Maine Comes Through
Hey Folks-
The Maine-iacs have done it! They squeezed in a regatta; informal, spur of the moment, and I think on a weekday. Something to be said for that!
Good time had by all it seems- Newcomers Roseberry and Chamberland nearly tied for top spot and no doubt this tussle will speed them up even more. They are certainly putting in the time and effort-
Paul was able to lend total newcomer (and I mean TOTAL; he had literally zero time in an iceboat) Tristan Lewis his extra boat and it paid off- Tristan made it around the course every race and was even able to take a 3 and a 4. He was even able to take one off Paul in the fourth race. No good deed goes unpunished, eh Paul?
Hope Tristan will keep at it- He must have some aptitude! And the fact that Paul was good enough to hand over a whole boat is a feel-good story that warms even my ice-cold little heart….
Well done to all! Click here for the whole story;
Linc Davis Cup | Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club
Dammy Feb 11
Several boats sailed Damariscotta today, the north end was decent. Snow ice, some cracks and barely-healed thin spots were enough to either keep you on your toes or play it safe and call it a day….
A few boats will be back tomorrow and of breeze cooperates maybe some cruising and scratch racing-
Stay tuned- Things could be looking good for next week; we are getting optimistic reports from Kingston and the Central region. NY state may be back in action as well
Keep da faith! T
Bad News
Folks, I just can’t bring myself to call a real regatta on for any of the lakes we checked in NY. Quite a bit of water and slush, a bit worrisome for a fragile little DN.
Good news is there will be scratch racing on Damariscotta Lake in Maine. Take a look at the CIBC site for details.
And don’t give up hope!
Think Ice….
RACING AND CRUISING THIS WEEKEND
Hey Folks- The weather always makes things a challenge but lately that has hit new heights…. Wind, warm, precipitation, and timing all askew for good conditions…
That said, we may have some options- Two lakes in Central New York may in play; Sacondage and Saratoga. We hope to have eyes on the ground tomorrow and will post a report ASAP. IF we do have a regatta it will be the New England champs as it would be great to get that in the books. Also, there will be a Classics award for the person with the best finish in the least modern boat. So come race even if your boat is and old war horse and not a bleeding-edge thoroughbred. Stay tuned to this site for more info.
There may also be a gathering of Vintage Craft up that way… There have been plenty of people busy in the barn all summer and there should be some boats to show off. Always cool to see what they sailed back in the day…. Stay tuned for info on that too!
As if that weren’t enough I heard rumors of Skeeters being moved around. Make of that what you will.
As always, there are hazards and dangerous areas of these lakes- please stay off them until they have been scouted by locals.
Clear your calendars and load up!
T US 5224
A Race To Remember
Chad Atkins was on fire at the DN NA champs and he gives this account of the final race. It was a wild one!
A Race to Remember: Race 3 of the DN North American Championship by Chad Atkins – iceboat.org
|
How He Did It….
When I first started sailing DNs twenty or so years ago I was struck at how helpful other sailors were and at the free flow of information from top sailors down to newbies like me.
Since then I’ve heard other sailors comment on that very tradition and what a cool thing it is; and how it is not the case in every boat class out there.
A great example of this is most recent World and North American DN Champ Matt Struble breaking down his tips, tricks, techniques, and thoughts on campaigning a DN. Based on his results he is a good guy to study!
Click the link and take notes….
2023 DN World Championship Debrief with Matt Struble – DN North America (idniyra.org)
|
MAINE!!
Things are afoot up that way…. Thinking of a regatta this weekend if things hold up and weather cooperates- Stay tuned….
Gold Cup / NA Champs Pics
Hey Folks-
If you weren’t able to attend the DN GC or NA champs you can get an idea of what you missed by checking out Cathy Firmbach’s photos here-
Be sure to buy a few and make her efforts worthwhile!
Many thanks Cathy- was great to see you out there-
Cathy Firmbach 2023 DN World Championship Photos Available – DN North America (idniyra.org)
|
RUNNER TRACKS
The new Runner Tracks is out, packed as ever with cool photos and informative articles, including one by our very own Chad Atkins!
Take a look here:
Runner Tracks Newsletter February 2023 – DN North America (idniyra.org)
|
DAMMY IS ON
Hey Gang- Sounds like there is sailable ice up in Maine-
Some RI sailors may be heading up this week-
Stay tuned to the CIBC site for details-
IF the ice survives all week it may be suitable for a regatta this weekend- keep an eye on this site for details!
