NEWS

July 24, 2021

Hello, Nationals racers! A few reminders as you make your final approach to Cleveland:

• Arrival: When you arrive at the club, we’ll provide you with a packet including your drysail spot number, measurement forms, waiver forms, mast boot/parking pass and instructions to guide you through the measurement and registration process.
• Parking: Due to limited parking availability, only one car per team will be permitted on the island. Your mast boot serves as your vehicle parking pass; please display it on your dashboard. Overflow parking is available at World Shipping (1340 Depot St., Rocky River), and we’re running a shuttle van between there and the club, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Guest membership will enable you to purchase food and beverages from CYC bars and club facilities. Besides the Saturday dinner (available near the regatta tents), cash purchases will not be available. To obtain your guest membership card, bring your driver’s license and credit card and complete the form at the registration desk.
• Junior and Women’s Nationals: Is your boat racing these events? Please register in advance at the separate Yacht Scoring site. Boats competing in Junior and Women’s Nationals will take priority during measurement on Friday evening / Saturday morning.
• Event communications: In addition to messages on the official notice board, we’ll continue sending email updates via Yacht Scoring. We will NOT be sending text updates. To ensure your crew receives email updates, go to Yacht Scoring] > Owner’s Corner > My Crew List > Add New Crew.
• Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta: Our green efforts include paperless sailing instructions, reusable beverage containers and the Sea Bags Sail Drive. For each sail you donate, you’ll receive a ticket for the Sail Drive raffle and a chance to win prizes such as a compass, Sea Bags wristlet and more.  Bring your old sails that you no longer use so they can be repurposed!!
• Scope out the club: From the playground to the pool bar, the Cleveland Yachting Club is a full-featured facility with a lot to offer sailors and guests. Check out the venue!

As always, feel free to contact us at ThistleNationals2021@gmail.com with any questions. See you soon!

—Fred Hunger, Regatta Chairman

July 17, 2021

Hello, Nationals racers! With less than two weeks until the celebration begins, here are the latest regatta updates and reminders.

• Registration
  • Waivers: If you haven’t already, skippers must sign the waiver form at Yacht Scoring > Owner’s Corner. Crew will sign waivers at registration.

• • Add your crew: We need names of all crewmembers (this will also ensure your crew receives updates via email and text). Go to Yacht Scoring > Owner’s Corner > My Crew List > Add New Crew.
  • Medical form: Have a medical condition you want our medical team to know about? Fill out the voluntary medical form at Yacht Scoring > Documents and Forms. Please print the completed form and bring to registration.

• • Junior and Women’s Nationals: Is your boat racing these events? Please register in advance at the separate Yacht Scoring site. Boats competing in Junior and Women’s Nationals will take priority during measurement on Friday evening / Saturday morning

• • Boxed lunches: Don’t forget to order boxed lunches before the Friday, July 23 deadline. It’s an all-or-nothing package, Monday through Friday, $6 per lunch. To see what meals you’ve already paid for and to order your lunches, go to Yacht Scoring > Owner’s Corner > Payments & Purchases. Select “Additional Purchases/Payments” to order more.

• Regatta swag: Place your pre-order with Pirates Lair by Sunday, July 18 (tomorrow!) to take delivery (free of charge) at registration. They’ll also ship to your address, and we’ll be selling select items on site. 
• 75 years of Thistle memories: Submit your stories and photos via our guest book, and we’ll feature them on the Jumbotron during the regatta.
• TracTrac by World Group: We’re offering live race tracking via TracTrac for the Championship fleet. Fans back home can follow the racing LIVE, and you can relive the triumphs and pitfalls when we replay the races at the regatta parties!
• Notice of Party: From kilts and Western style to Caribbean cool and banquet attire, the 75^th presents several excellent fashion opportunities. Check out the NOP and assemble your wardrobe for the week!

• Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta: Our green efforts include paperless sailing instructions, reusable beverage containers and the Sea Bags Sail Drive. For each sail you donate, you’ll receive a ticket for the Sail Drive raffle and a chance to win prizes such as a compass, Sea Bags wristlet and more.
• Win Thistle #4075: Buy your raffle ticket for a chance to win the 75th Anniversary Commemorative Thistle! 

As always, feel free to contact us at ThistleNationals2021@gmail.com with any questions. See you soon!

—Fred Hunger, Regatta Chairman

July 12, 2021

Hello, Nationals racers! Here’s the latest:

• COVID-19 policy update: While we encourage all participants to arrive fully vaccinated, in light of revised CDC and state guidelines, we will NOT require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. See amendment to section 4.2 of the NOR: https://yachtscoring.com/event_documents/11757/2021_TCA_Nationals_NOR_Amendment_2.pdf
• Boxed lunches: We have a new option for you to order boxed lunches for daily pick up. It’s an all-or-nothing package, Monday through Friday, $6 per lunch. Please note, the deadline to order boxed lunches is Friday, July 23. To see what meals you’ve already paid for and to order your lunches, go to Yacht Scoring > Owner’s Corner > Payments & Purchases. Select “Additional Purchases/Payments” to order more. https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=11757
• TracTrac by World Group: Thanks to our sponsor World Group, we’re pleased to offer live race tracking via TracTrac for the Championship fleet. Fans back home can follow the racing LIVE, and you can relive the triumphs and pitfalls when we replay the races at the regatta parties! ThistleNationals2021.com/tractrac
• Regatta swag: Place your pre-order with Pirates Lair by Sunday, July 18 to take delivery (free of charge) at registration. They’ll also ship to your address, and we’ll be selling select items on site. Store.PiratesLair.com/Thistle-Nationals-2021
• Notice of Party: From the Saturday-night bash with Mo’ Mojo to the rum-soaked Caribbean pool party on Wednesday, get ready for tons of off-the-water fun. ThistleNationals2021.com/schedule

• Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta: In an effort to reduce paper waste, we will not be distributing hard copies of the sailing instructions. Printed copies will be available only upon request at the registration desk. Also, don’t forget to bring used sails for the Sea Bags Sail Drive. For each sail you donate, you’ll receive a ticket for the Sail Drive raffle and a chance to win prizes such as a compass, Sea Bag wristlet, and more. com/Sailors-for-the-Sea-Clean-Regatta

• Share your Thistle memories: Submit your stories and photos via our guest book, and we’ll feature them on the Jumbotron during the regatta. Thanks to Carol Kitchen for getting the ball rolling with some vintage snapshots! ThistleNationals2021.com/Guestbook

• Win Thistle #4075: You might win a trophy at the banquet this year, but what if you could win a boat? You might be the lucky winner when the TCA raffles off #4075, the 75th Anniversary Commemorative Thistle! Tickets are $150 each, and there are fewer than 80 left. Buy your tickets at https://www.thistleclass.com/75th-commemorative-thistle-raffle?utm_source=yachtscoring&utm_medium=email [thistleclass.com]. 

• Add your crew: To ensure your crewmembers receive these updates — as well as the text alerts we’ll be sending during the regatta — add their contact info to your Yacht Scoring account. Log in, go to “Owner’s Corner,” then to “My Crew List,” and in the top right corner click on “Add New Crew.”

As always, feel free to contact us at ThistleNationals2021@gmail.com with any questions. For those of your sailing Great Lakes at North Cape, good luck!

