December/January 2026

Newly elected president Aaron Holland introduces himself and outlines his guiding principles: fiscal responsibility, democracy, and keeping affordability and accessibility at the forefront. He discusses priorities including digital OCS detection/notification technology, expanded meeting formats, and expanding the Coach TCA program into a premier one-design education platform.

Past President Duckworth encourages members to upgrade their membership level to support printing and mailing costs of the physical Bagpipe newsletter. He explains that printing and mailing costs about $50 per year per member and suggests that upgrading to Contributing, Sustaining, or Sandy Douglas membership levels helps offset these expenses and supports essential class operations.

First Vice President Chris Murphy reflects on his journey in the Thistle Class, from first sailing at age eight to marrying into the Kitchin family and raising his own children in the class. He emphasizes the sense of family and community as central to the Thistle Class and outlines his commitment to making events welcoming and family-friendly while promoting thoughtful experimentation.

Comprehensive calendar of Thistle Class regattas and events for 2026, including regional championships, midwinters series, and district championships across multiple locations from January through September.

Classified ads and marketplace listings for Thistle-related products and services including hiking strap manufacturers, Thistle cover makers, and sailing accessories. Products advertised include padded hiking straps with Sunbrella material (Fabricraft), custom Thistle covers with Delrin zippers and mesh vents (Rooke Sails), and various cover and sail options.

Tribute to Jim Tompkins (1938-2025), a long-time Thistle sailor and dedicated class volunteer who won multiple RCC Thistle Championships and participated actively in regattas and mentoring. He is survived by his wife Patty, two daughters, and four grandchildren; a Celebration of Life is planned for May 30, 2026.

Tribute to Cheryl Gindling (1966-2025), a devoted Thistle sailor, Niagara Frontier District Governor, and mother who brought enthusiasm and positivity to the class before her passing from lung cancer. She is survived by her husband Jim, daughter Nicole, and siblings.

Recognition of two Thistlers inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2025: Greg Fisher, noted for his impressive one-design sailing career and sailing education, and Dave Dellenbaugh, renowned for his sailing record including seven Thistle National Championships and America's Cup campaigns. Both join Sandy Douglass in the Hall.

Report on the 63rd annual Old Goat Regatta held at Lake Lanier Sailing Club on September 6-7, 2025, with 35 boats competing in light and variable winds. Bob McCormack and Michael Carlson won the event with a 2-5 finish, marking Bob's first Old Goat win since 2011. The regatta featured good racing, traditional shore-side festivities, and award of ice cream bars to participants.

Report on the 2025 Cedar Point Thistle Regatta held September 27-28 at Westport, Connecticut, where 12 boats competed in brisk fall breezes. Scott and Lauren Meyer with Kelly Chang aboard Just Married #3811 won with consistent sailing, followed by Jared Ridder's Safety First and Brian Joyce's Ghost Pepper. The regatta featured tight racing, good humor, and excellent race committee work.

Report on the Berlin Kick Off Regatta at Berlin Yacht Club in North Benton, Ohio, held in late August 2025 with 11 boats. Kyle Finefrock won the regatta by one point over the Shedden team with consistent sailing in shifty winds. The event featured six races and an après-sail chili tasting contest with pie. A poem written to the tune of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" celebrates the challenges of the day.

Report on the Atwood Harvest Moon Regatta held at Sherrodsville, Ohio, with 21 teams competing in fall conditions. The author highlights their daughter Emma's first Thistle regatta and the humorous mishaps of forgetting gear, followed by strong racing performance and the enjoyment of classic Atwood weekend traditions including camping and social camaraderie despite Sunday's lack of wind.

Report on the Jay Dornin Memorial Fall Regatta held at Pymatuming Yacht Club in Jamestown, Pennsylvania, with 10 boats competing in steady light winds. Jesse, Nicole, and Evelyn Shedden won the regatta, with Warren Duckworth and crew placing second and the author third. The steady wind conditions made starts paramount, and the event has been held annually since at least 1969.

