July/August/September 2021

The President reflects on the enduring appeal of Thistle sailing, noting the boat's elegant design and performance. He celebrates the class's 76-year history, discusses the importance of three-person crews for creating balanced teams and family participation, and expresses optimism about the upcoming 75th National Championship.

The Past-President offers observations on the Fleet 53 constitutional amendment debate, noting that there is significant disagreement about the amendment's scope and impact. He advocates for proceeding cautiously with changes that have unclear effects, citing the class's successful 76-year history of deliberate decision-making.

The First Vice President discusses the importance of sharing knowledge and maintaining positive mental attitudes in Thistle racing. He describes a weekly Zoom group of skilled sailors discussing tactics and boat handling, emphasizing how sharing best practices and avoiding mental barriers like thought distortions can enhance enjoyment and performance.

A comprehensive listing of Thistle racing events from July 2021 through March 2022, including regional championships, dinghies, and special regattas across North America with dates, locations, contacts, and previous winners.

The Nationals Chairman provides updates and information about the 75th Anniversary Thistle National Championship being held July 31 – August 6 at Cleveland Yachting Club. Details include day camp options, merchandise pre-orders, environmental sustainability efforts, and a comprehensive schedule of races and social events.

A detailed guide to sailing conditions at the 2021 Nationals venue on Lake Erie near Cleveland. Information covers typical wind patterns, water depth, thermal conditions, tidal currents, wave characteristics, and tactical wind shifts, providing competitors with important local sailing knowledge.

A practical guide to eco-friendly boat cleaning using common kitchen ingredients. The article provides recipes for all-purpose cleaners, fiberglass stain removers, aluminum and stainless steel cleaners, life jacket cleaners, mildew removers, and sail cleaners, along with tips for minimizing environmental impact.

Environmental and health guidance on sunscreen selection. The article explains the difference between physical and chemical sunscreen barriers, warning against oxybenzone and recommending zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as safe alternatives for both personal health and marine ecosystems.

Report on the Camellia Cup regatta held at Folsom Lake, California in April 2021. Six Thistles from Lake Washington Sailing Club raced despite low water levels and challenging wind conditions, with Steven Hale ultimately winning the regatta by one point over Dan Clark.

Report on the Singing River Regatta held in May 2021 at Muscle Shoals Sailing Club in Alabama. Seven Thistles competed in challenging shifty conditions. Loy Vaughan and Andrew DeRussy won after managing to connect in Sunday's races, while Tanner Schultz and team placed second.

Report on the one-day Damful Regatta held at Leatherlips Yacht Club in May 2021, featuring four windward-leeward races in shifty wind conditions. Ben France won with consistent top-four finishes, while Corinne Sackett placed second and Steve Lavender took third.

Membership information for the Thistle Class Association, detailing how to join and the various membership categories with dues for 2021, including Active, Family, Grand Family, Junior, Associate, Contributing, and Sustaining levels.

Report on the BAD Regatta held on May 8, 2021 at Hoover Sailing Club with 15 Thistles competing. Held under COVID-19 precautions with unpredictable wind conditions causing six different race winners. The Hubbell-Yingling team won overall, while the Shedden family team finished second despite challenging conditions.

A list of new and returning members who joined the Thistle Class Association for 2021. The list includes over 60 individuals welcoming them to the class community.

The Chief Measurer announces that Beacon Composites is now the approved builder of Thistle hulls and discusses a long-standing measurement issue with beam dimensions at Stations 1 and 2. Details what will and will not be checked at the 2021 Nationals, including safety equipment, weight, flotation, and sail declarations.

Minutes from an April 27, 2021 Governing Board meeting held via Zoom with 22 officers present. The board met to get official interpretation of the Constitution and Bylaws regarding procedures for voting on the Fleet 53 amendment, clarifying voting thresholds and requirements.

Announcement of Sailors for the Sea's Clean Class Initiative pilot program with the Thistle Class Association. The program combines Clean Regattas and Green Boating initiatives to recognize classes taking environmental action, with opportunities for individual members to become Green Boaters and events to become certified Clean Regattas.

A personal essay about the author's passion for painting designs on Thistle sails, inspired by college sailors' aggressive tactics and artistic influences. He describes his artistic techniques using various paint media on sailcloth and shares examples of his work.

Challenge announcement to bring 20 women's teams and 20 junior teams to the 75th Nationals at Cleveland Yachting Club. A humorous reward incentivizes participation: the TCA secretary will dye her hair green for 20 juniors, purple for 20 women, or create a Mohawk for both targets.