—Fred Hunger, Regatta Chairman

July 4, 2021

Happy Independence Day, Nationals racers! With less than a month before we kick off the 2021 Thistle National Championship presented by KeyBank, here are a few updates:

• Regatta merchandise is now available for pre-order via Pirates Lair. Place your order by Sunday, July 18 to take delivery (free of charge) at registration. They’ll also ship to your address, and we’ll be selling select items on site. Store.PiratesLair.com/Thistle-Nationals-2021
• Check out the Notice of Party! From opening ceremonies to Bubble Soccer to the Caribbean pool party, find details about all the off-the-water fun in store (and start planning out your outfits for the week)! ThistleNationals2021.com/schedule
• As part of the Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta effort, we’ll be collecting your old sails for Sea Bags to repurpose. For each sail donated, you’ll receive a ticket for the Sea Bags Sail Drive raffle. And don’t forget to bring those reusable beverage containers. Learn more at ThistleNationals2021.com/Sailors-for-the-Sea-Clean-Regatta
• Share your Thistle memories! As we celebrate the class’s 75^th anniversary, we invite all Thistlers, past and present, to share a few fond memories in our guest book. We’ll feature your posts on the “Jumbotron” during the event. Submit your stories and photos at ThistleNationals2021.com/Guestbook
• Interested in day camp / childcare? Please contact Charlotte Patrick (charlottebpatrick@gmail.com) before Saturday, July 10. Find program details at ThistleNationals2021.com/Day-Camp
• To ensure your crewmembers receive these updates — as well as the text alerts we’ll be sending during the regatta — add their contact info to your Yacht Scoring account. Log in, go to “Owner’s Corner,” then to “My Crew List,” and in the top right corner click on “Add New Crew.”

Questions? Please contact us at ThistleNationals2021@gmail.com. Have a great Fourth of July, and we’ll see you soon in Cleveland!

—Fred Hunger, Regatta Chairman

June 6, 2021

Hello, skippers! It was great to see so many of you at Lake Erie Districts in Cleveland this weekend. Thanks to our friends at Edgewater Yacht Club for putting on a fantastic event. As we look ahead to the 2021 Thistle National Championship presented by KeyBank, here are a few updates:

• To ensure your crewmembers receive these updates as well as the text alerts we’ll be sending during the regatta, add their contact info to your Yacht Scoring account. Log in, go to “Owner’s Corner,” then to “My Crew List,” and in the top right corner click on “Add New Crew.”
• Interested in day camp / childcare? Please contact Charlotte Patrick (charlottebpatrick@gmail.com) before Saturday, July 10. Find program details at ThistleNationals2021.com/Day-Camp
• We’ll have regatta merchandise available for pre-order soon, and we’ll also be selling select items on site. Stay tuned for details!
• Remember to bring water bottles and other reusable items to help the Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta effort. Learn more at ThistleNationals2021.com/Sailors-for-the-Sea-Clean-Regatta
• One of the week’s highlights is sure to be the kick-off bash on Saturday, July 31 featuring Mo’ Mojo, a hard driving, high energy, “Party-Gras” band. They take Zydeco music and infuse it with Americana, Cajun, reggae, rock & roll, funk, R&B and African and Latin rhythms. It’ll be a total blast. See the full party schedule at ThistleNationals2021.com/schedule!

Questions? Please contact us at ThistleNationals2021@gmail.com. Can’t wait to see you all in Cleveland!

—Fred Hunger, Regatta Chairman

May 21, 2021

2021 Thistle National Championship presented by KeyBank update: It’s go time!

Hello, skippers. As you know, we’ve been working with the Thistle class and the Cleveland Yachting Club to make the go / no-go decision regarding the 2021 Thistle National Championship presented by KeyBank. Today, we’re excited to announce that it’s a go! We can’t wait to welcome you to Rocky River, Ohio, July 31 – August 6, to celebrate the class’s 75^th anniversary.

A few updates:

• We’ve amended the Covid-19 policy. Participants will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result dated within 48 hours prior to arrival. For details, please see the section 4 (eligibility and entry) of the updated Notice of Race on the Yacht Scoring site.
• For those interested in day camp / childcare, please connect with Charlotte Patrick. For more info: ThistleNationals2021.com/Day-Camp
• In order to be as environmentally friendly as possible, we’re planning to conduct Nationals as a Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta. We’re encouraging participants to bring their own water bottles and help with other sustainability efforts. Learn more at ThistleNationals2021.com/Sailors-for-the-Sea-Clean-Regatta
• Looking for fun things to do in Cleveland? Want to know more about the venue? Ready for some tuning tips from the Roundstone Roundtable webinar series? Find it all on ThistleNationals2021.com!

