Maple Syrup and Iceboating
John Bushy is a Minnesota DN sailor who, like most Iceboaters, has other unique interests in the off season…
One of his is making maple syrup! He says they made 15 gallons in a day last week. They just ordered 1000 bottles…. they must be on a roll!
He works with his sons Zane and Sam. Here they are keeping an eye on things
And here is the works- or whatever the proper name is…. John says they throw in “an armful of wood every three-four minutes!”
If you’re lucky he will fill one of these for you- I recommend it highly!
Maybe The Last Gasps of the Season
Lake Wentwork 3/8/20
We heard from the folks in Maine, the gang that crossed our Northern border to take the Canadian DN nationals. Way to go, T add one more notch. Bill Buchholz drew a good crowd for the Mille 100. If you haven’t read the write up on the CIBS’s site click here. What’s next? Time will tell and it may just be a very long time till we return to the ice.
Keep the faith maybe we will sail Moosehead Lake in Maine again and after that a postseason off ice gathering. More on that in the next few days.
Below is an account of Sundays sail on Lake Wentworth in NH by John Pepper. This is John’s first season and he sails Roger Livingston’s old boat.
Think Ice,
John
DN5023
john@neiya.org
John Pepper and Charlie Silfvenius AKA Charlie S. Lake Wentworth 4/8/20
It was a great day until ice got soft. 6 or 8 boats altogether. Gusts up to 20 at times made for some fast runs.
We had newcomer Marc Stipo and his 13-year-old boys, all summer sailors, show up. Marc took a DN out numerous times and declared ‘I am hooked’. It was too gusty to send the boys out alone on their first rides, but they each got a ride in the sidecar, and want to go again. Hitting 30 mph may have been the clincher.
We had an epic cell phone recovery at the end of the day. Finding a lost phone on a 3100 acre lake was a matter of waiting until wind slowed, starting downwind, and walking upwind, making calls on occasion. Cupped hands over the ears provided direction info. We first heard it from a half-mile away and closed in 100-yard increments. We got lucky. Charlie was the last boat off Wentworth yesterday, maybe for 2020?
Regards,
John P.
Moscow….
Mike Bloom is walking around Moscow and notes that you see cool stuff like this around every corner…. Look forward to more from him as he makes his way to Baikal!
More Livng Room…..
Lee Spiller saw the photos of Valentine and Truesdell working on planks in the living room and couldn’t help but send his own along for us- He says:
“After your post showing the guys working in the living room I had to send you this. My living room right now! You could probably be sent a number of simular photos!
Lee Spiller
PS I partially tore off the bottom layer of glass on my gambit plank in a deep slushy shell ice pit while sailing Winni the long way a week ago.”
Looks like the fix is well under way…. Thanks Lee!
Cheers to Canada & to Frosty (David Frost DN5358)!!!
Karen Binder & David Frost at 2020 Canadian Nationals
Hi Everyone,
Last weekend’s 2020 Canadian Nationals had great sailors, great wind, and great ice for mid- March. The weekend also provided me with a lot of opportunity to reflect on how far I have come in a year’s time. Some of my posts have mentioned my hiccups last year. In my first ever regatta, I was lapped in several races and I got pulled around by my plank after a bad start. On a practice day in VT I flew out of my boat at the leeward mark and during another day of scratch racing in MA I was in a significant collision which resulted in my hull being shattered and painful whiplash and headaches for weeks.
Last year’s 2019 Canadian Nationals was about eight weeks after my collision. Those weeks were spent recuperating and working with T to get a new boat ready. When they called everyone to the line that morning I was overwhelmed with nervousness and I quickly decided I was going to sit out and watch the first race. I soon saw how on bigger ice with a big course the fleet spreads so by the second race I felt safe enough to join in for the rest of the regatta, but I finished in 21st place. Not great. But I had gotten back on the proverbial horse and that felt good.
