DN Easterns Insurance Correction
Minor correction: only $300k liability insurance is needed.
PROOF OF INSURANCE MUST BE PROVIDED AT REGISTRATION.
Stay tuned….
DN EASTERNS UPDATE
Hey Folks-
Looks like we are going to give the Eastern Regional DN champs a shot this weekend-
Preliminary reports from our scouts on Winnipesaukee Lake are good; Paul Chamberland and I are planning to sail off Ellacoya State Park in Gilford, NH tomorrow morning to verify.
We are cautiously optimistic!
Stay tuned for final details.
Registration will be on-site; competitors must have $500K personal liability insurance and a thorough knowledge of the ice racing rules.
Keep your fingers crossed and stay tuned.
Think ICE!
EASTERN DN CHAMPS THIS WEEKEND!
Hey Gang-
Be advised we are itching to host the Eastern Region DN Champs this weekend.
Location to be finalized but NH, ME and NY are all possibilities.
Keep an eye on this site for details!
Load ‘em up….
T. DN US 5224
Lake Sunapee, Sunday Jan 12 2025
It was a good day on Sunapee yesterday.
At least 20 boats launched out of the Sunapee State Beach; several boats went cruising and a bunch of DNs headed to the bay west of Great Island for a day of scratch racing.
Light wind at the launch was misleading as there was plenty of breeze around the rest of the lake, making it effortless to glide through the 1/2” or 1” inch of snow.
The cruising crowd racked up the miles while the DN crowd set marks and rattled off about 8-10 scratch races. A good day all around!
Will see how everything holds up during the week. Thanks to everyone who scouted and reported on the conditions!
Scratch Racing Tomorrow
Hey Folks-
For anyone interested we I’ll be setting up some marks off of the State Beach at Sunapee tomorrow, scratch racing all day weather permitting.
Come one come all!
T
Canadian DN Champs Info
Hey Gang-
Sound like things are on for north of the border this weekend; Click the link for details and contact Pete VanRossem to fill in any blanks.
BE ADVISED YOU’LL NEED $1,000,000 LIABILITY INSURANCE rather than the usual $500K. Take a close look at your policy or call your agent. I bumped mine from $500K to $1mil and it was only a $9 increase in my premium so hopefully that bodes well for everyone….
Lodging available in Napanee: Hampton Inn $129.00 + tax… use code DN ICEBOAT CHAMPS
Comfort Inn $112.00 + tax
use code Mary Beth
The forecast calls for light breeze so easy on dinner and skip dessert!
Final Confirmation: 2025 Canadian Championship Called ON for Jan 11 – 12 – DN North America
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CANADIAN DN CHAMPS THIS WEEKEND!
Hey Gang-
Looks like the Canadian contingent are geared up to hold a regatta this weekend; Good chance to tune up against a strong fleet!
Break out those passports and load up.
They don’t have a website but this is via their GoogleGroup mailing list:
The DN Canadian Championships are tentatively scheduled for this January 11-12, 2025
All details NOR and Sailing Instructions, Site and Launch location and lodging will be posted by noon this Thursday at 1200 EST
Prime location will be either Trenton, Ontario Canada or Hay Bay Napanee.
All communication for the regatta will be through Kingston Iceboating Google Group so if you know someone who would like to participate, please let them know to join this group for info.
Any questions can be sent to me, Peter Van Rossem CAN 2766
John Curtis CAN 5514
Stay tuned to this site for more details!
Pushaw Lake
Great sailing on a Pushaw Lake in Orono ME today; high quality ice and decent breeze. What else can one ask for?
Launched from Gould Landing, sailed western side of the lake between Dollar Island and Lucky Landing. Hazards had been reported aroubd Dollar Island and elsewhere so we avoided that whole area.
Three DNs and two Whizzes racked up a bunch of scratch races on ice that was an easy 9 out of 10.
First day on the ice all year; I’m regretting every day I skipped the gym over the last few months! Other than that it was a blast. Hope the ice lasts for awhile. Stay tuned….
In other news there will likely be a regatta somewhere in the east this weekend; Maybe Canadian champs, maybe an eastern regatta. Stay tuned for details….
