August/September 2017

The President proposes new "Cookie Races" at the 2018 MidWinters designed to emphasize class and crew development over championship competition. The races offer a relaxed environment for teams to mix crew, share learning experiences, and practice with younger sailors, with delicious prizes awarded for good sailing.

The Growth and Promotion Fund has received contributions and is supporting 13 young Thistle teams at the Nationals in Chautauqua. The article solicits additional donations to fund these initiatives and notes that contributions are tax-deductible for 501c3 members.

The First Vice President explains the legal concept of "in loco parentis" (temporary guardianship) for unrelated minor crew members traveling to away regattas. The article emphasizes the importance of formally establishing this legal status for safety, emergency medical treatment, and clarifying responsibility while away from parents.

Obituary for Bob Sessions (1967-2017), a lifelong Thistle sailor and dedicated member of the class community. Sessions had a distinguished racing career including winning the Junior Bay Regatta and Sears Cup Semi-finals, winning the first-ever Junior Nationals in 1985, and competing in numerous Nationals and Midwinters throughout his life. Despite health challenges from multiple myeloma, he remained active in the sailing community.

Obituary for Joseph Martin Krafft (1923-2017), a pioneering research engineer at the Naval Research Laboratory who helped develop fracture mechanics. Krafft was a lifelong Alexandria resident and dedicated sailor who competed with distinction in Snipe, Penguin, and Thistle classes. He was particularly known for his volunteer service with ALIVE!, a charitable organization serving the Alexandria community.

Twelve participants competed in a six-race series on May 13, 2017, at Hoover Sailing Club under shifty wind conditions. The article humorously chronicles the racing experience through a song parody set to the tune of "Volcano" by Jimmy Buffet, describing the challenges of the shifting north winds and the social aspects of the regatta.

The annual Dixie Regatta at Atlanta Yacht Club over Memorial Day Weekend (May 26-28, 2017) featured a Hawaiian luau theme and attracted 60 boats from across multiple states. Brad Russell won his third consecutive Dixie trophy, with Andy Russell second and Bryce Dryden taking third place. The regatta combined competitive racing with social festivities and family participation.

The Eagle Ocean Regatta at Eagle Lake Sailing Club in Edwardsburg, Michigan (May 20-21, 2017) featured seven races over two days in strong wind conditions. Andy McDonald and Mark Makielski dominated the racing with four straight bullets and multiple top finishes. The regatta included a tribute to late Thistle sailor Dick Otter, with the local sailing community providing music and fellowship.

The joint Michiana Districts and One Design regatta at Sandusky Sailing Club on June 10-11, 2017, featured seven Interlakes and seven Thistles in sustained winds of 15-20 knots with gusts to 25+ mph. Challenging conditions resulted in eight capsizes (all successfully recovered), but crews persisted. Fleet sizes decreased Sunday due to continued high winds, with five races completed total and trophies awarded.

The SeneCanoe regatta at Seneca Yacht Club (June 3-5, 2017) featured seven races in shifty north winds of 8-18 knots, with a focus on sustainability and crew development heading into the summer Nationals. Team Kaukeinen in new boat #4043 emerged victorious despite no first-place finishes, with Team Ingham close behind. The regatta emphasized great seamanship and consistency under variable conditions.

The Lake Erie Districts regatta at Pymatuning Yacht Club in Northwestern Pennsylvania (June 3-4, 2017) featured three races Saturday with wind shifts of 10-20 degrees in 5-10 mph breezes. Jesse Shedden's team won with consistent mid-place finishes, while the competition was tightly bunched behind. Sunday's races were cancelled due to weather. The District annual meeting elected John Yingling as the next District Governor.

Advertisement for JIBMASTER sailing cleats designed for efficient jibsheet management. The ad presents three models of cleats (JIBMASTER III with ratchet blocks, JIBMASTER II, and basic JIBMASTER) with pricing and specifications for crew-friendly, easy-to-use equipment that can be cleated and uncleated from anywhere on the rail.

A comprehensive calendar of upcoming Thistle Class regattas from August 2017 through November 2017, listing dates, locations, contact information, and previous year's winners for 27 different events across multiple regions and lakes.

The editor emphasizes the importance of including crew names in regatta results published in the Bagpipe. Many online registration systems and reporters omit crew information, resulting in incomplete results that fail to recognize two-thirds of the participants. The article notes recent issues had only one regatta with full crew listed and calls for complete team attribution.

The Berlin Yacht Club regatta over Father's Day weekend (June 16-18, 2017) featured 12 Thistle teams and emphasized family sailing and relationships. Many teams included couples or blood relatives, representing a tradition of multi-generational participation. The regatta included five races across two days with shifting winds of 12-18 knots, culminating in family-focused awards and celebration.