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
Whether oh Weather its all about the Weather or Not…
Weather or not…
Or should I say just more of what we know to be the reality of New England and ice boating in general. Reports have been pouring in about newly sailed ice in NH on Sunapee as well as Winnipesaukee. Winni was checked as a DN Gold Cup site but it was not to happen this time around.
Conditions have remained either stable or improved on most of the places people were sailing in CT and MA.
Question is how much crap will fall from the sky tonight and into tomorrow and how far north the front’s edge will go. If your local you know what the weather is doing if not reach out to someone who is before driving. Club contact info is in the members tab at the top. If you have forgotten your password just drop me an email john@neiya.org
Check out the CIBC’s site http://iceboat.me for local ice they are scheduled to hold the Commodores Cup on Chickawaukie Pond in Rockland ME. It’s on the coast so again weather is coming.
Looking at the maps Winni and Sunapee may be spared.
– Lake Sunapee State Beach in Newbury NH
– Lake Winnipesaukee, Brewster beach in Wolfeboro NH
Remember i’m relaying what I learn from the neiyaicereports group (send mail to neiyaicereports.wiggio.com) rumors and such. There is more out there lets get reports in next week after this weather event clears on by.
Good luck to our Gold Cub contenders up in Kingston ON. Sail fast boys and bring home some silver!
Sail fast, sail heads up, sail safe and watch out for hazards,
John Stanton
NEIYA Vice Commodore
Blown Out….
So it goes…. Bitter cold yesterday, excessively high winds today for the DN EASTERNS….
Big bummer as we had a good group of enthusiastic sailors on hand. Alas it was not to be.
On to The Big Show- Scouting a site is key- If you see a big plate of ice call it in!
Think Ice, T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Update continued….
Sorry folks, accidentally hit the send button before that last masterpiece was done-
We have a complex weather situation overnight but are hoping to squeeze the race in tomorrow AM- We have about a dozen die-hard sailors staying overnight and a lot of new faces in the group-
Not too late to come give it a go! Skippers meeting and registration at the marina on the west side of the causeway, opposite Sand Bar State Park. 9AM sharp!
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
DN EASTERNS Update
It’s a tie for first at the EASTERNS- All to play for in a no holds barred showdown tomorrow….
Just kidding- Bitter cold temps kept racers off the ice for most of the day today- We do have a sailable plate and will be hoping to get the regatta done tomorrow.
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Sand Bar Sign Missing
Be advised the sign for Sand Bar State Park is down for the winter- Look for the empty sign post, a split-log fence, and a little brown gate house! Vans and boats starting to roll in….
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Racing and non race sailing options this weekend Jan 17-18
But wait, there’s more… A whole lot more than just premium racing. It’s been cold and we all know what that means. Ice… and ice that’s sailable.
We have gotten some information in on the neiyaicereports email list but I really know we could be sharing more information as a group. Come on people don’t hold back. You and a few buddies might know about a sailable plate but what about the new guys or those who may want to try out a different venue? Pass on the good news.
Sorry for the delay in relaying info from the neiyaicereports group but life has been running me around just a little too much. Could really use some help can you pitch in and help pull these reports together?
If your not on your way to VT. Even if your not racing T and company found some nice ice.
Long Pond, Lakeville, MA
As always check with the locals regarding current and likely hazards. Bill Converse wanted to remind anyone Long Pond has a history of pressure Ridges popping up almost out of no where. one of our long time sailors found one last week.
Launch location
https://www.google.com/maps/place/41%C2%B046%2759.2%22N+70%C2%B055%2746.2%22W/@41.7840442,-70.9289715,270m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0?hl=en
Webster Lake Webster, MA
Good conditions have been reported and sailors will be out in force. Launch from Webster Sailing Association club Check with locals for information
Launch Location
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Webster+Sailing+Association/@42.038623,-71.829691,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x53771a20943900a
Bantam Lake Bantam, CT
Bantam was sailed last weekend and all reports are looking good for tomorrow.