I guess one would say I don’t give up easily on things and I am pretty sure my competitive nature started in third grade. My teacher held a "multiplication bee" for our classroom. It was single elimination and it came down to me and this very cute boy with brown curly hair and blue eyes. His name was Andrew Keegan. I’d liked him since Kindergarten. I literally asked myself, "Hmm, I like Andrew. Should I let him win?" Something took over and I won the multiplication bee on 12X9 and went home with a real Silver Dollar as my prize.
So, last winter during a very nice dinner in Augusta, Maine during the Easterns T, "Frosty"/David Frost, his lovely daughter, Audrey, and I were talking. I’d never met Frosty before. I asked the usual questions…where do you live?…what kind of work do you do?…when did you start ice boating?
We were all having a great time. THEN DAVID SAID IT…."It takes TEN years to get good at this sport."
I let Frosty’s statement sink in. It was my first regatta and I was clearly awful. Later that night I asked T in a shaky voice, "Is it really going to take me ten years?" I am positive he said something encouraging and supportive, but honestly I can’t remember it. I just kept hearing "Ten Years… Ten Years… Ten Years." I was 49 years old. At this point, who has ten years to get good at anything?
So, I came to a decision. It was not going to take me ten years. At the start of this season I used Frosty’s comments as a source of inspiration and motivation.
Last weekend, at the 2020 Canadian Nationals, in two different races I was third going into the windward mark. In one race I was rounding right behind Ron Sherry and T. Sure, I totally BLEW IT downwind, but I was behind Ron and T going around the first windward mark rounding in a race! And, then in another race Ron was behind me at the first windward mark rounding. He said at dinner, "Karen, I saw you up there at the windward mark with us. Griffin and I passed you to windward and leeward just as we were rounding, but you were THERE."
I gulped. That was a huge compliment in my book.
I have shared my progress and challenges this season as a way for me to process this difficult sport. I am still struggling downwind and at the leeward mark roundings, but with more practice I know those things will get better. I am breaking this sport into chunks and working on certain elements at a time. It seems to help.
When the final results were posted, I chuckled a bit and found it ironically funny that I tied with "Frosty" David Frost for 11th place at the 2020 Canadian Nationals. The guy that said the magic words that motivated me all season. He got me in the end, but well done, David!
Frosty, Eben, Me, and T (congrats on the win T!))
As we were saying our goodbyes on Sunday in the parking lot, I did mentioned to Frosty that his new nickname from me might be "Decade Dave." We laughed. I have sincerely appreciated his support, his good nature, and his encouragement this entire season. Thanks Dave!
Maybe one more weekend of ice ahead..Bill B has scouts looking at Moosehead Lake in Maine and South Twin in Millimocket. His words…"We’re on it like hawks."
Cheers again to Canada and to Frosty!
Karen Binder
DN 5630
DN Candian Champs Photos
Thanks to Eben Whitcomb for sending these in from the Canadian Champs last weekend- Champagne sailing!
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- karen binder
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- pete van rossem
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- the fleet
Plank Project
Had to share this….
Here we see Scott and Pete back in February lining up and installing a new plank.
In a garage? No. In a workshop? Come on, be serious.
Of course they are in a living room, where all the important DN work seems to take place!
Gotta love it!
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Atkins And Moore In Scuttlebutt
Good to see that https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/ picked up the North Sails Newsletter about Atkins, Moore, and DN sailing in general.
Scuttlebutt has been a terrific supporter of our sport and it is much appreciated! Look forward to seeing more iceboat news on their site in the future.
DN Iceboating: Innovating for speed >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News
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Mike Bloom In Moscow
Minnesota DN sailor Mike Bloom is on his way to Baikal for the big spring event there-
He promised to send photos and reports as the trip goes on and here is the first one, looks like he is spending the night in Moscow- not a bad idea after a long flight from Minnesota.