Report on the Sandusky One-Design Regatta with eight boats competing. Jack Hunger, Ian Moran, and Allison Carroll won first place; the regatta was marked by light winds on Saturday that canceled racing and spinnaker chalk talks in the parking lot, followed by stronger Sunday conditions with four races.

Report on the Cleveland Yachting Club Equinox Regatta held at Rocky River, Ohio, with 12 teams competing in a classic fall Lake Erie sailing day with big waves and building breeze. Bobby Sessions with crew Tim Vining and Callie Ruppen won the regatta, with 5 competitive races completed by 2:45 and a cookout following.

Announcement and preview of the 2026 Midwinters East regatta scheduled for March 4-8 at Pensacola Yacht Club. Details include a four-day regatta format (Thursday-Sunday) with coaching, tuning, and practice on Wednesday March 4. Coach TCA sessions are planned. The article also mentions that the Orange Peel Regatta is moving back to its traditional third weekend in March slot.

Report on the 79th Snow Flurries Regatta held at Port Clinton Yacht Club featuring Thistles, J24s, and PHRF fleet despite the event's name suggesting cold weather. Seven Thistle teams competed in sunshine and high 70s temperatures. Ed Spengeman, Craig Koschalk, and Emma Spengeman won the perpetual trophy for the largest competing fleet.

Report on the Ice Breaker Regatta held at Crescent Sail Yacht Club in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, with 18 boats competing in tricky conditions. Ian Moran, John Shockey, and Marina Lamphier won the event. The race committee managed to complete six races over two days, and Fleet 2 provided warm hospitality by offering accommodations aboard member boats.

Report on the North Cape Blowout Regatta held at La Salle, Michigan, with 11 boats competing in mild fall conditions with light to moderate winds. Kyle Finefrock with Cole Finefrock and Mike Lovett won the event, defeating Bobby Sessions and Jack Finefrock. The regatta featured traditional North Cape homemade soups, turkey sandwiches, and famous Painkillers.

Article from Sailors for the Sea Powered by Oceana providing practical environmental guidance for Thistle sailors. Covers ditch bottled water, gear reuse/recycling, eco-friendly cleaning, winterization, sunscreen selection, invasive species prevention, wildlife protection, and leaving waterways better. Encourages sailors to visit sailorsforthesea.org/Thistle for the full Green Boating Guide.

Paul Cone, Second Vice President and chair of the Builder Committee, discusses the committee's work to find new sources for Thistle boat construction. The committee is storing Pacific Northwest and Great Midwest/Beacon Composite molds in dry storage and seeking input from the membership through a survey at thistleclass.com/survey regarding interest in new Thistle boats.

Class announcement reporting results of November 5, 2025 Special Governing Board meeting approving trial use of digital race management technology through 2026 Nationals. Details include temporary trial of digital OCS notification/detection and mark zone indicators, with no redress for missed electronic notifications. A Digital Race Management Commission has been formed to draft amendments for membership vote at 2026 Annual Meeting.

Wheeler Sutton, new Third Vice President for Growth and Promotion, outlines his mission to grow the Thistle Class by increasing social media presence to showcase the class to new sailors, supporting local fleets, and helping young and new sailors feel welcome. He invites interested sailors to help build social media content and emphasizes that the Thistle Class is fun, accessible, and affordable.

Secretary Dianne Duckworth provides instructions for renewing Thistle Class Association membership through the ClubSpot system. Instructions include logging in with existing credentials, updating member information, selecting membership level, and payment options including ACH and check. All dues are paid in January of the new year.

Report on the Hoover Last Splash Regatta held at Hoover Sailing Club in Westerville, Ohio, with 12 boats competing in six races. Kyle Finefrock and Cole Finefrock with Joe Goetz won, with Tom Hubbell second and Adam Gilbertson third. The author humorously describes the mishaps of forgetting the centerboard and jib sheets, creative rigging solutions, and a competitive tacking duel with Charlie Yingling. Lake Erie Fall Series statistics show 9 qualifying regattas with 48 unique skippers and 111 unique crew.