SSA’s Thistle Fleet 34 hosted their annual Oyster Roast Regatta, part of the Thistle East Coast Fall Series, on October 8 & 9, 2022.

Thistles crossing tacks at the start of a race on Saturday. Photo: Anie Larson

Twenty Thistles attended the Platinum-level Clean Regatta and were treated to sporty sailing in a fresh northwesterly breeze, which followed the Friday night passage of a cold front, providing 10-15 kts + Saturday and 8-12 with gusts and plenty of shifts on Sunday. The sailing conditions might best have been described as “challenging” as six boats capsized (four on Saturday and two on Sunday), and numerous boats retired early as the cool fall temperature and unexpectedly strong breeze found many competitors not suitably prepared for the conditions.

PRO Steve Podlich handled the competitive Thistle fleet seamlessly, although the wind gave the entire RC crew a constant workout, with the weather mark and leeward gate adjusted numerous times throughout the seven-race series. A strong ebb tide that swept boats down the Bay (especially on Sunday) contributed to a number of boats overstanding the port tack layline of the weather mark.

Full chutes were a common sight on this puffy, breezy day. Photo: Anie Larson

Among the 20 teams competing were sailors from California, Ohio, New York, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania -- as well as a strong showing from our SSA fleet. Local housing with fellow sailors was a big plus for many of the out-of-town teams, so Fleet 34 is grateful to the SSA members (Thistle and non-Thistle) who offered up housing for the visiting teams.

The regatta was won by Tom Lawton (Nyack Boat Club, NY) sailing with Kat and Ryan Harris who had 4 bullets Saturday. Second was John Baker (Seneca Yacht Club, NY) sailing with Joy Martin and Andrew Zuber. Third went to Chris Murphy (Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club, NJ) sailing with his nine-year-old son Nate and local Thistle National champion crew Jon Duffet, who were in a position to repeat their 2021 regatta victory until they capsized during one of the autogybe puffs just before reaching the leeward mark in race 7. Full results are posted on the SSA webpage.

Boats skippered by former US Sailing and TCA president, Tom Hubbell, and SSA member, Vince Yanelli, duking it out downwind. Photo: Anie Larson

Oysters roasting on a wood fire under the careful supervision of long-time roasters Doug Freeman, Rosemary Fotis, and Rick Mayers, with welcome help from LeAnn Myhre and others. Photo: Craig Priniski

Thistlers were happy to get back to shucking oysters after a two-year hiatus. The shells have been collected for oyster restoration. Photo: Craig Priniski

Racers and guests enjoyed continental breakfast each morning and the traditional Oysters and Appetizers Party on Saturday evening, with 700 oysters steamed over a wood fire or shucked raw. Barbecue dinner overlooking the Annapolis harbor followed. There were enough dinner leftovers to provide lunch after racing on Sunday.

Fleet 34, especially Cairn Krafft and Mary Pat McNulty, organized yet another memorable event, and have already starting planning for 2023.

Results