He sent this photo from his hotel room:
His comment with this photo is ”I can’t remember the last time I traveled to an iceboat regatta and the first night on the road the hotel overlooked the Kremlin and Red Square!”
Has to be a thought provoking sight but I can’t help but wonder if the hotel has a good waffle iron in the breakfast area.
Looking forward to more- stay out of the gulag Mike!
Atkins And Moore In North Sails Newsletter
Some good insights from the RI duo in this article- Click and read!
DN Iceboating New England Champs: Family Fun | North Sails
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2020 Canadian DN Champs Report And Results
https://www.idniyra.org/2020/03/08/2020-canadian-nationals-report/
UPDATE March 9, 2020: The results have been updated.
2020 DN Canadian Championships Regatta
March 7, 2020Saturday morning saw cold temperatures from the night before which delivered hard ice for the duration of the regatta. Wind at 9:00 am was from the north and thanks to the race committee, the line was set for the 10:00 am start. Unfortunately, the wind dropped and backed to the west, southwest direction which meant that setting the line was just for practice. The line then was set in the middle of the Bay and two races were sailed. Unfortunately, a crack which was marked, grew beyond the marked area and found Ron Sherry which caused his plank and deck to be compromised. Fortunately, he was able to put together another boat and finish the regatta. The course was moved to beyond the crack and sailing resumed in the same location for the duration of the regatta.
Seven races were scheduled with one drop race after 7 races sailed. Races were banged off one after another, by the Race Committee who managed to get all 7 races in before the time limit of 16:00 pm. Peter Kraszewski, ran a tight ship as PRO along with his crew of scorers thanks to Louise, Andrew, Tom, Paul and Cindy. Spending the day on the ice, allowing the fleet to sail an awesome day of racing is much appreciated by the fleet. Thanks to everyone for stepping up.
The fleet also helped with setting marks, scouting, helping with the line and this was also a great help to make the regatta memorable. Thanks all for stepping in, asking what needed to be done and doing it.
The fleet thanks Colin Duncan for scouting the ice…turns out he also has talent in scouting restaurants as the fleet all enjoyed a private room in a nice Italian Restaurant. The results were presented at the dinner with James “T” Thieler winning the 2020 Canadian Championship. ‘T” is still having an awesome year after winning the North American Champs as well. Congratulation again T!
Just a note to some of the competitors that after the scores were tabulated in the parking lot with dimming light, I found a few small position changes today which effect some. I apologize for this. Final standings.
Thanks to the Halifax, Montreal, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Kingston fleets who participated, making this a great regatta.
Peter Van Rossem
KC 2766
2020 DN Canadian Championship Final Results
Sail # Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Race 4 Race 5 Race 6 Race 7 Total All Total ‐ Drop Over All Sail #
1 5224 5 1 1 1 2 2 1 13 8 1 5224 James T Thieler
2 5629 4 5 2 3 3 3 2 22 17 2 5629 Robyn Lagraviere
3 2766 3 2 4 5 1 4 6 25 19 3 2766 Peter Van Rossem
4 4 7 3 3 9 6 6 3 37 28 4 4 Griffin Sherry
5 1 24 24 2 4 1 4 60 36 5 44 Ron Sherry
6 4536 2 4 10 7 8 9 9 49 39 6 4536 Bob Crinion
7 5247 8 7 6 14 9 5 5 54 40 7 5247 Jacek Marzenski
8 5514 10 8 7 8 5 7 7 52 42 8 5514 John Curtis
9 5508 12 6 5 4 7 10 10 54 42 9 5508 Morgan Lagraviere
10 4360 9 11 9 6 10 12 24 81 57 10 4360 Andre Baby
11 5358 16 9 8 16 11 11 11 82 66 11 5358 David Frost
12 524 6 10 13 11 12 14 14 80 66 12 524 Karen Binder
13 637 15 14 15 12 13 8 8 85 70 13 637 Joe Meade
14 3786 11 12 12 13 16 13 15 92 76 14 3786 Warren Nethercote
15 4775 13 15 11 10 17 15 12 93 76 15 4775 Eben Whitcomb
16 5478 14 13 14 15 15 17 13 101 84 16 5478 Jack Goritski
17 18 5591 19 16 16 19 14 16 16 116 97 17 5591 Mike Webber
19 5127 17 20 17 20 24 19 17 134 110 18 5127 Hugh Stephens
20 3475 21 19 18 17 20 18 19 132 111 19 3475 Lester Druiven
21 5242 22 18 19 18 18 20 18 133 111 20 5242 Gord de Vries
22 5457 18 17 20 21 19 22 20 137 115 21 5457 Colin Duncan
23 5512 20 21 21 22 21 21 21 147 125 22 5512 Fred ?
