2015 Euro DN video
Bob Crinion found this cool aerial video from the European DN champs- Check it out! Some good leeward mark rounding footage and a good view of a start- watch the guy with the red helmet- wish I had starts like that all week! Happy viewing…. T
Doc Fellows DONE! New England Champs Sunday
Sebago came through! An elite fleet did a five race series to get the 2015 Doc Fellows regatta in the books- Pretty sure Chad Atkins is the winner with your author as runner up- complete results and report later- For now congrats to Chad and thanks to all who sailed and Dave Fortier for scoring-
New England champs on tap for tomorrow- Should be breeze and the ice ain’t bad- Get your bad selves up here and let’s a have a good turnout for the NE’s!
Launch from Nason’s Beach and Campground- drive on the ice! Sweeeet….
See y’all tomorrow- Skipper meeting 0930 at launch.
T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Sebago Cruising / Racing / Scorer Needed
Hello Folks-
The good news is out about Sebago- Lord knows what the weather will do but you can’t play if you don’t show up…
Scouts advise us that there is plenty of room for cruising / touring- should be plenty of that going on as it sounds like several people will be showing up to do just that; I expect to see the usual mix of exotic craft at the launch area- Bring your own creation and join the fun!
There will be a race course as well for the DN regattas- Hopefully this will be away from where the cruising is going on but keep an eye out for it either way. Remember Oliver Moore’s promise to have a start for any class that shows up with three or more boats- food for thought gang! Give it a whirl or watch the action for a bit- Would be fun to see some different boats rounding the marks!
By the way we will be needing a scorer for the races- if you’d like to volunteer send me an email or find me on the ice- DN US 5224 And if anyone wants to fly a drone and take pictures as well as keep score that would be killah- calling Jeff Kent….
See y’all this weekend!!
Commodore T.
James “T” Thieler
12 Channing St.
Newport, RI 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Racing This Weekend!!!
Good news Folks! Sebago has been scouted; None other than Lloyd Roberts himself informs us:
“Its in. Nason’s Beach is open. Lake was sailed today, Thursday, all way across and around Frye Island. Plenty of ice for regatta.
Graded at 5-6 by Fortier and Buchholz.
Raymond beach and Jordan Bay not so good, major snow field out in Bay.”
And so we ARE ON!! Will be attempting two regattas in one weekend unless anyone (including Mother Nature) objects- Most likely Doc Fellows Saturday and New Englands Sunday if we can- This time of year we have to scramble to get the regattas in the books. Usual rules apply- insurance, safe sailing, etc…
Stay tuned to this site for details-
Nason’s is the place to launch- some cars have driven onto the ice, do so at your own risk and discretion.
Spread the word and let’s make the most of the season we have left-
Think Ice!
James “T” Thieler
12 Channing St.
Newport, RI 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Racing This Weekend?
Hey Folks-
We have a good feeling about conditions up north for the weekend- Too windy to scout Sebago today but the guys will be scoping out there and elsewhere to see if we can get our regattas in the books-
Stay tuned to this site for details! Will do our best to get some kind of announcement out by tomorrow afternoon-
Start loading them up- think positive!! T
James “T” Thieler
12 Channing St.
Newport, RI 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Europe Pics And Videos
Some video and photos from the EC in case anyone is interested….
Video from French TV-
http://videos.tf1.fr/jt-20h/2015/ice-sailing-de-la-voile-sur-la-glace-8576416.html
Race start, first day
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=657054887736654&set=vb.100002964452621&type=3&permPage=1
And a few photos- The opening ceremony, Day One start in the rain, giving Karol Jablonksi some pointers (you can see he is having a “Why didn’t I think of that?!?” moment), Tartu architecture, Hotel where we stayed (awesome breakfast included, 68 Euros per night, cheaper than the Hilton Garden), awards ceremony, three stowaways on ferry to Kiel (Diderec, Peter and Joerg) and lastly, genuflecting to the coffee maker at Joerg’s house. Yes, I have a coffee addiction.
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- opening cermony
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- start
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Volvo Ocean Race Leg Start
Greetings Sports Fans-
Just a heads up that the Volvo Ocean Race Leg Start is at 4PM Eastern time (1 hr from now). Check it out on line at the VOR site, on the You Tube channel, or maybe at SailingAnarchy.com.
What does this have to do with iceboats?
