DN Gold Cup part 6
More from Sweden- Dideric was nice enough to let me use his shop, alignment jigs and shim tape to get my runners all true-ed up; see below
This is the stylish and well-groomed Dideric, in a nice restaurant with some disgusting American tourist.
The stairwell in the B&B. Scary but great to look at!
Sunrise on the Swedish highway
A typical Swedish rest stop. To American pot-heads and reggae fans (is that redundant?) this is a bit misleading… I’m sure some people were disappointed to learn that “Rasta” merely means “rest” in Swedish. Just as well, we have sailing to do!
We are headed to the site now, will set up later today and hopefully start races tomorrow. One way or another it will be an interesting week- will send reports as things develop- stay tuned!
Finally and most importantly many thanks to Dideric and Alex for hosting us and treating us better than family!
DN Gold Cup Road Trip Pt 5
Still on the road in Sweden- getting there is easily half the fun when you are rolling with Jorg Bohn and his amazing entourage…
We left Germany the other day- Some of us driving his Sprinter while he and Sean flew his plane to Denmark for service. We survived one traffic jam (a neat, orderly, efficient German traffic jam) and several shockingly fast left lane drivers. Jorg and Sean survived fog, a near-icing situation, a snack shortage, and a possibly dodgy aircraft to meet us at an airfield in Denmark.
With the plane handed off we all piled in the Sprinter and headed north….
…at the north end of Denmark you drive into the ferry to Sweden. Takes about 30 minutes or so. This is leaving Denmark behind.
This is approaching Sweden….
Camper trailers are popular here. I guess when you have one holiday after another you need to be able to do them right!
We stayed at Dideric Van Ramsdic’s place w he and his wife Alexandra. This is their living room- The house is beautiful, big and spacious. It was once a restaurant so the kitchen is massive. Alexandra converted another building into a yoga and Pilates studio. They operate another house on the property as a B&B. They are out in the country. It is quiet. I am selling my home in RI and moving in with them whether they like it or not.
Here is the B&B Website
https://www.appelgarden.eu/ Make a reservation if you want to see them and relax for a spell!
And if yoga is your thing you can do classes with Alexandra- see her site here:
https://www.yogawithalex.eu/
Of course their hospitality was off the chart- they had a big meal waiting for us (see Ron and Deb digging in above) and another highlight was watching 16mm films that were shot by Wim Van Acker dating back to 1930! If you like vintage Iceboat footage make a pilgrimage to see these!
More to follow….
DN worlds Part 4
Last but not least- in Bad Zwischenahn there’s an OLD restaurant called Der Spieker… great place, awesome food including the local specialty, smoked eel. You have to eat at least one for luck! So I did…. not bad!
They have a local spirit here that they drink in big spoonfuls and also use to wash the eel oil off your hands at the table!
DN Worlds Pt 3
This is at Torsten Siems’ house/warehouse in Bad Zwischenahn. This is where we assemble boats and get ready for the trip- his generosity is extraordinary and much appreciated!
IDNIYRA Secretary Deb Whitehorse and Montana photographer/videographer Sean Heavey having coffee in Torsten’s warehouse/shop
Ron Sherry loading gear for the trip north to Sweden
Your author and Torsten Siems. He is forcing a smile even though we are trashing his nice neat shop!
Jorg Bohn, host and all around amazing guy, loading gear into his giant Sprinter van…
His garage after we cleaned it out of all the DN gear. As you can see he loves bikes too!
The big Sprinter. I drive big boats for a living and helming this thing is not all that different….
DN Worlds Trip Pt 2
Some photos of yards and driveways. All nice and neat and orderly.
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This is the waste pile at a construction site. Even this is neat, orderly and well kept.
NEIYA IN EUROPE
Howdy All- just an update on the road to the DN World champs- Here’s the trip in photos so far:
Lufthansa flight from Boston. Don’t know why but I think the 747 is one of the coolest planes ever.
Flight very undercooked- nice to have a whole row of your own!
All of my gear safe and sound in Frankfurt. For what I paid they should have included a person to help haul it!
My rental car for the trip from Frankfurt to my host Jorg Bohn’s house in Oldenburg
A cool “stones in a cage” wall in Oldenburg
A local fave in Oldenburg- it’s a drink sold in pharmacies as a lineament for sick livestock. Last time I had a shot of this it was 2011 I think. I can still taste it!
More to come, stand by….
Sailing “Pocket Skeeters” on Winni – YouTube
Good vid from last weekend- take a look!
Ice Sailing In The Italian Alps….
….looks like this! Some interesting new perspectives and some great scenery here- click and enjoy!!
DN NE Sunday Schedule
Sunday AM- skippers meeting at launch at 930 sharp, first race to follow ASAP!
James “T” Thieler
12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler@yahoo.com
DN NE Saturday Dinner
Dinner at the NE champs will be at the Ellacoya Barn And Grill tonight (Saturday) starting at 6PM. Address is 2667 Lakeshore Rd, Gilford NH 03219
They are expecting quite a few of us and have pulled in some extra staff to take care of us so let’s be on our best behavior, say please and thank you, and tip well! Please no brawling and table throwing unless absolutely necessary.
