DN Worlds DONE!
Hey Folks- Four races today saw the completion of the DN Worlds.
Shifty breeze in the morning was the least of the problems in getting races started (don’t ask….) but once flags started dropping it was fast and furious racing all day in light to medium breeze.
Karol Jablonski had to work for this one as his Polish teammates put the heat on- They claimed the top three spots with Ron Sherry as top American in fourth. Yours truly was a distant sixth but I’ll take it!
Honorary New Englander Bob Crinion took third in Silver and our own Eben Whitcomb was able to take tenth despite the distraction of organizing this whole regatta- Which he did in fin fashion. He is also a hell of an emcee!!! Awards ceremony was short and sweet-
Thanks as always to RC, scorers, mark movers, Kingston YC, our agents, managers, wives, girlfriends, bosses, co-conspirators….
North Americans tomorrow- Stay tuned!
T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Postponed….
Astute readers of these reports will know that I described yesterday as right on the edge….
Today is colder and windier so we are bagged for the day- Bummer….
Stay tuned- T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
DN Worlds- Big Day!
Cold temps…. BIG breeze, gusts that I would describe as “violent” along with bitter cold temps and blowing snow made for a big day- Much carnage, a few broken masts, a plank or two ripped off, at least one blown up boat, and several spin outs upwind and down- It was wild enough for me!
Lots of sailors in survival mode around the track but the top guys can push it in that stuff- Very impressive to see and a big goal to work toward.
Results up on idniyra bulletin board, Ron Sherry top Yankee with Jim Hadley and Steve Orlebeke in top ten after two races- Top three spots held by Polish team. As I said, pretty impressive!
Hope all are weathering the big storm ok- Sounds like a beauty!
Will see what today brings- Stay tuned!!
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
DN Worlds Update
Silver qualifier done yesterday and two thirds of Gold Fleet race number one done before breeze fizzled and race was black flagged…. It was fun while it lasted!
First start at noon today due to outside temps best measured on the Kelvin scale…. Good breeze though, hope we can get a few in today!
Stay tuned…. Pic is our own John Atkins, PRO, making the call.
Our hosts at Kingston yacht club have been great- Fantastic clubhouse w food and drinks and heat on premises- If you ever have the chance to sail here don’t miss it!! The Canadian Champs have been here a few years in a row- Plan on gettin up here!
Hope all ready or the upcoming storm- Good luck!
T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
DN Worlds Started
Great day of practice racing followed by flag-raising ceremony-
Bittersweet moment as Cathy Firmbach raised the DN class flag on US 500 while a funky James Brown song blared over the sound system! A fitting tribute to Rich Crucet.
Bit of snow falling now but hopefully not enough to slow things down too much tomorrow….
Stay tuned! T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
DN Worlds
Greetings Folks! Comkng to you live from…. Wait for it….. Drum roll please……
Kingston, Ontario! The final week leading up this regatta is always a hectic one- we had scouts all over the COUNTRY out looking for ice and trying to get permits and permission to use various lakes and when the dust settled Kingston had the right facility (Kingston Yacht Club, actually founded as an ice yacht club), town (city of Kingston psyched to have us) and lastly a SWEET sheet of ice. Weather for the week looks ok too- Knock wood…
Looks like the planets are lining up- Plenty of people still on the way, looks like a good contingent made the trip over from Europe, and of course the usual suspects from North America
Practice and opening ceremony today, race 1 tomorrow- Stay tuned!!
T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
EASTERN DN CHAMPS LODGING
We are still on for the weekend- Load ’em up and get moving gang! Let’s make this a good one…
Lodging here:
Quality Inn
Exit 16 off rt. 89
84 South Park dr.
Colchester, VT 05446
802 655 1400
Ask for the DN Iceboat rate
Think ice!
*There is a great Italian Restaurant right across the street
2015 EASTERN REGIONAL DN CHAMPS ARE “ON”!!!
OK folks, the Eastern Regionals have been called ON for this weekend- this could be the last chance to get tuned up before the Big Show next week- Would be great to see everyone there sailing in a big fleet so load up and hit the road and head for Sand Bar!
The Date- This weekend, Saturday and Sunday January 17-18
The Place-Sand Bar state park: 1215 US 2 Milton, VT 05468
http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/sandbar.htm
Directions- Take 89N to Exit 17 onto 2W
There are Hotels off exit 16 on 89S. We are working on a group rate that should be posted tomorrow by 1pm. Stay tuned to NEIYA site and IDNIYRA bulletin board for further details.