24 4604 23 24 23 24 23 23 22 162 138 23 4604 Julian ?
Flying on the Bay of Quinte | Belleville Intelligencer
Nice write up about the Canadian DN champs here- click and read!
https://www.intelligencer.ca/news/local-news/flying-on-the-bay-of-quinte
And They’re Off
Photo and video courtesy Purshaw Lake resident Caryn
All,
I received an email from a local Purshaw Lake resident last night asking about the racing that was going on. She was kind enough to send along a video from her back porch earlier today. This video was shot from about halfway up the lake.
Bill Buchholz the NEIYA’s Cruising Chairman and the President of the Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club is the official organizer of the 100-mile Regatta. Further news and results will be published on CIBC’s site https:/iceboat.me later today.
Stay tuned for the Canadian DN Nationals report from T and Karen. Let’s see how our remaining ice survives the warm weather. Keep the faith for at least one more sail.
Think Ice,
John
DN5023
john@neiya.org
Late Breaking Ice Report From NH
All,
Not in Maine getting ready for the restart of the 100 Miler on Purshaw tomorrow. Jonesing for some ice? This just in from Charlie S. in New Hampshire. A group of sailors will be sailing Lake Wentworth in Wentworth, NH tomorrow. Best put in just up from the State Park toward Rt28 or at the state beach. Its a small lake you will figure it out.
Sail Fast,
John
DN5023
john@neiya.org
100 Mile Race Is ON – Sat 3/7 Pushaw Lake, ME
The 100 Mile Race has been called ON for tomorrow Saturday 7th on Pushaw Lake. The Lake is a little north of Bangor so get a move on if you are coming from the south.
Additional information, launch site, check-in, sailing instructions etc. will be posted by Bill Buchholz on www.iceboat.me
All those completing the epic trip will be rewarded with a custom sticker to dress up your boat, car, toolboax etc.
Sail Fast and Sail Long,
John
DN5023
john@neiya.org
CANADIAN DN CHAMPS LAUNCH AND DETAILS
Canadian DN Champs are ON for Saturday, March 7 2020!-
The site will be in Belleville, Ontario. Launch will be at the Potter’s Creek Conservation Area, on the south side of Old Highway #2 just across from Quinte Conservation, that address is
2061 Old Highway 2, Belleville, ON K8N 4Z2, Canada
Directions to the ice in case your digital gizmos aren’t working:
401 to Belleville
Exit 538, Wallbridge-Loyalist Rd. Head South
Turn Right on Dundas Street (Old # 2 Hwy)
First Left is Potters Creek Parking Lot
You can launch straight south to Bay of Quinte or there is Potters Creek to the East of the Parking Lot which might be shorter distance to the ice but requires crossing a ridge with boards.
Schedule of Events:
•Saturday at 8:00-9:30 on ice registration in the Pits
•Saturday at 10:00 am Skippers Meeting (On Ice At Start Line)
•Saturday after skippers meeting , First Start
•No race will start after 1600 Saturday
More details, NOR, SI’s in attachment.
