2020 Thistle Oyster Roast

With no bivalves and the Thistle Class Association actively discouraging travelling to regattas, we settled for four SSA boats and two nearby visitors for the event.  PRO Greg Cukor and team were faced with a forecast that was calling for wind from 10 to 15 with gusts to 20.  The forecast ended up being accurate -- but not in the time allotted for the races.  We completed 1 and ¾ races in a moderate 5 to 8 knot breeze that faded to nothing at the end of the second race. After waiting over an hour for the breeze to reappear, the fleet was towed in.  Reports from Thomas Point indicated the forecasted wind did arrive by 4 PM, although the Thistles were put away by then.  

The Oyster Roast Regatta – a 30 year Thistle tradition at SSA -- has a recently dedicated perpetual trophy.  The Thistle Oyster Roast perpetual trophy honors Paul Parramore, father of former SSA member, Michael Parramore. Paul sailed Thistles before he moved to the Jet 14 class before his untimely passing.  

In the 2020 Oyster Roast, first place was taken by Jesse Gaylord (Fleet 34, sailing with Nick Moreau and Kaity Norton), edging out Charlie Krafft (SSA, sailing with Cairn Krafft and Erin Sammons). With only two races, we ended up with a three-way tie for third with Eileen Fahrmeier (SSA, sailing with Jack Roesner and RJ Bay) besting John Majane (SSA, sailing with Vaughn Hood and Jim Schmicker) and Bill Kitchens (GRSA, sailing with Lauren Blanchard and Ezra Kirschbaum) to take third. The only two-person team to compete was comprised of SSA member Ed John and Tory Gibb. The regatta was designated a Clean Regatta by Sailors for the Sea, with Cairn Krafft coordinating the event and making sure it was easy for the teams to abide by the guidelines set out by SFTS. 

Results are posted on the SSA website http://results.severnsailing.org/2020/2020-Thistle-Oyster-Roast/2020-Thistle-Oyster-Roast.html

More photos can be found at Thistle Fleet 34’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pg/ThistleFleet34/posts/