October/November 2022

President Howell reflects on attending the Pacific Northwest Districts at Flathead Lake and its connection to the legendary 1988 Nationals. He encourages all Thistle sailors to study the Bagpipe archives and make plans to attend the 2023 Nationals at North Flathead Lake, emphasizing the importance of understanding class history and culture as new leaders take charge.

Pignolet reports on three ongoing projects: testing prototypes for a new mast butt/mast step interface to be distributed to Thistle hotbed areas, digitizing official plans with assistance from engineers including a Boeing expert, and exploring how new electronics technology like GPS trackers and Mark Set Bot could improve management of major regattas.

Duckworth announces that the Thistle Class website now allows members to post their own regatta results. The process is straightforward and includes uploading race results and featured photos.

Comprehensive listing of Thistle regattas scheduled from October 2022 through March 2023, including regional fall series, midwinters, and the 2023 Nationals at Flathead Lake.

A compelling guide highlighting ten reasons why Thistle sailors should attend the 2023 Nationals at Flathead Lake, including legendary sailing conditions, scenic beauty, predictable wind patterns, excellent club hospitality, abundant local activities, and dining options near Kalispell and Bigfork.

Shedden provides comprehensive regatta promotion strategies organized into three categories: one-to-many promotion (TCA website, Bagpipe calendar, Google Group posts, articles, social media), one-to-few promotion (District Governors, past attendee emails, announcements at other events), and one-to-one personal invitations, plus bonus tactics like online registration systems and free housing.

An extensive obituary for Don Moore (1929-2022), a legendary Thistle sailor who raced for over 50 years with the Severn Sailing Association near Annapolis, Maryland. Moore was known for his generous support of the fleet, his contributions to regatta traditions including the Labor Day Oyster Roast, and his final generous act of giving his boat to a young family to keep them at SSA.

Ingham provides an overview of the Thistle Class's Clean Class Initiative, highlighting 20 best practices tracked by Sailors for the Sea. He discusses successful practices already implemented (water bottles, straws, reusable bags, trophies, publicity, educational signage, waste management, green boating) and growth opportunities, emphasizing that regattas don't need all 20 practices to reach Bronze or Silver certification.

A detailed race report on Newport's inaugural women's regatta held August 6-7 on Narragansett Bay. Nine boats participated with sailors ranging from age 12 to 60, including former Olympians and national champions. The event featured competitive racing across five races plus a unique coastal race circumnavigating Rose Island, complemented by social events designed to welcome newcomers to the class.

A comprehensive report on the Pacific Northwest District Championship held August 6-7, 2022 at North Flathead Yacht Club in Montana. Eleven boats competed in challenging conditions with building morning northerly breezes and shifting afternoon thermals. Darrell Peck won decisively, with Wayne Pignolet and Terry Lettenmaier placing second and third.

Collection of advertisements for Thistle-related products and services, including Rooke Sails boat covers with custom options, Beacon Composites offering new Thistle builds with various rigging options, and boat builder pricing information.

A humorous and detailed account of Team Bone Broke's road trip from Rochester to the Atlantic Coast Championship at Nyack Boat Club on June 25-26, 2022. The report covers Friday evening's Olympian Caleb Paine clinic on America's Cup racing, Saturday's challenging light-wind racing on the Hudson River, Sunday's thermal racing conditions, and the team's post-race dining and social adventures.

Complete race results from the Atlantic Coast Championship at Nyack Boat Club on June 25-26, 2022, showing Brent Barbehenn's team in boat #2354 "Come At Me Bro" winning with 10 points, followed by Vincent and Ben Yannelli in second place and Doug Kaukeinen's team in third.

A personal account of the Great Lakes Championship held June 25-26, 2022 at Crescent Sail Yacht Club in Michigan. Shedden describes the hospitality of the club (including dockside lodging on big boats), competitive racing conditions with two different wind directions, and celebrates the winning performances of Ken and Brendon Swetka.

A compelling narrative by junior racer Emerson Becker about sailing in a Thistle for the first time at the Chubb Area E Sears Qualifier on July 12, 2022 at Vermilion Boating Club. Becker and crew Henry Elmore and Jenna Drobny, all experienced Laser sailors, learned spinnaker techniques and multi-person boat handling while competing in five races, finishing 6th overall and placing 21st net.