The closest hotel to the launch is
RAMADA BY WYNDHAM BELLEVILLE
HARBOURVIEW CONFERENCE CENTER
11 BAY BRIDGE ROAD, BELLEVILLE ON K8P 3P6
Phone number for guests 613 968 3411 ext 0 or 1800 420 3555 ext 0.
Rates from Alison (Manager) are as low as $97.99 plus taxes, however rates are based on room availability at time of calling and which side of the Hotel you want.
Sailing Instructions are Attached. Copies will not be supplied on the ice at registration as stated in the Sailing Instructions.
Principle Race Officer will have a copy if required.
Again, if you plan to sail Friday, hug the North Shore until you are more than 1.5 mile or two KM West of the Green Nav Bouy or launch site. We have only scouted 1.5 miles West of Can and Launch site so please be careful sailing beyond. If you don’t know or understand, please call me.
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Peter Van Rossem Sr613.572.2232
petervanrossemsr
2020 DN Canadian Championship Sailing Instructions and NOR Final Draft BofQ.docx
Orienteering Video and Weekend Sailing….
Once again Bill Bucholz is on the prowl up there in Maine…. See what he has to say below- Thanks Bill!
Denis and Frank put this vid together… Take a look!
https://youtu.be/qWxVVBIuk7E
Looking to the weekend, both Pushaw and Kezar Lake appear to have fairly good surfaces and the forecast for both places is colder than what we’ll have on Damariscotta, with the best cold at Kezar. Big winds due north called for, which meants its coming right down the lake. Could be epic conditions for the I00 Mile Race.
Expecting pictures and a report later this morning.
Orienteering Video, Weekend Sailing
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CANADIAN CHAMPS ARE ON FOR SATURDAY
This Saturday, March 7th we intend on hosting the 2020 Canadian Championships on the Bay of Quinte.
Photo taken this afternoon at proposed launch site, Belleville Ontario.
We are also looking for volunteers in helping with this regatta. I will make sure you have front row sight of the mark roundings and starts. 😀 If you are interested in helping out, it would be very much appreciated. Please send me an email if you can help petervanrossemsr or call my number below.
Please make sure your insurance is up to date and you are covered for ice boat racing. Sending a copy of your proof of insurance to my email address is helpful if you intend on racing.
If the ice holds out for Sunday, we will do another unsanctioned regatta where we record our own finishes…I will hold the score sheet in case one would like up grade your score for a better finish.😀 Bribes accepted. (Not applicable for the Canadian Champs)
Stay tuned to the NEIYA site https://theneiya.org/ and IDNIYRA bulletin board http://www.dnamerica.org/forum/ for further details and updates.
Regards Peter Van Rossem
DN Europe Trip- The Thrilling Conclusion Part 5
The car all loaded up for the trip to Frankfurt…
Can just see some DN gear on the baggage truck….
All in one piece in Boston!
Stacked for the last 100 yards to the van… one more round of funny looks at the airport!
Back to the office…. ugh….
That is the whole batch! For sailing shots and good photos see Sean Heavey’s site at http://www.seanrheavey.com. That’s where you’ll find the good stuff!
DN Europe Trip- The Thrilling Conclusion Part 4
So we started the trip by eating eel at Der Spieker…. and now we wrap it up by eating seafood pizza at Torsten’s place. This particular pie had clams, mussels, and either the biggest crawdad I’ve ever seen or a lobster that was way too small to call a keeper…. in any case it was killed and grilled so I ate it. Delicious…
Down the hatch!
Delicious…
The claw….
