Cedar Point Yacht Club and Fleet 99 (The Westport Mafia) are pleased to host the 2009 Thistle National Championship from August 1-7, 2009. We have been working hard over the past several months to ensure the event is one you won’t soon forget. Our club has an outstanding history of running professional quality regattas, attracting sailors from all over the country. And if you know anything about the members of Fleet 99, we know how to have a good time. It is important to stress that we’ve made all arrangements for the regatta with the current economy’s status in mind. We’ve put together a fun-filled week that you, your family and friends can enjoy without breaking the bank. Here’s a little more about our club and what you can expect at Nationals ’09:

History:

Cedar Point Yacht Club was organized in 1887 by a group of local yachtsmen seeking to establish a local venue from which to test their sailing skills against each other and all challengers. This spirit of competition, on which the club was founded, remains its focus today. In 1966, thanks to the vision of a handful of club members, CPYC moved across the river to Bluff Point on Saugatuck Island, its current location. An ambitious project was undertaken to dredge a harbor basin and fill the swampy land to develop a beautiful property with stunning views across the Sound. The membership met the challenge and the result, which we still enjoy to today, is among the finest sailboat racing facilities in the country. Today CPYC’s primary focus is one design racing and hosts active fleets of Atlantics, Stars, Thistles, Lightnings, Flying Scots, Vanguard 15s, and Lasers.

Thistle Fleet 99 was organized and introduced to the club in the mid to late 1950s and by 1960 a full racing program was underway. Throughout its history, the fleet has produced many nationally competitive sailors, including 4 national champions. Today Fleet 99 is one of the most active in the country with several boats traveling to regattas and/or competing at the club every weekend. The Fleet’s camaraderie and love for the sport are parallel to that of the Thistle Class as a whole.

After all of our preparations, the only thing we’re lacking is a commitment from you. We’re hoping for one of the largest attended nationals in the past several years but that all depends on you hittin’ the road. So start planning now: write Charlie for housing options or book a hotel room early, start lining up your crew, find someone to double-deck with if you’ll be traveling a long distance, start brushing up on your bocce skills, convince other fleet members who are on the fence that it’s worth the trip, and most importantly dig out your favorite mafia outfit and your favorite party shirt because this is going to be one event you won’t want to miss.

See you all in Westport in August!