I think they’ll be putting us in a big room upstairs so ask about that. Also, parking may be a little scarce being Saturday night and all so if you can carpool in please do!
See y’all there!
DN NE CHAMPS ARE ON FOR FEB 1-2 GOOD NEWS
Good news: The venue was sailed today by Chris Miller who says the plate is a Grade 8 out of 10, just a few leads to watch out for near the launch site but once beyond that it’s good sailing-
BE ADVISED that parking at the launch can get a little tight- please be sure to leave a path on land and on the ice for other sailors and especially ice fishermen to get their shacks and gear on and off the ice-
Sounds like we will have a good turnout- looking forward to seeing everyone and doing some good racing!
Here is the original blurb again:
OK Gang, it’s on….
DN New England Champs are ON. Sounds like Winni is in very good shape, wind forecast is light for Saturday but a little more promising for Sunday. That said, the ice looks smooth enough that we mail be able to race in very little breeze…
Launch will be out of Ellacoya State Park
280 Scenic Dr, Gilford, NH 03249
Lodging available at the Fireside Inn and Suites just a few minutes from the launch- ask for the iceboat group rate of $109 per night-
http://firesideinngilford.com/
Skippers Meeting Saturday AM at launch, 10:00 AM
First Race at 10:45 AM
Be sure to have your insurance with you!!! NO EXCEPTIONS
Regular iceboating rules apply- familiarize yourselves with them at
https://www.idniyra.org/racing/rules-safety/
NOTE- some iceboating Right Of Way rules differ from soft-water rules so read them closely-
IF three of any class show up and want to race they will get a start and races of their own- all welcome!
In the DN Class a Vintage / Classic trophy will be awarded to the boat and skipper that has a certain combo of age / wear and tear / battle scars / character / and results!
We are looking for volunteers to run and score races- earn some karma and volunteer!
If not no big deal, we can use the Maine system (Regatta Chair runs first race, from there on whoever wins a race gets to run and score the next one. Average points awarded for the races missed. I think. Will figure it out when the smart people get there)
Feel free to contact me with any questions or to let me know what I’ve forgotten-
Stay tuned to NEIYA site for details and updates!
Think ICE and LINE ‘EM UP!!
DN NEW ENGLAND CHAMPS ARE ON!
OK Gang, it’s on….
DN New England Champs are ON. Sounds like Winni is in very good shape, wind forecast is light for Saturday but a little more promising for Sunday. That said, the ice looks smooth enough that we mail be able to race in very little breeze…
Launch will be out of Ellacoya State Park
280 Scenic Dr, Gilford, NH 03249
Lodging available at the Fireside Inn and Suites just a few minutes from the launch- ask for the iceboat group rate of $109 per night-
http://firesideinngilford.com/
Skippers Meeting Saturday AM at launch, 10:00 AM
First Race at 10:45 AM
Be sure to have your insurance with you!!! NO EXCEPTIONS
Regular iceboating rules apply- familiarize yourselves with them at
https://www.idniyra.org/racing/rules-safety/
NOTE- some iceboating Right Of Way rules differ from soft-water rules so read them closely-
IF three of any class show up and want to race they will get a start and races of their own- all welcome!
In the DN Class a Vintage / Classic trophy will be awarded to the boat and skipper that has a certain combo of age / wear and tear / battle scars / character / and results!
We are looking for volunteers to run and score races- earn some karma and volunteer!
If not no big deal, we can use the Maine system (Regatta Chair runs first race, from there on whoever wins a race gets to run and score the next one. Average points awarded for the races missed. I think. Will figure it out when the smart people get there)
Feel free to contact me with any questions or to let me know what I’ve forgotten-
Stay tuned to NEIYA site for details and updates!
Think ICE and LINE ‘EM UP!!
Regatta ON This Weekend
Hey Gang- Race Chair Mr T here, calling on a Regatta (Let’s say the New England Champs) for this weekend-
Looks like Winnipesaukee is the best option- big, centrally located, has been sailed, places to launch…. Will have more details soon-
In the meantime plan on loading up and heading up (or down, depending on where you are)
Make sure you have valid insurance etc- IF three or more boats of any class show up we will give you a start and races of your own-
The very subjective and almost arbitrary Classic/Vintage Division prize will also be awarded to the pilot sailing the boat that is oldest / most beaten up / has most character / or some certain je ne sais quoi that will be decided on the spot. So even if you don’t have a bleeding-edge high tech boat plan on showing up anyway!
ALSO if anyone is interested in helping out with RC/Scoring duties let me know!
James T Thieler, RC Chair (the guy with the marks and scoring clipboard)
Dammy Is ON
From the CIBC site- could be good for the weekend! Also rumors afoot that Winni may be a possibility as well…. As always proceed with caution and use your head. Never sail alone!