Still more to come…
DN Europe Trip- The Thrilling Conclusion Part 3
This is a cool old church in Oldenburg… the story behind the big tree goes something like this:
A prince was madly in love with a woman who was a commoner. The king was less than thrilled and ordered his son to steer clear. He was so upset that he became very sick and passed away. The king decided that the reason his boy became ill was that the woman had put a spell on him. This being the case the king ordered her to get the axe in front of the church. She claimed to be innocent and on her way to the chopping block picked up a stick from the ground, dropped it next to the chopping block and said “My blood will touch this stick and it will grow into a tree- but only if I’m innocent”. So down came the axe, blood got on the stick, and now there is a big tree in the courtyard. Huh. Guess she was innocent after all… A typically upbeat story from that era! Fact check it if you dare…
This yard is so out of place and atypical I think it has to be an art project or something…
My rental car for the trip down to Frankfurt. Only had 8km on the odometer- makes me feel important! Nice ride….
Don’t believe me about the 8k? Take a look…
We all have seen JFK saying “Ich bin ein Berliner!” Some of us have heard that it translates literally to “I am a jelly donut!” Here is your proof…
Torsten Siems, home from a meeting and looking sharp as ever. Hard to believe that a guy this suave and classy is also a DNer! (DN G 666!)
Torsten is amazingly generous- let’s us stay at his house, eat his food, use his giant warehouse to set up boats, and laughs at our jokes. Thanks Torsten! We really do appreciate it!
More to come…
DN Europe Trip- The Thrilling Conclusion Part 2
Still more….
While driving in a MAJOR crosswind we had a roof rack malfunction. This masthead took the brunt of it and was dragged down the autobahn for a minute or so… have you drag it along on the other side and even it up!
One of our hosts, Torsten, has inspiring posters all over his office. Just like in the States only in the local slang….
This is on the wall at the Bad Zwischenahn Yacht Club. Basically says “The best captains are always sitting on land!” A nod to the Monday morning quarterbacks that seem to inhabit some clubs… love it!
One night we found out that the German basketball league final was starting in an hour. Oldenburg (our adopted hometown!) vs Berlin! Even though I know nothing about basketball and Sean the photographer knows even less we decided we’d better support the local squad. So we did what anyone would do in Oldenburg, Germany and trotted off to a Cuban-themed sports bar, drank Che Guevara Beer and Coca Cola, and watched the game on the big TV. I think Berlin won but it was close. No riots in the street- I think that is more of a Boston / Philly / LA thing…
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More to come….
DN Europe Trip- The Thrilling Conclusion Part 1
As we wait for weekend plans to finalize (very optimistic that lots of sailing will be going on) I thought I’d finish up my little travelogue… I think we left off on a ferry from Sweden to Germany. Here are some miscellaneous photos from the rest of the trip- The reflect the miscellaneous way my brain is “organized”….
Love coffee. These little cans of fun are fantastic
A nice house on a nice street in the nice town of Oldenburg, Germany
Jorg took us for a late breakfast. One menu (made of paper) caught on fire due to careless handling and real candles on the table. Long story. Won’t name the guilty party. It wasn’t me for once. Happy to report the place wasn’t burned down. That said, the server was less than impressed…
I can’t believe I took photos of food. It was that good.
Coffee with a little something extra…
More to come…
CANADIAN DN CHAMPS ON FOR SATURDAY!
This Saturday, March 7th we intend on hosting the 2020 Canadian Championships on the Bay of Quinte.
Photo taken this afternoon at proposed launch site, Belleville Ontario.
We are also looking for volunteers in helping with this regatta. I will make sure you have front row sight of the mark roundings and starts. 😀 If you are interested in helping out, it would be very much appreciated. Please send me an email if you can help petervanrossemsr or call my number below.
Please make sure your insurance is up to date and you are covered for ice boat racing. Sending a copy of your proof of insurance to my email address is helpful if you intend on racing.
If the ice holds out for Sunday, we will do another unsanctioned regatta where we record our own finishes…I will hold the score sheet in case one would like up grade your score for a better finish.😀 Bribes accepted. (Not applicable for the Canadian Champs)
Stay tuned to the NEIYA site https://theneiya.org/ and IDNIYRA bulletin board http://www.dnamerica.org/forum/ for further details and updates.
Regards Peter Van Rossem
New England Ice Yacht Association 