First, the boats are kinda high performance so that’s one thing.
Second, the skipper of Alvimedica is a former housemate of our one and only Oliver Moore, and that pretty much seals it- Happy viewing!!
T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Spring Sailing, Spring Clinic and Euro Update
Hey Folks-
The weather is breaking and spring will be upon us all too soon but don’t forget we have sailing to do and races to run! When we finally get the thaw and re-freeze we need we will do our damnedest to get our regattas in the books! Doc Fellows, New England’s, and Eastern Champs among others- Plus rumors of the Central Region champs being called on for this weekend if you are a DN sailor- And our neighbors to the north are keen to get the Canadian Champs in before spring….
Speaking of Canada the Nova Scotia gang had a regatta that I’m sorry I missed- Bob Crinion won the Canadian Maritimes Champs- I think his worst finish was a second- Congrats Bob and send us a write up on what you used and how you did it- Congrats also to whoever was the only person to take a race off Bob!
The ice is THICK up north so this could be one of those years where we do quite a bit of sailing in April- I say we make the most of it! Stay tuned for more info and if you have ice, let us know…. Get those slush runners tuned up.
And a quick reminder that we are planning another spring clinic/get together at Jeff Kent’s shop in Hingham, MA. Haven’t nailed the date down yet as we don’t want to conflict with any spring sailing but the last one we did was well attended and a good time was had by all so we hope to go bigger and better this year! Check this site for updates-
Lastly the European Champs are done, sort of…. We were able to get five races in despite deteriorating ice and warm weather. It was pretty rad- the first four were on the first day in breeze, soft ice and rain- I was glad to be in a bright yellow boat, let’s just say that.
Warm rain that night totaled that course so we moved down the lake to a different area and were able to get one more race in as the breeze was fading (weather now alternating between snow showers and bright sunshine). Bit of controversy in this one as a few boats skipped the Darling mark and rounded a similar looking flag that was marking a hazard between the Darling mark and the weather mark. Easy mistake to make and it did shave a little distance of the course for the boats that cut the corner. Did it affect the results of the race? I don’t know, I didn’t actually see the incident. Complicating matters is the possible fact that some of the offending boats may have been DSQ’d before the race even started for sailing on the course while the “C” (Bronze) fleet was racing…. The plot is thick indeed!
I do know that the race is currently disallowed as it is under protest- the issue has been kicked upstairs to the powers-that-be and eventually we will get a verdict on whether it will count or not. If it’s reinstated that’s good for yours truly, I get to count a 4th and throw out an 18th and move up a place or two overall- but the chips will fall where they fall- I had a blast either way.
Kind of a drag that the event has this little cloud over it but on the sunny side the whole trip was a thrill once again- Joerg Bohn does an UNBELIEVABLE job of making this event happen and running the whole show over there and on top of that is the most gracious and generous host you can imagine. Thanks to him and Torsten Siems who also opened his home and shop to us. It was great to meet and hang out with all the DN enthusiasts from all around Europe.
Joerg says he wants at least 15 US sailors over there for the GC/EC next year!!! Put it on the calendar, start planning NOW! Contact me with any questions about how to pull this off- Trust me, you won’t regret it. Great times, nice people, great racing at all levels (three fleets deep) and if the dollar is still strong against the Euro you won’t have to borrow against the house to do it.
That’s all for now- Think ICE!!
Commodore T.
James “T” Thieler
12 Channing St.
Newport, RI 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Controversy….
Rumors afoot that Race 5 has been chucked…. Bummer…. Stay tuned….
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Euro Champ Day 4
High pressure today- The meteorological kind that is- Warm, no breeze whatsoever so I had a nice nap in my boat and some socializing until the committee pulled the plug at 1130. Good call, it only got warmer and the breeze never piped up-
Saw this cool boat in the parking lot- love the stem timber made from half a piling. Also a few guys ogling my sweet CSI sled, and that telltale sign of spring, a drain dumping melted snow into the lake…. Not a good omen!
Tomorrow is the last day- Hope we get some races in-
Also hope everyone is getting some sailing in back that way- spring is on the way so get it all in while you can!
Keep fingers crossed for a long spring season….
Stay tuned!! T
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James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
European Champs Day 3
Hey Folks- good news here as another site was found with no hazards… Bad news is Joerg got the van stuck in the mud again and once again we got towed out with a tractor- A big beast of a tractor! See pics….
