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!
Ice Boats, Ashby MN. December 2 2023. – YouTube
Take a look at this vid from today’s racing from the Western Challenge; Great day!
Good breeze, nice ice, seven races each in three different fleets and a whole second course set up for new sailors. Awesome day! Thanks to all who are making it happen….
Western Challenge Friday Report
Not much to report sailing-wise other than we were skunked for beeeze. A total bummer BUT it gave everyone plenty of time to hang out and catch up which, in a group like this, is always great to do.
In twenty-five years of DN sailing I’ve always been amazed at the scope of vocations, avocations and personalities of the people who are involved in this class. Boat captains, doctors, pilots, engineers, musicians, artists, landlords, composite experts, sailmakers, lawyers, boatbuilders, at least one plumber…. The list goes on and on!
Where are these people from? I can tell you that yesterday I chatted with people from Minnesota, Maryland, New York, Maine, Wisconsin, Ohio , Illinois, Rhode Island, Michigan, Germany, Massachusetts, Canada, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Australia. All hanging out in a lake in northern Minnesota. Not bad!
A quick count showed roughly 70 boats here, also a great turnout. We have even spotted a smattering of women and younger sailors in the group, good to see but would be great to have more of both…. Please recruit more women and children into this little cult….
Did I mention some night owls saw the Aurora Borealis last night?
Hoping for breeze today, will update as things go. Looking forward to doing some sailing…. In the meantime see below for some miscellaneous photos.
Think ICE!
T. DN US 5224
The frozen pizza section at Larry’s Food Store:
A small woodpecker eating suet off a deer carcass that someone left hanging from a branch:
Lake Christina from the top of a hill….
Aussies in Minnesota. How the hell???
The Deep Creek-ers made it out:
Action photo from the road:
The launch area Thursday afternoon, before the horde arrived
Western Challenge Regatta Is ON!!!
As always the summer flew by and it’s time to get rolling into the winter season. And if you are anything like me you are asking “What the hell happened and why am I so far behind on getting my gear ready YET AGAIN!”
But never mind the details. Time to go sailing! Things are looking good for the Western Challenge so cobble together whatever sailable gear you have, load on up and head on out! Forecast etc looks good and it sounds like there will be a good turnout.
Hope to see a lot of Eastern faces out there!
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Plymouth Pond Ice | Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club
Hopeful signs for a good season!
Paul Chamberland Opens NA DN Season in Alberta, Canada – DN North America
One of our own got the NA season going this year! Well done Paul!
https://www.idniyra.org/2023/11/22/paul-chamberland-opens-na-dn-season-in-alberta-canada/
Notice Of Dues
Hey Folks-
If you are interested in racing your DN or already hooked make sure you get on the IDNIYRA website and pay our annual dues.
Membership is cheap and well worth it! If you are feeling generous you can choose a sustaining membership which includes a small donation. If you are feeling REALLY generous you can do that AND make a donation (hint hint…)
In any case please support the organization that keeps us on track. Click and get at it!
IDNIYRA Notice of Dues 2024 – DN North America
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DN CLASS BALLOT
Hey Folks- My apologies for not getting this out sooner-
If you are a DN class member be sure to find this notice in your email and cast your ballot.
Remember, vote early and often!
Notice of Electronic Ballot for Specification Changes & EPIC Agreement Amendment – DN North America (idniyra.org)
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September Runner Tracks!
Anyone care to tell me where the summer went???
Seems like it was over before it started this year- Time to buckle down and get the boats and gear ready and a great way to get inspired is by reading the new issue of Runner Tracks!
Be sure to check it out here:
Runner Tracks Newsletter September 2023 – DN North America (idniyra.org)
Looking forward to the season! T
DN CLASS RANKINGS ARE IN!
Hey Folks-
Hope all are getting through the dog days of summer and using the time to get the gear tuned up and the neck muscles moving!
Won’t be long now until we see frost on the pumpkin- You can while away the time by checking out the latest DN Class Ranking List.
2024 International Ranking List Published – DN North America (idniyra.org)
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See where you are, where your friends and rivals are, and maybe draw some inspiration and set some goals for this season!
I know it’s still August but THINK ICE!
T Thieler, DN US 5224
DN Class Ballot
Hey Folks-
If you are DN Class member be sure to vote on the latest ballot- only takes a few minutes to get familiar with the items and cast your voice heard.
Vote early and often!
Notice of Electronic Ballot – DN North America (idniyra.org)
RUNNER TRACKS!
It may be June but the hard-water world is still out there waiting…. Pass the time with the latest Runner Tracks!
See it online or custom order a paper copy- And congrats to cover boy Jost Kolb!
Runner Tracks – DN North America (idniyra.org)
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Buddy Melges – Sail On
Hey Folks- Sad to say another legend has gone over the bar…. Raise a glass and toast a life well lived!
Sail on Buddy- I don’t know how the hell you did it, but you sure as hell did!
One of my favorite “Buddy Moments” was during the 1987 America’s Cup in a Fremantle, Australia.
A reporter was asking him what is was like to drive a highly tuned, thoroughbred racing machine like a 12 Meter…. obviously looking for a response along the lines of “Well you’re on the edge the whole time…. One wrong twitch and it’s disaster, have to be afraid to panic etc….”
Buddy just shrugged his shoulders, grinned ever so slightly and said “Well, it’s like drivin’ a truck.”
The reporter was slack-jawed.
Classic!
More here….
https://www.iceboat.org/2023/05/18/buddy-melges-fair-winds-endless-black-ice/
Buddy Melges Documentary Premiering at the CT Spring Boat Show April 29th
Hey Folks-
If you have some time this Saturday and want to learn about a true legend make your way to the CT Spring Boat Show and catch this biography of the one and only Buddy Melges!
This guy has done it all- He has won Olympic Gold, the America’s Cup, Star World Championships, a ton of Scow championships, and a metric ton of iceboat regattas. Just amazing. Obviously and real competitor and by all accounts a good guy to boot!
Learn more about the man at the premier. If you can’t make it we will try to find out where we can all see it later on.
Think ICE!
April 29
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Virtual Iceboating Lecture Sunday April 30th !!
Hey Folks!
The season may be in the books but there is plenty to keep us all interested here-
Hosted by Henry Bossett and Deb Whitehorse, this promises to be a real treat for racing and cruising fans alike.
Click the link to have a look and register- Look forward to comparing notes with everyone afterward.
Think ICE!
Virtual Lecture “The Exciting World of Iceboating” April 30 – iceboat.org
New England Ice Yacht Association 