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!
Doc Fellows Update
Hey Folks-
Yesterday we were out-winded and out-glared…. Going really fast downwind while being blinded by the light was deemed not the best idea so we called racing off for the day.
Forecast and conditions identical today so not official racing, just scrub racing for anyone who is up for it.
Sail w caution, keep your eyes open and your head on a swivel- Chiki is a Great Lake but a compact one so there will be plenty of traffic!
Will be searching for bigger and better ice as we are determined to get a regatta in prior to the NAs!
Think ICE
Doc Fellows Feb 3-4
Hey Folks-
Looking forward to getting some NE regattas in the books, starting tomorrow!
The Doc Fellows is on! Things to know:
-There is a good sized crack that runs from about the launch due east across the lake. Easy to cross perpendicularly…. Once north of that no worries.
-should be plenty of breeze tomorrow- eat a big dinner, a big breakfast, and get familiar w the racing right of way rules.
-proof of insurance is a MUST! You all know the drill….
-Races will be run all day Saturday and into Sunday if needed. First race at noon Saturday.
-A Vintage Beater award will be given for the best finish in the least cutting edge boat….
-if anyone wants to do race committee let me know! If not we will do Maine-Style scoring (win a race, keep score for the next one)
See everyone tomorrow! T
DOC FELLOWS REGATTA IS ON!
Hey Folks-
The Doc Fellows regatta will be held this weekend on Chikiwaukee Lake in Rockport ME. Launch from Rt 17 First race at noon. More details to follow-
Apologies for the late notice.
Think ICE! T
DN NA REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Get your entries in soon and save a few bucks!
Register Now and Save $50 for IDNIYRA North American Regatta!
BY DEB WHITEHORSE | JAN 16, 2024 | 2024, 2024 NA, HOME PAGE | 0 COMMENTS
2024 DN North American Home Page
Entry List
Secure your spot in the 2024 IDNIYRA North American Regatta and save $50 when you register early. Register here
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On February 4, the entry fee will increase to $190.
Chesapeake Iceboating…..
Neat article here about iceboating on the Chesapeake; read and enjoy while we wait for good news from up north….
Thanks to Ed Thieler for sending the article in.
Think Ice!
The Chesapeake Log, Winter 2017 by Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum – Issuu
Ice in Quebec!
Sounds like sail-able ice in Quebec folks!
See the link below for details.
Break out your passport and stay tuned to the CIBC site for details. Think Ice!
https://iceboat.me/2023/12/30/ice-in-quebec-2/
James “T” Thieler
Maryland Iceboating
Hey Folks- Great write up here on iceboating in Maryland and the 1977 DN World Champs on the Eastern Shore….
If I recall that regatta is the place where Lloyd Roberts and some other people had the idea to write a thorough, all-you-need-to-know book about iceboating. Soon enough “Think Ice!” was (and still is) a must-read for any aspiring iceboater.
Click, read and enjoy! T
The Chesapeake Log, Winter 2017 by Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum – Issuu
ICE OPTI
Neat little story here….
The Schmidt Family Ice Optimist Project – DN North America (idniyra.org)
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WESTERN CHALLENGE RECAP
Great photos and video from the Western Challenge earlier in the month. The ice is no quite as pristine as Pushaw but there was a great turnout (70 boats!) with 21 races run for each fleet!
Take a look, get your gear ready, and pray for some cold weather….
Relive the 2023 Western Challenge – DN North America (idniyra.org)
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LATEST RUNNER TRACKS
The latest DN Class Newsletter is out! Click and enjoy! OF course it is yet another masterpiece….
Runner Tracks – DN North America (idniyra.org)
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Racing Postponed….
Sorry Folks…. The ice is nice up at Pushaw but there isn’t a plate big enough for a proper regatta…. So we will be patient and wait it out.
Check the CIBC site for info on the lake and sailing.
Exercise caution as early season ice can be hazardous….
How To Improve….
Great article here about practice, improvement, and everything else it takes to get good at something whether it’s sailing your iceboat, playing an instrument, becoming better at bowling, whatever it is.
Read and learn!
How do you get to Carnegie Hall? — The Favored End
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Regatta Potential This Weekend
Hey Folks-
Big news as it seems there may be regatta-worthy ice up in Maine…. The surface looks spectacular but as ever we need to confirm that what’s underneath is reasonable safe.
IF we get some good reports we might just be able to have a regatta this weekend. Hopefully we will make an announcement by tomorrow afternoon on this site.
Do recall that this is not only for DN ice yachts- As discussed at the meeting 3 or more of any class will get their own start. Skeeters, Skimmers, Whizzes, Whatever. A sound knowledge of ice yacht sailing right of way rules is a must, so read up on that.
Also keep in mind that a trophy (to be named eventually) will be awarded to the best finish by the skipper sailing the oldest, slowest, most time-worn DN in the fleet. So your boat need not be cutting edge to get some hardware!
Get your gear ready and stay tuned. Think ICE!
New England Ice Yacht Association 