Sailing-wise the gold fleet got one race in- Medium breeze and soft ice- Power sail and max thickness inserts seemed to be the runner of choice; they stayed on top of it better than thin ones- Angles were too slick and min tees dug in…. Interesting…..
The race was energetic- Lots of sheeting in and out as the boat entered and exited the sticky patches- Pinching wasn’t an option-
After pooching the start I was able to wiggle free and weasel my way into fourth- very happy with that.
Some protests this afternoon having to do with whether or not a few boats sailed inside the Darling marks…. Hope it’s all resolved without drama….
Nice party at dinner tonight hosted by the Dutch team- there was a rules quiz and a raffle. Of course two of the prizes were tulip bulbs and fake fuzzy wooden clogs- Gotta love the Dutch- Thanks guys!!
Going to bed now- Gold up first tomorrow!
Check interweb for results etc- Cheers! T
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James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Euro Champs Day 2
No racing yesterday- Warm wind and rain opened up some long leads and created a few drain holes so the committee wisely decided to call it off for the day and look at other options-
Looks like we will love to a different section of the lake and take another shot at it today!
Stay tuned… T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Euro Champs Day 1
Four races today on soft-ish ice and decent breeze- Drizzle/light rain all day kind of a drag but not too cold so not unpleasant-
Worth it for the racing! Deep fleet, high speeds, Awesome stuff-
So far yours truly is top American- I think I may be able to hold onto that spot as I’m the only one here-
Sitting in 8th right now, learning a lot and so far glad I made the trek. Some guy named Karol is in the lead….
Miss y’all!!! Hope everyone is getting some sailing in back that way-
Stay tuned, T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Euro Champs Day 1
Four races today on soft-ish ice and decent breeze- Drizzle/light rain all day kind of a drag but not too cold so not unpleasant-
Worth it for the racing! Deep fleet, high speeds, Awesome stuff-
So far yours truly is top American- I think I may be able to hold onto that spot as I’m the only one here-
Sitting in 8th right now, learning a lot and so far glad I made the trek. Some guy named Karol is in the lead….
Miss y’all!!! Hope everyone is getting some sailing in back that way-
Stay tuned, T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Tartu, Estonia
Hello Folks- An epic overnight road trip took us from Bad Zwischenahn, Germany to Tartu, Estonia. A slow leak in a rear tire led us to a farmer with a full auto shop in his barn for a quick fix (see photo) and morning saw us arrive at the launch site near Tartu, kinda in central Estonia-
Cool place! There is a center for education in limnology here (the study of lakes and ponds I think) and we were able to go in and check out the various creatures they have in a selection of really well done aquaria, including one set into the floor and covered with glass that you can walk on. Big sturgeons in that one plus carp, perch, pike, shiners…. All stuff from the lake. Awesome!
Opening ceremonies are done, I got to hold the US flag as I am the lone Yank competing- See the photo for a holder’s eye view-
Well over 150 boats registered, some sexy gear in the pits for sure-
Bad news is it’s fairly warm and the ice is degrading- Will see what the morning brings-
Time to hit the hay- been a long few days!
Stay tuned- T
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James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Another Adventure….
Hmmmm. ….a photo of a Lufthansa 747 at Logan airport…. This can only mean that your faithful roving reporter is at it again….
Heading off to do the European Champs- Will keep y’all posted whether you like it or not!
Flying solo this trip- Hope to have some company for Worlds and Euros next year! Put it on the calendar now gang, it’s worth it.
Hope everyone gets some sailing in soon- go visit the Gang in Jersey! It’s been too long since a lot of us have sailed down that way-
Stay tuned and think ice!! Check the DN European website for official updates-
T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Another Adventure….
Hmmmm. ….a photo of a Lufthansa 747 at Logan airport…. This can only mean that your faithful roving reporter is at it again….
Heading off to do the European Champs- Will keep y’all posted whether you like it or not!
Flying solo this trip- Hope to have some company for Worlds and Euros next year! Put it on the calendar now gang, it’s worth it.
Hope everyone gets some sailing in soon- go visit the Gang in Jersey! It’s been too long since a lot of us have sailed down that way-
Stay tuned and think ice!! Check the DN European website for official updates-
T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
DN World Champs Video!!