See y’all soon!
James “T” Thieler
12 Channing St.
Newport, RI 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Eastern Champs- Volunteers Needed!
Hello All-
We are hoping to get the Eastern Regional Champs in this weekend- Still zero-ing in on a site but we have high hopes!
We would be very psyched to have a starter/scorekeeper for this one! If you or anyone you know would be willing to come out on the ice to drop flags and write numbers down you will be rewarded with gratitude, drinks, dinner, karma points, toe warmers, whatever it takes! Best seat in the house….
Contact T. Thieler at 401 258 6230 or Eben Whitcomb at 860 304 6319 if you can volunteer yourself or know someone who can help out.
Stay tuned for more info- look forward to hearing from you!
Think Ice!!
T
James “T” Thieler
12 Channing St.
Newport, RI 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Eastern Regional DN Champs NOR
With the Doc Fellows on hold we move on to the Easterns this weekend…. and then The Big Show…. See you all this weekend- If you have a good sheet of ice let us know where it is!
Thanks in advance, T US 5224
NOR here:
IDNIYRA Notice of Race2015 Eastern Region DN Championship
Dates: January 17-181. Rules:
All races will be governed by the Racing Rules of the NIA (National Iceboat Authority) and the the By-Laws of the IDNIYRA.2. Eligibility:
Open to All DN class yachts meeting the requirements of the Official Specifications and whose skippers are in good standing with the IDNIYRA are eligible. Proof of personal liability insurance ($300,000) will be needed at the time of registration.3. Site Information and Postings:
A. Eastern Region, United States
B. Site Information will be posted on the NEIYA Hotline: 508-377-6100 #8
C. When determined, Site Information will be posted on the IDNIYRA bulletin board, theneiya.org and the Iceboating Yahoo Group.4. Races:
A. Three race minimum will constitute a regatta. Maximum of 9 Races with a drop race after 6 races have been completed
B. First race scheduled for 11:00am Saturday, January 17.5. Registration is 10:00am on the ice in the Pits.
6. Sailing instructions will be posted at the launch site. Final sailing instructions will be delivered at skippers meeting before first race.
7. Trophies – This regatta has great historic trophies. I am seeking the location of all these trophies and information on the early years of this regatta. Please contact me at catkins4487
Chad Atkins
401 787 4567
Doc Fellows Postponed
Well folks sometimes the puzzle just won’t fit together….
Today we had ice…. Breeze…. A great turnout…. A few new faces…. A few faces we haven’t seein in DN’s in awhile…. And a bit too much snow. Drifts and clean spots made for tough sailing and control issues as the breeze built. After one bad wipeout and a few near misses we decided to err on the side of caution and pack it in.
Bummer but we’ll be back at it SOON!
Thanks to all who showed up and thanks to Heather for volunteering to keep score on a cold and windy day! She told me she jumped out of a perfectly good airplane once so maybe standing on a frozen lake all day with out of control boats flying by doesn’t seem all that crazy- Thanks Heather!
Stand by for next week’s agenda….
James “T” Thieler
12 Channing St.
Newport, RI 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Doc Fellows, Easterns, WORLDS!!
Serious low temps over the next few days are raising hopes for getting the Doc Fellows run this weekend (Jan 10-11), followed by the Eastern States DN Champs next weekend (Jan 17-18). Both followed by the Worlds and NA’s from January 24-31. We are anxious to get these going for more than the usual reasons of just having some great regattas- READ ON- THIS IS IMPORTANT.
As you know the DN World and North American champs are being hosted (and hopefully actually run) in the Eastern Region. Our own Eben Whitcomb is the Eastern Regional DN Class Commodore and has the massive task of organizing this whole event- He is doing a great job but this is a big job which requires time and effort and manpower and infrastructure- All of which we could use a hand with- Here goes, in no particular order:
ICE- We need a big plate of ice- well over 100 boats are expected so a small pond or bay won’t do. Must have a good launch area with plenty of parking and hopefully a big hotel or two nearby. So the ulterior motive for the next two weekend regattas is to get people out and scouting! Everyone normally does an awesome job scouting and reporting but we are asking everyone to take it up a notch and find the perfect plate somewhere east of Ohio for a change!
VOLUNTEERS- We have most of the regatta management positions filled but we can always use more hands to run this thing- if you are interested in volunteering to help out in any way contact Eben Whitcomb.