In the meantime get your gear ready and Think Ice!
T Thieler
DN 5224
Runner Tracks Newsletter September 2024 – DN North America
Hey Folks- The latest issue of Runner Tracks is out and as always it is a winner- Give it a read and get back to work on your gear!
https://www.idniyra.org/runner-tracks-newsletter-september-2024/
James “T” Thieler
NEW SAILS??
Hey Gang-
Ullman Sails in Detroit is having a fall sale; 20% if you order new sails before October 31st!
Replace those tired rags with some crispy new sails and save a few bucks in the process!
Contact the loft and see what they can do for you.
Ullman Sails Fall Discount Specials (mailchi.mp)
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Sail On Mike Madge
Sad to send this along…. Mike was a tireless supporter of the DN class with his tuning videos and interviews. His enthusiasm for the sport was off the chart.
He also had the distinction of being the first person in the world to sail an iceboat in the late fall several times; The first ice on the planet was often in his backyard and he certainly took advantage of it! We were all always happy for him and also not-so-secretly jealous….
Sail on Mike; Early ice and good breeze to ya!
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DN International Rank List Is Out!
Hey Gang- The big list is out! Eastern sailors representing well in the top ten with Chad Atkins climbing up to 2nd, T Thieler clinging to 3rd, and the Canadians coming along with Robin Lagraviere in 4th, Jacek Marzenski in 6th, Pete Van Rossem in 7th, John Curtis in 8th.
Click and take a look! Hope it will inspire everyone to ge the gear out and make some time for the shop and the gym!
2025 International Rank List Published – DN North America (idniyra.org)
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DN
Stan Macur, Fair Winds….
The article says it all… Personally I will always remember the sound of his horn calling the fleets to the line….
Even more personal was a time when I mistakenly thought my fleet was being called to the line and I was still fiddling with my boat in the pits; I was looking at the wrong flag but didn’t realize it. I frantically, and I mean FRANTICALLY, finished up my little task and started pushing my boat straight upwind to the line, sprinting like Usain Bolt only much slower and still wearing my Carhartt suit.
When I got to the line I realized the Silver Fleet was going up; that explained the other boat in my spot on the line. With much relief I sat down to catch my breath and brace myself for the inevitable chop-busting that was no doubt coming my way as the whole fleet had seen my panic-driven sprint.
Stan was the first person to get to me. He was smiling and chuckling. I stood to greet him and he slapped me on the back and in his best English basically told me that I’d just done some good running but I should relax a little and enjoy the day!
Good advice…. Fair winds Stan, thanks for all you gave back to the class and everyone in it.
Remembering Stan Macur – DN North America (idniyra.org)
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DN CLASS BALLOT
Hey Gang-
Check your incoming mail for the Notice of Electronic Ballot from the DN Class.
Vote early and often!
T
Notice of Electronic Ballot – DN North America (idniyra.org)
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May Runner Tracks Available!
Hey Folks- You can take your mind of this chilly gray New England spring by reading this month’s Runner Tracks!
Click and enjoy!
Runner Tracks Newsletter May 2024 – DN North America (idniyra.org)
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Fall Meeting In Maine
Hey Folks-
The CIBC fall meeting is this Sunday up at the Farm on Dammy Lake.
Head on up and celebrate a hell of a season. And get some food!
Details here: MEETING TIME | Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club
Canadians On The March
Hello All-
One of these days I’m hoping to sit down and write up a report about the DN NA champs… As Mark Keifer would have said, “It was EPIC…”
Plenty of stories to be told but one of the big ones certainly has to be the success of the Canadian team. They have really stepped it up quite a bit in the last few years and deserve some recognition.
We’d also love to know how they’ve done it! Maybe a few clues in this article….
DN RUNNER TRACKS AVAILABLE
Hey Folks- the March issue is out- take a look and keep tabs on what is going on in the class here and over on the other side of the Pond….
Runner Tracks Newsletter March 2024 – DN North America (idniyra.org)
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Regatta Photos
There are a million great sailing photos of this regatta online. But I wanted to offer a peek into a typical morning at the hotel and off the lake.
