands. The event was well-organized with excellent food and community support.

Scott Latham reviews the 2010 East Coast Fall Series, reporting that John Baker won the skippers' sweepstakes for the fifth time with an 84% Hi-Point score, while Joy Martin won the crew trophy for the second consecutive year. The series included 87 skippers and 198 crew members across eight regattas, with special recognition trophies awarded.

Scott Latham provides a detailed account of the Fall Frontier regatta at Rochester Yacht Club where Mike Ingham won for the second year in a row over rival Jim Barnash. Latham recounts his own crew's experience racing in seven races on Lake Ontario with challenging wind conditions, including equipment failures, tactical decisions, and the camaraderie of the Thistle community.

Craig Smith reports on the Horrocks-Palmer-Alvarez Regatta at Sayville Yacht Club where eleven Thistles competed. After close racing on Saturday with Steve Gruver leading, Sunday brought a four-way tie for first place among Gruver, Jesse Gaylord, Larry Liggett, and Chris Pollak. Pollak won the final race and overall regatta with strong crew performance.

Chris Murphy reports on the Goetz Memorial Regatta at Lake Hopatcong where seventeen Thistles competed in shifty, puffy conditions. Brent Barbehenn led after Saturday's difficult racing, and despite Sunday's lighter winds creating a wind hole situation, Barbehenn finished first with crew Bryan Parker and Tiffany Parker, while Murphy placed second and Brian Kitchin third.

Scott Latham reviews the Ted Fontelieu Invitational at Cedar Point, describing varied racing conditions across the weekend. Saturday featured medium air and five races with difficult, shifty conditions and 18 boats competing. Sunday brought 15-20+ knot winds with five-six foot waves. Dave Foster won the regatta with strong speed, while Steve Gruver and Scott Latham battled for top positions throughout.

Peyton Ankers reports on the Oyster Roast at Severn Sailing Association in Annapolis where perfect weather conditions prevailed. John Baker of Seneca Yacht Club won the regatta with only four points separating the top three skippers after Saturday's three races. On Sunday, light wind and postponements delayed racing, and the final race was eventually discarded due to time limits.

Scott Meyer describes the Kayaderosseras Kup at Saratoga Sailing Club where seventeen teams braved heavy nor'easter winds forecasted at 18-20 knots gusting to 47. Saturday featured two short-track races in 15-20 knot conditions with survival sailing and minimal clear air. Charlie Kreitler won with his big breeze speed, and Sunday's lighter 10-15 knot conditions saw close racing with Kreitler maintaining the lead.

Rob and Bill Dexter report on the LoGerfo Memorial Regatta at Nyack where eighteen boats competed in light, shifty southerly winds on Saturday followed by light northerly conditions on Sunday. John Baker won with consistent scoring throughout the regatta, while the Goetherts finished second and Rob Dexter third. Current tactics played a significant role in the light air racing.

Brian Kitchin reports on the Heather Bowl at Red Dragon Canoe Club, the finale of the fall series. Saturday featured steady breezes down the Delaware River with Latham and Pollak showing upwind power. After a scoring controversy involving Kitchin's team, they recovered with a strong showing. Red Dragon's Halloween party was a highlight with live music and a large dinner spread.

Final standings table for the 2010 East Coast Fall Series showing the top 10 skippers and 8 crew members ranked by Hi-Point percentage scoring. John Baker led the skippers with 0.8399 Hi-Point score, while Joy Martin won the crew competition for the second consecutive year with 0.8363 Hi-Point score.