While we are all waiting for fresh ice take a look at this fresh vid from the worlds last month-
Some good shots of our own Eric Anderson cooking around the top mark in good company!!
It’s all in French you may want to pull the cork on a nice bottle of wine and have a little cheese and invent your own subtitles….
Central Lakes Champs- Stand down….
This is the latest from the gang in the Central Region…. Bummer! Thanks to everyone out there for scouting the place out and getting the permits etc…. Hope we get out that way soon!
In the meantime work on the boats, do your sit-ups and neck exercises and wrack your brains to find a lake in New England that hasn’t been blanketed! T
Hello Everybody –
Alum creek continues to show great ice conditions with no snow on the surface. Temps today should continue to improve the ice.
The bad news: It needs to be sailed tomorrow (after todays warm-up) to test the conditions. Forecasted Winds in the 25-30 MPH range are not conducive to that.
Worse news. Saturdays forecast is for 20-29 MPH winds. Because the lake will not allow much more than 3/4-7/8 mile course in the West-to-East direction, this is not acceptable conditions for more than 10-15 boats in a fleet. (we know we should get 20-30+ each fleet).
Nail in the coffin news: The high temp on Sunday is: 7 degrees.
Add to that the longer distance traveled by most sailors, and what the heck, lets throw in the Valentines day thingy while were at it…
So – after going through the motions of applying for a permit to hold our regatta there, It looks to be in our best interest to try it another weekend someplace.
Thanks to local sailor, John Wargo for the updates and pictures during the week! And also thanks to Jane Stites and Jason Meyers at Alum Creek state park for helping expedite the permit process and making us welcome there.
If anyone is interested in a good day of sailing, I am willing to go all day Friday to Alum Creek. Conditions appear good that day – 9-15 MPH with a high of 22 degrees.
-Kent US 5219
James “T” Thieler
12 Channing St.
Newport, RI 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
IceBoating Central Lakes Champs
http://dnamerica.org/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=dec3081169e6ddeb7a41db7e0f772ed3&topic=1785.0
IDNIYRA bulletin board has more info- click above and scroll down to latest announcements-
Load ’em up!
James “T” Thieler
12 Channing St.
Newport, RI 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Central Lakes Champs
Hello All-
We may be snowbound pretty much everywhere here in the east but in the Central Lakes Region rumors are circulating about good ice for their regional champs this weekend…. Could be Ohio, not too bad of a drive….
Stay tuned and in the meantime be advised that those folks throw a great regatta and a better party!
The trip will be worth it- Great chance for new sailors (Neil…) to sail a decent sized regatta!
The Eastern Region will be represented by the usual road warriors and maybe some fresh faces- If you want to go and live near RI email me and we can work on logistics….
Think Ice!
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
DN Gold Cup Pics and Vids
Hey Folks- I’ve come across some pictures and video from the DN Gold Cup last week- thought I’d send it along for you enjoyment / recon….
http://douglaslevy.zenfolio.com/iceyachts
This is actually a set of photos from our attempt to get the Eastern Champs off a few weeks ago-
http://www.cefirmbach.com/galleries/iceboat/2015dn_na/index.html
This set of photos by Cathy Firmbach is from up by the weather mark during the windy races that would have been the NA championship had we not been blown off the ice later that day- Thanks Cathy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxsEOoCZ_2s&x-yt-ts=1422411861&x-yt-cl=84924572
From the calm day of racing at the Gold cup- some very cool drone footage!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4oo4gaHfpc
A local news video about the racing- if you speak French or Polish you may get something out of it- if not the footage is great! Another windy day….
Full results on DN Bulletin Board and Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club sites.
http://dnamerica.org/forum/index.php?board=24.0
http://www.iceboat.org/seasons/14-15/dn/worlds/2015%20World%20Finals.pdf
Looking forward to more sailing when the snow is gone….
Think Ice! T
James “T” Thieler
12 Channing St.
Newport, RI 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
DN NA’s called off….
Bummer…. Big drifts on the ice this AM after big snow last night means big bummer for all….
Would have been nice to get one more race in yesterday but the breeze over max when the call wAs made to send everyone in and ten minutes later it was blowing almost 40mph! Good call John Atkins!!
Pics below of Eben and Eric delivering the bad news…
Season far from over- If you have ice tell the world about it! We all have sailing to do!
Stay tuned, T
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James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
New England Ice Yacht Association 