Thistle 2003 News

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• 2003 Bloody Mary Regatta
• 2003 Oyster Roast, Annapolis
• 2003 Nationals - Interview with Champion Brent Barbehenn
• 2003 Atlantic Coast Championship
• 2003 Midwinters East
• 2003 Midwinters West - North 1,2,3!
  
  

2003 THISTLE BLOODY MARY REGATTA

Report courtesy Scott Griffin

Twenty-three boats participated in the 2003 Bloody Mary Regatta this past weekend on Lake Hartwell. It was a warm, sunny, and light air weekend, but everyone made the best of it and the Race Committe did outstanding to complete three races. Two races were sailed Saturday in a light, 4 - 6 knot, but very steady wind which seemed to favor the two-person teams. Sean Murphy had a great start in race one and sailed very smart throughout to win the first race. Greg Griffin held off Scott Griffin and Mike Szabo to finish second. In the second race, Bryan Anderson slipped by Greg Griffin on the first run and then made a nice decision late on the second beat to open a big lead. Greg Griffin once again sailed a nice race to finish second. After Saturdays racing, Greg Griffin held a two point edge over Scott Griffin. The two race winners, Sean Murphy and Brian Anderson, were in a three way tie at 9 points with Mike Szabo who had two good races on the day. On Sunday, what turned out to be the only race started in a light, 5 knot Northerly breeze. However, the wind began dying and backing as we sailed up the first leg. On the first reaching leg, the wind continued to back and dye until it became a second beat in almost drifting conditions. Andy Lawrence slipped by Greg Griffin and then Scott Griffin to take the lead and claim a well earned victory for the three-person teams. Greg Griffin finished third securing the regatta victory. Mike and Mark Szabo continued their consistent sailing to move up to third overall.

I want to thank all those who attended. I hope that everyone had a wonderful time and look forward to seeing you all again next year.

For more information about our fast Thistle sails, contact the North's Thistle Experts!

2003 THISTLE OYSTER ROAST

Report by Greg Fisher

This past weekend 26 Thistles sailed the Oyster Roast in Annapolis. Lots of varied conditions with a good blow on Saturday and light winds on Sunday. Brent Barbehenn showed why he's National Champ and bested Charlie Kreitler ( Atlantic Coast Champ) and Sam Ingham ( Mike Ingham's 14 yr old son with Dad crewing!). Another North sweep with only one boat I could count with a non-North full inventory. Another great event hosted by Severn Sailing Assosciation!!

For more information about our fast Thistle sails, contact the North's Thistle Experts!

2003 THISTLE NATIONALS
Interview with the 2003 Thistle National Champ, Brent Barbehenn

Interview by Skip Dieball

How did you prepare for this year’s nationals?
There were a few things which really helped us. First, I spent the 4 weekends prior to the regatta sailing a thistle--at least one day per weekend, and not necessarily racing. I don't think I've been able to do that since the early 90's. Second, I took an extra day to travel to the regatta so that I could sleep in a bed at nite(and not in the car),and arrive rested. Third, (and I did not know this at the time), my teammates Chris Murphy and Scott Lennox knew me well, and worked hard to 'have things the way I liked it'. Everything from keeping the boat clean to spending extra time at the boat on rigging details, and getting up a little earlier to have the schedule I liked. This really gave me a positive and relaxed mindset going into the regatta

What were you expecting in the way of conditions for Ft. Walton, Florida?
We expected winds in the range of 5 to 15 knots with flat water, and that's pretty much what we got.

Did you change anything in your set-up prior to or during the Nationals?
Compared with the Atlantic Coast Champ. Regatta a few weeks earlier, which was sailed in a lot of chop on Chesapeake Bay, the only thing we changed was the rig tension(for the expected flatter water), which was increased by about 2 units on the old style loos gauge by simply putting the forestay pin in the next lower hole on the adjuster. We did not worry about the slight change in rake.

If so, why?
Our feeling was that less forestay sag was needed if there were less waves.

You were able to stay consistent relative to the rest of the fleet….how did you manage this?
My philosophy is that 'boatspeed is king'. It appeared to me that we were one of the faster boats at the regatta, and when you have this, you can be a bit more careful especially on starts, and you can blast thru some potentially bad situations. Also, Chris and Scott gave us an incredible braintrust. As in basketball when they speak of 'good court awareness', my teammates have 'great course awareness'. They continually painted an accurate picture of where the fleet was and what to expect. So, I guess to answer the question, we kept the boat going fast, and our heads out of the boat.

How often do you sail?
This year, more than most in recent times. I actually sailed in some type of boat at least one day per weekend from mid May right up to the Nationals. Now that's what I call fun!

What other classes?
Jet-14(I pretty much split my time between this and the Thistle), J-22(once or twice a year), and Laser(daysail only if on vacation).

What are your plans for the rest of the year?
To sail as much as I can up to November, either in the Thistle or the Jet. There are more than enough regattas to sail every weekend, and I'm going to try to do it, but it takes a lot of travel. Of course, I'll probably have to take a weekend off to rest because this old body may not have enough gas left.

Why did you choose North as your sailmaker?
North has consistently made good,fast sails over the years for me. Also, if I ever had a problem or question, they've been there to help

Any advise for those who are looking to get better?
Take time to set up your boat properly. Don't be afraid to ask the good guys for help. Sail as much as possible, even if it's not racing.

For more information about our fast Thistle sails, contact the North's Thistle Experts!

