Thistle Spring Invitational
SSA Thistle Spring Invitational, June 11 & 12
SSA Thistle Fleet 34 hosted their Spring Invitational Regatta in conjunction with the Lightning Dixie Districts. Turnout was on the light side, with 5 teams competing. PRO Henry Thomas with DRO Chris Young set up a windward leeward course for the weak westerly breeze for the first race on Saturday. Oscillations of 30 to 40 degrees weren’t the only problem as the fresh breeze we sailed out in all but evaporated. A chance to shorten the course at the end of lap 1 didn’t go according to plan so the race was abandoned. After waiting for wind, and hoping the storm clouds were just water with no electrical activity, which turned out to be the case, the fleets were sent in for the day.
Sunday’s forecast was more promising with a southerly breeze that hadn’t quite settled in yet for the expected 10 AM start. Crossed signals, or lack thereof had us sailing around and finally getting the first Thistle start off close to 11 AM. The breeze kept oscillating, moving to the southwest, and then back south and southeast, in a manner that made moving the marks fool hardy. Race 1 got off without a hitch. The bottom seemed to drop out at the end of the first run in race 2 so the course was shortened to one lap. After a brief pause, the breeze filled in again, and two more races were run. Unfortunately, on the final run, the wind quit again, leading to a slow run to the finish, but then reappeared so we had a pleasant sail in.
Vince Yanelli sailing with his sister Rachel and Lilla Salvesen took first over Charlie and Cairn Krafft sailing with Molly Ratz. Rylee Wernoch sailed with them on Saturday. 3rd and 4th was a tie between Rosemary Foltis sailing with Doug Freeman and Molly Ratz (Saturday) and Rosemary’s sister Chris sailing on Sunday, and John Majane sailing with Jim Schmicker and LeAnn Myhre. With identical race scores, Rosemary with the better finish in race 4 was the tie-breaker. Bill Kitchens from the Richmond fleet sailing with Jono Roberts and Lauren Blanchard finished 5th.
SSA Thistler Ed John has just refurbished a number of Thistles which are available if anyone is interested in trying one out at one of our events. A bit of advance notice is needed, but let Ed or the fleet captain know if you are interested. Our next event is the Summer Series, June 18-19.