Damariscotta ON | Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club
|
NEIYA RACING
Hey Folks-
As you all know we haven’t been doing much racing in NE over the last few years due to weather, COVID, scheduling issues, etc….
That said, the Gold Cup and North Americans are behind us and there is plenty of winter ahead of us and our intention is to get back to a full slate of regattas this year. This weekend may be a possibility, we are looking at sites and printing up score sheets.
We are aware that we all just got back from the Big Show but winter is short! Do your laundry, knock a few things off the to-do list, load all the stuff back in the car and stay tuned!
Think Ice, T
RI in WI
Three RI sailors have established a beachhead on Kegonsa Lake in WI….
Thieler, Binder and Demerest are in town and ready to rumble!
Healey, Atkins, Moore and maybe others on the way.
To follow all the news check the IDNIYRA site at https://www.idniyra.org/
Think Ice!
DN GC/NA UPDATE
Here is the latest and greatest….
2023 World & NA Championship Update for 17 Jan – DN North America (idniyra.org)
|
SKEETER VIDEO
Hey Folks- It’s no secre that this season has been off to a slow start out this way…. A total bummer to be sure.
Only one thing to do: Torture yourself by watching this video from the ISA regatta out west last weekend. It’s extraordinary!
ISA Skeeter Iceboat Racing – YouTube
|
’23 DN Western Region Championship Called ON for Lake Kegonsa in WI Jan 7-8 – DN North America
Take a look and hit the road if you are interested!
There is a great restaurant/bar right on the lake if that is an incentive….
Regatta News!
Hey Folks- just to you know the Western Regional DN champs are still on for the weekend although the Central Region champs have been postponed.
Western regionals possible sites near Madison. Stay tuned to IDNIYRA for details!
A handful of NE sailors are headed that way- Chamberland, Roseberry, Thieler, Binder and maybe more- hope others can head out!
Will send updates….
SAILING TOMORROW
Sounds like some people will be hitting it up in Maine tomorrow- check the CIBC site for details! As always be safe, take all precautions, and never sail alone!
Sailing Tomorrow | Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club
Western DN Champs Called ON!
Hey Folks- If you are needing some ice time consider heading out to the Western Champs- They have ice out there and with a little luck it’ll hold and not get snowed out.
Keep an eye on the IDNIYRA site for details!
2023 Western Region Championship Called ON for 7-8 January – DN North America (idniyra.org)
|
DN Gold Cup Registration Deadline-
Hey Folks-
Registration fees increase tomorrow for the Gold Cup and NA Champs so be sure to hop online and sign up! So easy even I could do it in a few minutes….
Will be great to get back to having big regattas after a long break- Make this the year if you are on the fence! Fun to see and meet ice sailing nuts from around the globe. Always something to learn and a memory (or a fuzzy memory) to be made….
Register Today for the 2023 World & NA Championships! – DN North America (idniyra.org)
|
DN Newsletter Is Out!
Hey Folks- be sure to get the new DN newsletter, as always full of good stuff! See it for free online or order a glossy paper copy- Don;t miss it! T
Runner Tracks 2022 – DN North America (idniyra.org)
|
IDNIYRA News
Hey DN people- First of all, the yearbook is available- be sure to order one to have on hand!
Second, the World and North American Champs are back on the docket this year! Be sure to sign up soon- Will be great to see the whole gang back on the starting line-
Info on both here
2023 IDNIYRA Yearbook – DN North America
2023 World & North American Championships Notice of Race – DN North America (idniyra.org)
2023 DN World & North American Championship: Register Today! – DN North America (idniyra.org)
|
Lake Abenakis, Quebec
In case you weren’t able to get there here is a little vid of some sailing last weekend up north of the border-
Not the biggest lake in the world BUT it was good to get out and buzz around for a few days!
CIBC – First sail of 2022-2023 season (Lac Abénakis, Québec) – YouTube
|
Ice In The East!
The folks in Maine have found a possibility just over the border- Sounds like boats will be on the ice there tomorrow and hopefully beyond! Tune into the CIBC site for more info-
I’m hoping to get up there by Saturday afternoon and set some marks for scratch racing for whoever is interested-
Western Challenge Is ON!!
Load ’em up! Looks like we have a regatta going on….
Western Challenge Called ON for Lake Washington, Hutchinson, MN – DN North America (idniyra.org)
|
New England Ice Yacht Association 