ATV’s- When running a big regatta like this you can’t have enough 4-wheel ATV’s to move marks, move people, move starting lines, and move boats that aren’t sailable. So far we have one or two lined up but depending on where we go they may or may not be available. They also need to be transported to and from the site, which means a suitable tow vehicle and trailer should be part of the mix- This is a big ask to say the least but we are swallowing our pride and begging:
IF YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW OWNS OR CAN BORROW, RENT OR STEAL AN ATV FOR THE WEEK PLEASE CONTACT EBEN IMMEDIATELY!! Our eternal gratitude as well as dinners and drinks and many karma points will be added to your account with the cosmos…
Jokes aside we need ATV’s and people. PLEASE contact Eben at 860 304 6319 or ebenw3 to help out.
Many Thanks and THINK ICE! Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible at this great event and at the next two weekends as well!
James “T” Thieler
12 Channing St.
Newport, RI 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
2014 NE Champs Results
Here it is folks- GREAT ice, puffy shifty breeze, 8 boats…. Not the biggest regatta ever but we got ‘er done and had an awesome day. Nice way to ring out the year!!
1. T Thieler. 4
2. Greg Cornelious. 6
3. Doug Raymond. 9
4. Dave Fortier. 14
5. Steve Madden. 14
6. Ed Adams. 17
7. Chris Mayer. 30
8. Andrew Pimental. 38
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
2014 New England Champs DONE
Hey Folks- We pulled it off- 2014 NE champs done and dusted.
A small but elite fleet sailed on some AWESOME ice in decent breeze and got six races in.
Results will be up soon but now it’s time to eat a big dinner and not even try to stay awake until midnight.
Great way to wrap up the year- Here’s to the upcoming season!!
Recap
Cheers, T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
2014 New England Champs ON!!
Based on a good report this AM we are calling the New England’s on for tomorrow at Pushaw Lake near Bangor, ME. Launch will be from Goulds Landing at the south end of the lake
Skippers meeting in the launch area at ten, first race at eleven.
THERE IS AT LEAST ONE OPEN AREA NEAR THE LAUNCH- we are hoping this will lock up but as always don’t venture out onto the plate without talking with people who have already been out.
That is all for now- Stay tuned to this site for further details.
See y’all tomorrow!!
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
New England Champs Update
The primary site for the 2014 New England Champs (Pushaw Lake near Bangor, ME) was scouted today and found to still have cracks and hazards. Cold temps tonight and tomorrow may lock it up but we can only call a regatta “on” tentatively at this point-
So we are still hoping to get a regatta in on Wednesday but only if we get some good news tomorrow-
IN THE EVENT that we do get race-able ice on Pushaw the launch site will be announced here, the first start will be at 11AM, scoring will be done using “The Maine System” unless someone wants to volunteer, and three or more boats of any class will get their own start. NIA rules apply, waivers must be signed and bring proof of insurance as usual. Come one come all, novice to expert- rookies and old boats welcome- Will have a prize for the top “Classic”….
We have also been hearing some good news from our eyes in the skies about the northern end of Lake Champlain…. More on this story as it develops! Could be some good sailing in the first days of the new year.
Stay tuned to this site for details- fingers crossed!
T
James “T” Thieler
Maine Ice / Regatta Potential
Quick update gang-
The bad news: Pushaw Lake up near Bangor was sailed yesterday and some cracks and thin spots were found- No injuries and minimal drama I’m happy to report. Careful on that early season ice, folks!
The good news: Apart from those hazards the plate is pretty good and some very cold nights are on the way that hopefully will lock it all up by Wednesday-
Thanks to the Maine guys for the scouting and reporting- see the CIBC site for the full report and analysis http://iceboat.me/
So we are still thinking of a New Year’s Eve Regatta (actually the 2014 New Englands) this Wednesday-
Stay tuned to this site and get your gear ready! Time to get this season going!
Think Ice!
T
Regatta News???
OK folks, we didn’t get the New England Champs in last season and with the clock ticking down on the year we are toying with the idea of a mid-week regatta; most likely this Wednesday…. Here is the thinking:
1- We are getting reports of ice up in Maine- people are sailing Pushaw Lake up near Bangor today, if it’s good we may have a venue. Far enough north that sailors from the far side of the St. Lawrence can get there too!
2- Weather looks a bit “iffy” over the weekend but better starting about Tuesday.
3- While we generally sail on weekends we figure most people are off this week anyway and we can give about three days notice so people can plan and travel.
4- As mentioned above it would be good to get the 2014 NE champs in the books.