Eben Whitcomb at breakfast shamelessly feeding his coffee while a disgusted Pete John’s looks on.
The notorious hotel waffle. God knows what is in these things and what the future health repercussions will be but damn are they tasty. And a little nauseating at the end.
Eben and Bob Haag smiling those big New England smiles.
Dave Frost’s dog helping check ice
Heading out of Newport RI to begin this little odyssey
Prince. Singer, guitar player, pop culture icon. Love him or hate you have to say he made an impression. Try to listen to “1999” and not move your booty just a little. Can’t be done. What’s this have to do w iceboating? His studio recording facility was a few miles from here. Operated now as a museum. His shoe collection is currently on display.
As always, it’s not just about the sailing!
Big day yesterday, honking wind, FAST speeds, three of the fastest weather mark roundings of my life, some broken gear and a few sore sailors rocking some ice packs today. More to come…..
T 5224
2024 DN North American Championship Called ON for Waconia, MN – DN North America
Hey Folks- looks like we are off to MN to duke it out for the NA champs.
We tried to find a spot to host this event out east but came up short…. Lakes too small, open water, snow, un-sail-able rough ice…. Just couldn’t put all the pieces together.
But not for lack of trying! Have to thank Chamberland, Roseberry, Bucholz, Zierman, Hill, Brush, Gervais, Silfvenius, and others for putting in the time and the miles. Kudos gang!
Anyway stay tuned to the IDNIYRA site for updates. And check NEIYA site for local sailing- sounds like plenty of good sailing to be had in NE this weekend and beyond!
https://www.idniyra.org/2024-dn-north-american-championship-called-on-for-waconia-mn/
Thinking About Registering Last Minute for the North Americans? – DN North America
Take a look!
https://www.idniyra.org/thinking-about-registering-last-minute-for-the-north-americans/
NA Champs Ice Hunt…
Hey Folks-
Like everyone else we are needing some serious ice, but this is for the DN NA champs next week, starting the 25th.
If you have any intel on where a good sized plate (2 x 2 mile minimum) may be hiding with good access, plenty of parking, and a hotel or two nearby let us know! Email addresses are below.
This is your chance to be a hero! Thanks, T
Last night, the IDNIYRA Governing Group met to discuss the site selection for the 2024 North American Championship. A weather system is currently moving across the eastern part of the United States. Despite the usual challenges, we remain committed to finding the perfect location for the championship.
We are sending scouts to explore potential New England and Northern Minnesota sites and are monitoring conditions in Northern Michigan. On Tuesday, we have a conference call scheduled with a weather service to discuss the long-range forecast for the regatta. At present, we do not have a primary site secured. However, we are working hard to finalize our decision and plan to announce the chosen venue on Wednesday night, February 21, 2024.
Your assistance in this process is invaluable. If you have any information regarding potential regatta ice, please do not hesitate to contact your regional commodore. Stay tuned for further updates as we navigate through this process together.
Regional Commodores
Host Region – Eastern – James “T” Thieler t_thieler@yahoo.com
Canada – Colin Duncan – colinduncan439@gmail.com
Central Region – Peter Johanson – petejoh@med.umich.edu
Western Region – Chris Berger – berg820@yahoo.com
Mallets Bay
Four Boats sailed inner Mallets Bay today. Ice is primo grade, 8-9 out of ten at least!
We didn’t check the outer bay but plenty of room on the inner part.
More boats planning on sailing tomorrow- marks will be set for scratch racing. Launch from Mallets Bay Fish And Wildlife Access Area in Colchester VT.
Look forward to seeing some boats on the ice tomorrow!
T
Ice Hunt
Hey folks, sounds like people have been sailing at Levitt Beach in New Hampshire and maybe Quaboag Pond in Massachusetts. Also Chiki and Dammy in Maine. Check NEIYA and CIBC sites for info on those
Mallets Bay has been sailed and some glowing reports and video have emerged…. This author will be sailing it today and tomorrow and possibly further into the week.
Could be a good chance to get some laps in before the NA regatta pops up- there could be a handful of boats to race against.
Will post a report here later in the day-
Stay tuned!
New England Ice Yacht Association 