Launch Location
https://www.google.com/maps/place/41%C2%B042%2745.4%22N+73%C2%B013%2738.6%22W/@41.708416,-73.2282585,14z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0?hl=en
Thanks to all those who passed on ice report info
That’s all the info that has come in. Remember I can only report what I heard so send it in
Sail fast and safely,
John Stanton
NEIYA Vice Commodore
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 regatta update
I spent the day sailing tomorrow’s regatta venue and there is plenty of good ice. Today’s snow event left about an inch of fluffy light snow on top of a good 4" of very nice ice. It was starting to drift up by the end of the day but tomorrow promises to be a very nice day with sun and 10 to 12 knots of breeze more than enough to power through.
We could use some volunteers to help keep score and drop flags. We can promise large amounts of praise, gratitude and a front row seat to the action for those who help out. Always a good time.
Everyone is welcome to participate in the racing. DNs of all levels are enociursgebto joinnin and we are more than happy to start any class ot three or more boats. All we ask is that you are members of the NEIYA.
One potential issue is parking at the Leavitts beach launch site. There is minimal plowed parking space on the beach but there is a good sized plowed parking lot on your left before you enter the beach parking lot. So please move your car to the upper lot after unloading.
There are miles of ice to explore and race on but there are several hazards to be aware of so make sure to debrief with someone who knows what’s up before heading out. Be safe. See you tomorrow.
Oliver Moore
Doc Fellows Regatta ON
We are going to attempt to sail the Doc Fellows regatta this Saturday, Jan 8th, out of Leavitt Park on the northern end of Lake Winnipesaukee. The launch site address is:
Leavitt Park
50 Leavitt Park Rd
Meredith NH 03253
We will have a skippers meeting at 10 am in the pits at the beach. We will attempt to get at least a 3 race regatta in on Saturday and if we can’t we will try again Sunday.
Any and all club member DNs are welcome to participate in the racing. Also if any others want to race we are happy to drop flags for any other class with 3 or more boats.
It sounds like there will also be a kitewing demo being run out of the same beach. It sounds like there is about 4" of ice stretching all the way down Bear Island and the pictures are pretty stunning. Plenty of room for cruising and racing alike.
See you there!
Oliver
Ice Reports How To
There has been a little confusion about the new set up so hopefully this will answer some questions.
Wiggio is simply a tool to manage email lists among a group. It operates in a very similar fashion to the yahoo groups and any other email chain you have been involved with.
If you want to reply to an email from the group you have two options:
1) Hit reply and whatever you say will be sent to the entire group.
2) If you only want the sender of the email to receive your reply scroll down to the bottom of the email and click the "Reply to only the sender" link.
If you want to start a new discussion, for example if you have a report from a different location you want to share with the group you send an email to:
neiyaicereport
If you want to want to receive the ice report emails send an email to john at:
john
and you will receive an invitation email with a link to follow. Follow that link and set up an account. Club membership is not required but we would really appreciate it if you would support our effort by joining. You can pay membership dues through paypal on the club website:
theneiya.org
Those are the basics. If you go to wiggio.com and log in you can see all the past reports. If you lose reports in your crowded email inbox you will be able to find them there.
If you have any questions feel free to contact John. Or me. Better John as he’s the one who really knows what’s going on and I would probably just ask him.
Oliver Moore
NEIYA Regatta Chairman
Mid Week Status Report
We are making ice. Cold temps around the North East and lots of places have skimmed over.
Vermont doesn’t sound like she has much to offer. Big breeze has been an issue. Inner Malletts Bay is frozen but it sounds like there are some good sized open spots in the middle.
In New Hampshire Winni has started to lock up. I got a report of 2 inches of ice at levetts beach and they are going back tomorrow to scout and hopefully sail.
Similarly the guys in Maine are going to check the southern bay of Lake Sebago which had 1.5" of fresh ice today.
There looks to be some sort of snow event on Friday which could jam us up but we will see what reports come back tomorrow. Other than that it is shaping up to be a good weekend for ice boating. My intention is to pick a location for the Doc Fellows regatta based on tomorrow’s scouting reports.
Please keep sending in any and all reports.
Think Ice!
Oliver
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.
New England Ice Yacht Association 