Thistle sailboat championships

Sixty Thistles, a popular sailboat that has been built since World War II, were brought to Sandpoint, Idaho for the week of July 22 to participate in the Thistle Association national championships on Lake Pend Oreille.

Section:Gallery

Sat., July 27, 2019

Members of the race committee at the Thistle National Championships assess the wind direction before races start on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Some of the 60 or so Thistle-class boats at the Thistle National Championshipsbide their time sailing back and forth before races begin on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Grant Gridley, Conrad Miller and Jack Holbrook, foreground, the crew of a Thistle-class boat at the Thistle National Championships, turn downwind on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Some of the 60 or so Thistle-class boats at the Thistle National Championships return to the marina in Sandpoint after races on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Steve Burke and Shawn Burke, right, maneuver close as the Thistle-class boats of the Thistle National Championships beat to windward on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, but some teams only have two. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
The crews of Thistle-class boats at the Thistle National Championships begin to put up spinnakers after turning downwind on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, but some teams only have two. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
THe crews of Thistle-class boats at the Thistle National Championships put up spinnakers after turning downwind on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, but some teams only have two. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Rachel Shaw, Peter Hudson and David Hudson, the crew of a Thistle-class boat at the Thistle National Championships tack to windward on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Tony Blackner, right, and friends Jerry Young, left, and Oliver Scutt, all from the Seattle area, second from left, pack up their Thistle-class boat after races at the Thistle National Championshipsin Sandpoint Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
More than 60 boats attending the Thistle National Championships on Lake Pend Oreille are lined up at the beach Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Boats at the Thistle National Championships race on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Some of the 60 Thistle-class boats at the Thistle National Championships race on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Toby Ingrey, Lisa Wilson and George Biery, the crew of a Thistle-class boat at the Thistle National Championships, rounds the leeward marker and turns upwind on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Ted Lischer, center, looks back another Thistle-class boat at the Thistle National Championships after rounding the windward marker on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Katia Kitchin, Brian Kitchin and Doug Kitchin, the crew of a Thistle-class boat at the Thistle National Championships, tack to windward on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
ARound 60 Thistle-class boats at the Thistle National Championships jockey for position before the start of a race on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, but some teams only have two. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
More than 60 boats attending the Thistle National Championships on Lake Pend Oreille are lined up at the beach Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Crews of Thistle-class boats at the Thistle National Championships bunch up after turning around the windward marker on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Grant Gridley, Conrad Miller and Jack Holbrook, the crew of a Thistle-class boat flying number 3442, launch a spinnaker at the Thistle National Championships on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Taylor Joosten, the front crew on a Thistle-class boat, with David and JD Reddaway, puts up the spinnaker at the Thistle National Championships, tack on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
A group of Thistle-class boats bunch together after rounding the windward marker at the Thistle National Championships on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Crews of Thistle-class boats at the Thistle National Championships turn downwind and begin plowing through the chop on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Crews of Thistle-class boats turn downwind and prepare to put up spinnakers at the Thistle National Championships on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Neal Freeland, Brooke Stabbert and Julie Irwin, the crew of a Thistle-class boat at the Thistle National Championships, launch a spinnaker during a race on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Koug Kaukeinen, Dan Hesse and Marguerite Koehler, the crew of a Thistle-class boat blown over at the Thistle National Championships, stand on the centerboard and attempt to right the craft during a race on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
THe crews of Thistle-class boats at the Thistle National Championships begin to put up spinnakers after turning downwind on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, but some teams only have two. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
The crews of Thistle-class boats at the Thistle National Championships bunch together after the first windward turn and begin to put up spinnakers after turning downwind on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Crews in Thistle-class boats compete at the Thistle National Championships on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Crews in Thistle-class boats at the Thistle National Championships, round the windward marker and head downwind on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
The crew of a Thistle-class boat at the Thistle National Championships prepares to launch a spinnaker on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
The crew of a Thistle-class boat at the Thistle National Championships bails out their boat after capsizing on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Colorful spinnakers pull the boats downwind at the Thistle National Championships on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
The crew of a Thistle-class boat at the Thistle National Championships celebrates after finishing a race on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
The crew of a Thistle-class boat at the Thistle National Championships hikes out to balance their craft during a race on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Dan Fien, Tanya Cuprak and Samuel Ingham, the crew of a Thistle-class boat at the Thistle National Championships hike out the balance their craft during a race on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Lloyd Kitchin, Matt Kreuzkamp and Alexa Kitchin, the crew of Thistle-class boat #4040 at the Thistle National Championships, maneuvers in tight quarters with boats during a race on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Grant Gridley, Conrad Miller and Jack Holbrook, the crew of a Thistle-class at left at the Thistle National Championships maneuver to windward on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Greg Griffin, Mark Reddaway and Amy Thompson, the crew of a Thistle-class boat at the Thistle National Championships, celebrate after finishing a race on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Crews of Thistle-class boats at the Thistle National Championships sail on a breeze freshened overnight storms on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
More than 60 boats attending the Thistle National Championships on Lake Pend Oreille are lined up at the beach Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Spinnakers lead the Thistle-class boats at the Thistle National Championships on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review
Some of the 60 or so Thistle-class boats at the Thistle National Championships return to the marina at Sandpoint on Lake Pend Oreille Wednesday, July 24, 2019. Thistle owners from around the nation have gathering in Sandpoint, Idaho for a week of races to decide the national championships. The boat is general sailed by a group of three people, often by family members and longtime friends. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review