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Sailing Anarchy Front Page
Check out our own Karen Binder on the front page of Sailing Anarchy- Great shot!
https://sailinganarchy.com/2020/01/28/moving-to-montana-2/
Lots more photos of her and all the other boats and scenes here
https://www.seanrheavey.com/2020_indiya_north_american_championship?fbclid=IwAR2mksRnI_cy9GZJyHwAH3IjRhm8O8Mg-Hga9_PTyhXp3POaeBUPNPujj-A
DN NA Champs Photos
Very well done photos from the Montana Extravaganza- click and take a look!
https://www.seanrheavey.com/2020_indiya_north_american_championship
Top East Coastahs
Atkins, Thieler and Anderson- tired but psyched!
2020 DN North American Champs
The DN North Americans are in the books! As always, it was an adventure but this one was out there; literally.
The big weather was difficult- finding a lake was nearly impossible but Tim Ogrinc scouted his home lake of Fort Peck, Montana in some bitterly cold temps, sent a good report to regatta chairman Dan Hearn, and the show was on!
It was a long trip for a lot of people but well worth it- the scenery out there is extraordinary and the sailing was good too-
Day one saw good breeze and soft ice with patches of snow. Resisting the urge to sheet in too hard and point too high upwind paid dividends and using 95 or 100 degree runners and a full sail seemed to work for the top sailors. Aggressively steering around the snow patches and working the mainsheet in the puffs was essential. It made for exciting sailing and a great workout!
At the end of the day in Gold Fleet Chad Atkins was in the lead with T Thieler in second and Ron Sherry in third. Only the Gold Qualifier race was run on day one for the Silver fleet so there was everything to play for on the next race day…
Warren Nethercoate of Halifax NS won the Gold qualifier with RI rookie Karen Binder hot on his heels in second. Well done!
Two days of no wind tested the fleet’s patience and nerves and finally the breeze filled in on Saturday. Cold temps had solidified the snow drifts and made for wild, rodeo style sailing! It was fast, furious and down to the wire…. Avoiding the big bumps and rough ice was key, almost as important as staying in the boat and keeping the boat in one piece! Thieler took the first race, Ron Sherry took the second and the committee wisely called racing off as the wind was building to unsafe speeds-
The math was tough (for iceboaters anyway) as the scores were close but when the tabulation was done for the Gold Fleet it was Atkins in 3rd w 11 points, Sherry in 2nd with 10, and Thieler hanging on by the skin of his teeth to take 1st with 9.
In Gold the Eastern Region put in a good showing ith four sailors in the top ten- Thieler in 1st, Atkins in 3rd, Eric Anderson in 9th and Peter Van Rossem in 10th. Well done!
In the silver fleet Bill Bucholz was top easterner in 5th, Mike Webber was next eastern sailor in 7th, Charlie Blair made a great return to the hard water world with a 10th, and Colin Duncan in 11th. Well done gang!
Thanks as always to the RC, the scorers, all the support personnel, and the competitors for making the trip!
As I said, it was memorable for all the right reasons. (I’ve already forgotten about the rain squall that turned the launch area into a mud pit just in time for the load-out). Great scenery, great racing, great group!
Results here:
http://dniceboat.org/2020/na.html
Look here for Day One and Two drone footage- you’ll be glad you did!
https://www.idniyra.org/
20Twenty DN North American Video from Day 1 – DN North America
Some cool Montana drone vid from yesterday- Click and have a look!
https://www.idniyra.org/2020/01/23/20twenty-dn-north-american-video-from-day-1/
Big Sky, Big Grin
They call this Big Sky country and that’s no exaggeration- Really something to behold. Of course the picture doesn’t do it justice but you get the idea-
And we see Atkins, grinning like a guy leading the regatta- which he is!
Stay tuned…
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Sailwave results for IDNIYRA 2020 NORTH AMERICAN DN CHAMPIONSHIP at Fort Peck Lake, Fort Peck, Montana 2020
Here it is so far- New England representing well w Atkins in the lead, Thieler in second, Anderson almost top ten, and Binder the rookie in the Gold Fleet!
Breeze and challenging ice made for great racing-
Check results here and stay tuned!
Race Day
Heading to the launch for 2020 NA day one….
Action photo from the van. Emotions ranging from nervous to excited to marveling at scenery….
Bit of breeze, bit of snow, should be an interesting day…. stay tuned!
Hope you all get some miles on the big new ice out East!
Toledo Plants The Flag
Hard to say who got here first after the Great Migration to the NA champs- BUT Jodi, Peter and Trey were the first to plant the flag at the launch site- not a bad Neal Armstrong impersonation!
As Trey paraphrased JFK at breakfast: “We choose to go to Montana not because it is easy, but because it is hard!”
Cool Photo
This is from Peter Van Rossem and Colin Duncan, somewhere in Montana… look at the shadow and look in the rear view…. nice….
New England Ice Yacht Association 