5- The Gold Cup and North American Champs are around the corner and we all need to do all the sailing we can before then!!!
6- It’s just plain time to get this season going! So plan on a mid-week regatta, get your gear loaded up and ready, tell the family you are gonna be stepping out out for a little while on New Year’s Eve, and stay tuned to this site for details!
Think Ice!! T.
Does Your Kitchen Look Like This?
If the dishes are piling up but your boat is looking all clean and put together your priorities are either perfectly in order or way out of whack.
If you’ve been stepping over the DN on your kitchen floor for at least a week without giving it a thought that may shed a little light on your gram of mind…
But it may be time to get the boat out of the kitchen/garage/shop/living room and on the car because we are getting reports from our gang in Maine about some potentially sweet sailing spots- See the CIBC site for details- Get crackin’ folks!
Think Ice!
James “T” Thieler
TUNE-UP CLINIC TODAY!!
Up and at ’em folks, the Tune Up Clinic is today! Looking forward to seeing everyone, novices and veterans alike, at Steve Lamb’s shop later today-
See boats and gear, get some blades tuned up, see the gang, learn a few things, and enjoy some hot food and cold drinks….
Date, time and address is below, for more details and directions scroll down the page a little-
Cheers! T
Saturday, December 13th
11:00 to 3:00pm
Arthur C. Lamb Co
85 Jackson St., Canton, MA 02021
Bruised, Sore, And Psyched
Greetings from the proud highway-
We are headed home following a stellar day on the ice- Good breeze, clear ice, three races for each fleet (DN Gold, DN Silver, Renegade and Ice Opti). Full-on, warped out high speed sailing! Awesome.
Flat sails and flat runners were the order of the day- That and keeping your head out of the boat and keeping it moving forward- FAST!
The charge was led by Ron Sherry with John Dennis and Mark “The Doctor” Christensen rounding out the top three- Yours truly in fourth after making Ron look over his shoulder all day…. Oliver and Eric stayed high in the top ten- Our Canadian friends did well too- All shits and grins!! See Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club page for full results-
We used Darling marks and eliminated the safety zone at the finish to the delight of all- The course is way safer and not dealing w the safety zone is (ironically) less dangerous and makes life for the committee much easier- Many more races per day are possible with this system!! More on all of this later….
Thanks to John Dennis for dreaming this event up, to Springers Restaurant for hosting us (great parking lot and even better once you get inside!), to Deb Whitehorse and Loretta Rehe for scoring, Peter ? For being race committee- All much appreciated!
And what update would be complete without an action photo from the back of the van? For your viewing pleasure, behold the team…
Think Ice!
James “T” Thieler
Western Challenge, Day One
Hey Folks-
Some good sailing out here in Wisconsin! Very good ice and decent breeze saw about five races done- Over seventy boats showed up so we have good racing in Gold and Silver fleets-
Some real talent in the Gold and some classics in the Silver! Put this one on your list for next year…
Enough speed and rig bending going on to remind us all why we make the trip!
New England showing well, see the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club website for results.
Great as yesterday was I have to say that there are a lot of dinged and damaged boats- Not sure why but there were more than the normal number of scrapes and bumps- Maybe early in the season, I dunno. All I can say keep your eyes open and sail safe-
Think Ice!! T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Last Minute Prep….
Madison Wisconsin, 4:30 AM. Room #123 at the AmericInn looks like this as it gets turned into a last-minute runner aligning shop….
Ah, the glamor of ice-yachting!
Think Ice! T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
And So It Begins….
Greetings from the proud highway!
The Great Western Challenge begins tomorrow-
Traditionally held the first weekend of December in Minnesota it’s been relocated this year due to- get a load of this- INSANELY GREAT ICE IN MADISON, WI. So the impossible does happen now and then…. So we are headed to Madison where the cheese is plentiful and the accents can’t be beat….
Should be cool- There will be DN’s and also Skeeters and Renegades sailing, one of the cool things about Madison- All kinds of iceboat activity-
Already on the way are at least two from NJ, four from NE, six from NS, maybe two from PA, several from ON, and a few truly hardcore from Europe. Add in all the usual nutcases from the Midwest and you Eb up with a big event! Semi-informal racing Fri-Sun…. Not too late if you want to join the party!! See the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club website for details….
Enjoy the pics- It’s the Chicago skyline, Art Samson driving and Oliver in the back doing what he does best-
Stay tuned and Think Ice!
T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
New England Ice Yacht Association 