As we count down to July, we’ll keep you informed via emails like this and at ThistleNationals2021.com In the meantime, you can reach us at ThistleNationals2021@gmail.com. Can’t wait to see you this summer!

—Fred Hunger, Regatta Chairman

April 25, 2021

Hello, skippers! 

We’ve updated the Notice of Race for the 2021 Thistle National Championship on the Yacht Scoring site. Changes include:

• Updated section 4 (eligibility and entry) with information about Covid-19 vaccination requirements
• Updated section 5 (fees) with information about the May 1, 2021 payment deadline

Questions about these updates or anything else? Please contact us at thistlenationals2021@gmail.com.

Looking forward to seeing you all in Cleveland this summer!

Mike Lovett

April 3, 2021

Hello, Thistlers! We’re almost there! As of early April, the pandemic situation continues to improve across the United States, and we’re increasingly optimistic that we’ll be able to host the 2021 Thistle National Championship presented by KeyBank in a safe, responsible, and fun way. We’re looking forward to celebrating the class’s 75th anniversary with you at the Cleveland Yachting Club, July 31 – August 6.

We’re working with the class and the club to make the go / no-go decision by June 1, taking state regulations, vaccine availability and other factors into consideration. A few notes:

• We’ll require attendees to show proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 tests.
• We’ve secured discounted rates at local hotels. For more info: ThistleNationals2021.com/Hotels-and-Housing
• Interested in day camp / childcare? Please let us know. For more info: ThistleNationals2021.com/Day-Camp
• Registration payment is due May 1. If you’re registered and decide to cancel, please do so ASAP so we can fill your slot from the waiting list.
• We’re planning to conduct Nationals as a Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta. Stay tuned for details on how you can help support this effort.

We’ll continue to keep you informed at ThistleNationals2021.com and via direct emails to registered and wait-listed skippers. In the meantime, you can reach us at ThistleNationals2021@gmail.com. Stay safe, stay tuned, and we hope to see you this summer!

—Fred Hunger, Regatta Chairman

February 7, 2021

Preparations are in full swing for the 2021 Thistle National Championship, presented by KeyBank, taking place July 31 – August 6 at the Cleveland Yachting Club in Rocky River, Ohio.

With optimism that, come summertime, the pandemic situation will have improved to a point where we can host the event in a safe and responsible manner, CYC’s Thistle Fleet No. 1 is planning a fun, festive regatta befitting the 75^th anniversary of the class.

As Thistle class president Tom Hubbell notes below, we’ll work with the class and the club to make the go / no-go decision by June 1, taking state regulations, vaccine availability and other factors into consideration. A few updates as we adjust plans for the regatta:

• We’re determining social distancing and COVID-19 safety measures, and we’ll likely require attendees to show proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 tests.
• Housing availability will be limited. We have secured discounted rates at local hotels.
• Day camp / childcare: We’re considering a pod-based system to limit exposure between campers.
• Registration, wait list, cancellations: See notes from Tom Hubbell and John Howell below. If you’re registered and decide to cancel, please do so ASAP so we can fill your slot from the waiting list.

We’ll continue to share updates as the event approaches and plans evolve. In the meantime, you can reach us at ThistleNationals2021@gmail.com. Stay safe, and with a little luck, we’ll see you this summer!

—Fred Hunger, Regatta Chairman

Update from Tom Hubbell, president, Thistle class (from Bagpipe, March/April 2021)

The outlook for Nationals is becoming positive. Key points:

• CYC and the TCA are planning to make the regatta happen. 
• If we must cancel, we will do that by June 1, if possible.
• If you were qualified and registered for 2020, you are still qualified and registered for 2021.  We understand that there have been no qualifying or chevron events since last March.
• A paid registration is a completed registration; deadline May 1
• If you are registered but decide not to go, please cancel right away so others can take your place.
• The registration list is full, but you can get on the wait list for a possible opening.  There are 125 boats (the hard cutoff #) registered and about 20 on the wait list.
• We are considering requiring every participant to have proof of completed vaccine series OR a negative COVID test just prior to arrival, and/or daily temperature checks.  Stay tuned for a decision on that in the spring.