2003 THISTLE ATLANTIC COAST CHAMPIONSHIP

Report by Greg Fisher

This past weekend 50 boats sailed the Thistle Atlantic Coasts sailed out of SSA in Annapolis. The conditions were quite varied as were the seas....two of the choppiest days of sailboating I've ever seen!
But it was a great event for North as our sails literally dominated the entire regatta. Only two sets of sails in the entire event were NOT North!!! 48 of 50 were North!

Charlie Kreitler from Ched's home club was a popular winner with a 1,2 the last day. Blair Dryden was second, Jack Finefrock was third, Brent Barbehenn was 4th with 2 firsts and Brad Thompson was 5th.

I did a clinic on Friday that was attended by a interested group....although when the Friday evening party started they quickly dispersed!

The Ched designs were on Charlie's boat and 10 of the top 20 and the Greg stuff also was on 9 of the top 20.
A great weekend!

For more information about our fast Thistle sails, contact the North's Thistle Experts!

2003 MIDWINTERS EAST

Report by Skip Dieball

Paul Abdullah team, 2003 Midwinter Champions. Powered by North!

The Thistle MWE regatta was held March 3-7 at St. Petersburg Y.C. The weather was spectacular, especially from my perspective (Midwestern).

Eight races were sailed in varying conditions, putting a premium on consistency and quickness. North Customer Paul Abdullah with crew Peter Bream and Andy Lawrence showed tremendous speed all week long. He got off the line clean and worked the variable winds to finish in the top 8 every race (finishing top 3 in 5 races), which wasn’t easy with 60 competitors battling on the starting line all week.

North Customers made up 82% of the overall fleet this year (17 out of top 20). Both Greg Fisher and I were on hand to help tune, answer questions and contribute to the very successful Coach TCA program. Every year more sailors take part in this event and it shows that the Thistle Class is focused on growing the fleet in numbers and knowledge. We are proud to be involved and look forward to this coming season!

Results:

1) Paul Abdullah, Peter Bream, Andy Lawrence 31 pts. (Fisher Main, Fisher Jib, CC Spin)
2) Bill Draheim 37 pts.
3) Andy MacDonald 46 pts.
4) Dave Hansen, A. Hansen, G. Mentesana 56 pts. (Fisher Main, Proctor Jib, CC Spin)
5) Jack Finefrock, K. Finefrock, B. Barbehenn 57 pts. (Proctor Main, Proctor Jib, CC Spin)
6) Skip Dieball, B. Schmidt, J. Kitchin 60 pts. (Fisher Main, Fisher Jib, CC Spin)
7) Lloyd Kitchn, C. Kitchin, J. Hale 72 pts. (Proctor Main, Proctor Jib, CC Spin)
8) Champ Glover, V. Hellman, N. Peffer 84 pts. (NW Main, NW Jib, CC Spin)
9) Ted Lischer, J. Kaufman, C. Bremer 89 pts. (Proctor Main, Proctor Jib)
10) Ron Smith, J. Moyer, P. Beecher 101 pts. (Fisher Main, Fisher Jib)

For more information about our fast Thistle sails, contact the North's Thistle Experts!

2003 MIDWINTERS WEST / LARRY KLEIN MEMORIAL REGATTA

Report by Skip Dieball

A relative light turnout for this year’s Thistle Midwinters West (thanks to the Super Bowl). About 30 boats participated in the 4 day event that kicked off with the Larry Klein Memorial Regatta - a Match Racing event where the fleet sails a qualifying series and the top 8 boats bracket up for the Championship. My team of Chris Snow (middle) and Mary McNitt (forward) sailed incredibly well knocking off the #2 & #1 seeded boats in the Semis and Finals respectively. North Sails were used by all 8 qualifying boats!!!

Larry Klein Memorial Regatta Final Results:

1st Skip Dieball, Chris Snow, Mary McNitt
2nd Mike Ingham, Bobby Bryant, Linda Bryant

Mike Gillum & Pat Schirmer were the other semi-finalist (no consolation races were held)

The Midwinters was a 3 day event with racing on the Pacific Ocean on Friday and Saturday and on Mission Bay on Sunday. Two races determined the “split” and two divisions sailed a 6 race series. Lighter winds and heavy swell were experienced on the ocean. Boat speed through the varying breeze was key. Ron Smith won the qualification with a 3,2. A third race was abandoned due to heavy fog which came in toward the end of the 2nd race.

Saturday’s light winds continued, and our team posted the best scores of the day with a 3,1,1. Mike Ingham’s team was close with a 1, 3, 2. Ron Smith and Mike Gillum weren’t far behind in 3rd & 4th respectively.

With a ½ point lead going into the last day, the Bay courses (with shiftier winds) would be the proving ground. Mike Ingham’s team posted a 1, 6, 2 to win the championship by that same ½ point margin over our team (2, 3, 4). The close racing was a lot of fun and everyone left with smiles on their faces.

For North Sails, another great event for our customers and our various sail designs.

Midwinters Top 5:

1) Mike Ingham (Fisher Main, Proctor Jib, Crosscut Spinnaker) 18 pts.
2) Skip Dieball (Fisher Main, Fisher Jib, Crosscut Spinnaker) 18.5 pts.
3) Mike Gillum (Proctor Main, Proctor Jib, RC-4 Spinnaker) 28.5 pts.
4) Ron Smith (Fisher Main, Fisher Jib) 33.5 pts.
5) Mike Poltorak (NW Main, NW Jib, Crosscut Spinnaker) 46 pts.

For more information on Thistle sails, contact the North Thistle experts.