Update from John Howell, first vice president, Thistle class (from Bagpipe, March/April 2021)

After nearly a year of COVID claustrophobia, we are hopeful that things will improve enough to hold the Nationals at Cleveland Yachting Club in 2021. As planning is well underway, we are working issues regarding qualifications… the Executive Committee is recommending to the Governing Board that we use the same qualification standards for 2021 that we used in 2020. Please be aware that some of the qualification standards cited below will require approval of the Governing Board. We are also working with the organizing committee to ensure that the registration list, wait list, and cancellation policies are all clearly understood.

Qualification for 2021 Nationals:

• You must be registered for 2020 or 2021 Nationals, paid your TCA dues, and have a properly registered boat.
• Proposed Changes to the Bylaws, pending approval of the Governing Board:
  • a. Bylaws Article II -MEMBERSHIP, ELIGIBILITY, DUES AND FEES, Paragraph 3 is amended to allow Junior members to qualify for Nationals by skippering in the 2021 Junior or Women’s National Championship.
  • b. Bylaws Article XIII – THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Paragraph 8. Eligibility, section (e) (3)(aa) is replaced with the following:
    • (aa) Non quota year:
      • (i) Sail as skipper-helmsperson in at least one chevron event: MWW, MWE, or an Interdistrict Championship in 2019, 2020, 2021, or
      • (ii) Sail as skipper-helmsperson in two other regattas or sail three fleet race days in 2019 or 2020, or 2021 and,
      • (iii) Notify the District Governor and petition the First Vice President in writing that items 3(aa)(i) or (ii) have been accomplished, noting the qualifying events.

Qualified Skippers and waitlisted Skippers from 2020:

The registration list from 2020 is still in effect. If you qualified, registered, and paid your registration fees for 2020 Nationals, you are still on the list as a qualified registrant. If you were put on the waitlist for 2020, you are still on the 2021 waitlist, in the same position.

Registration fees for all qualified skippers must be paid by May 1, 2021. If you paid your fees last year and did not request a refund, you are all set and do not have to make any further payments. If you paid your fees last year but DID receive a refund, then you MUST pay your registration fees by May 1, 2021 or your name will be dropped from the list of qualified skippers and your slot will be given to the next boat from the waitlist. This is the skipper’s responsibility. The organizing committee will not be sending out invoices or notices. Waitlisted skippers do not have to pay their registration fee until they clear the waitlist. Once they have cleared the waitlist, they must pay their fees withing 5 calendar days, or they will lose their slot.

Cancellations:

If you are a registered skipper and determine that you will not be able to make the 2021 Nationals, please cancel as early as possible.  If you cancel before June 15th, 2021, you will receive a full refund (less PayPal fees).  If you cancel after June 15th 2021, you will only receive 80% of your registration fee if we cannot fill the slot.  

Where to direct your questions:

Please direct all questions regarding qualifications to TCA First VP, John Howell.  All contact information is listed on page 4 of the Bagpipe. 

All skippers who are 26 or under and plan to sail 2021 Nationals, and who want TCA support for registration fees must reach out to the TCA Third VP for Growth and Promotion (Alison Gillum) as soon as possible to request this support. You must notify her in writing that you are 26 or under, have registered for Nationals and would like TCA assistance with registration fees.

Other questions about registrations and waitlist should be directed to Fred Hunger.

We are all excited about our 75th Nationals this year. Please make your plans early. Housing may be a challenge as many of the VRBO July and hotels are imposing restrictive cancellation policies. We look forward to seeing you and celebrating with you in Cleveland.