Good morning from Minnesota,

About twelve of us from New England are here and ready for the DN North Americans. We always seem to have great representation and I am sure the results will be strong for our group. Lake Waconia is the chosen spot, but T and Dave Frost, commodore of the IDNIYRA, spent the last two days driving between two locations in search of the best plate taking into consideration the upcoming weather. Two days ago Waconia had very hard "pancakes" or 2" raised bumps all over it and they made for significant challenges in big breeze. Warmer temperatures the last two afternoons have softened everything quite a bit which is fantastic.

With the wind predicted today, the more northern lake would have been just too hard on boats and bodies as no melting occurred. So, the final determination was to stay on Lake Waconia. What’s really weird is that the temperatures today are forecast to reach 60 F. That’s not a typo. And then by Tuesday night, the temperatures will drop to 6 F. Again, not a typo. We have no idea what the extreme fluctuations will cause.

With T scouting I have been sailing the last three days. Given how little sailing I have done this winter, it was great to scratch race with several others. Unfortunately, in the morning the hard bump caused my brake on one of my favorite front runners to flip over and got stuck beneath the runner while I was on a fast downwind leg. I stopped as soon as I could, but it was enough to cause a very significant gouge in the edge of the blade. No way to fix it before the regatta.

One of the challenges at the big regattas is equipment choice. You receive two stickers for your sail choice. Meaning, if you have three sails in your van you are only allowed to use two of them during the regatta. For runners, you receive nine stickers. With conditions being so variable it will make for important decisions each morning.

More to come as it all unfolds, melts, and then refreezes.

Karen Binder
DN 5630

8 boats on Wentworth today with wind to spare. Barn find stern steerer joined Cyclone for a thrilling day. One casualty as a BDX had a few issues. A ride on my gaffer helped make his day better. Back tomorrow as tonight’s low temps should give hard ice.

Lake Wentworth seemed to have survived the light snow which reflected the sun and kept ice firm. Depending on wind, could be a good sailing day tomorrow. A few hazards are growing so beware.

Hey Folks- looks like we are off to MN to duke it out for the NA champs.

We tried to find a spot to host this event out east but came up short…. Lakes too small, open water, snow, un-sail-able rough ice…. Just couldn’t put all the pieces together.

But not for lack of trying! Have to thank Chamberland, Roseberry, Bucholz, Zierman, Hill, Brush, Gervais, Silfvenius, and others for putting in the time and the miles. Kudos gang!

Anyway stay tuned to the IDNIYRA site for updates. And check NEIYA site for local sailing- sounds like plenty of good sailing to be had in NE this weekend and beyond!

https://www.idniyra.org/2024-dn-north-american-championship-called-on-for-waconia-mn/

We are coming up on the weekend and in front of our Thursday call here is what we know.

MA:
Quaboag Pond as reported by Bob S. has lost most of its snow but left a bumpy but looks to be sailable for the weekend. Bob will keep a watchful eye on it between now and the weekend.

NH:
Sunapee just keeps getting better and better according to people who sailed on Tuesday
Wentworth boats are still set up there more info to come out tomorrow
Winnipesaukee is looking good off of Leavitts and may well be a prime weekend destination more info to come

ME:
As reported by Bill Buchholz on iceboat.me Maine has a couple of venues with Damariscotta bubbling to the top

This year’s DN North American Championship was scheduled to take place in the Eastern Lakes Region. Despite the extraordinary efforts of James “T” Thieler, Bill Buchholz, Paul Chamberland, and Jeff Roseberry— who scoured both large and small lakes in Maine and John Zierman and Charlie (S) Silfvenius, who monitored conditions on Lake Champlain and Lake Winnipesaukee, respectively, suitable ice was not found. A contingent of NEIYA sailors is already en route or soon to depart for Lake Waconia, Waconia, MN. Updates on their westward progress and racing will be provided.

The sun is getting higher on the horizon every day. Don’t put off getting on the ice.

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

P.S. More content from Janet will be up soon.

Take a look!

https://www.idniyra.org/thinking-about-registering-last-minute-for-the-north-americans/

Another great afternoon on lake Wentworth.

Cyclone busting snow humps

.

This weekend not one but TWO rehabbed stern steerers made the ice on Lake Wentworth in NH. Dusty, the latest to rise from the ashes, just had a new set of sails sewn last spring. A few tweaks needed to fine tune her. But she sailed ok after stretching her bones. Cyclone makes her second showing since the restoration and performed as well as the skippers old bones would allow. To add to the celebration a newly rehabbed gambit glided over the ice as well.

Sunapee was once again by an assortment of boats on Sunday. Reports from the ice noted the wind has scoured much of the snow off the surface but there are still snow patches to steer around.

Maine has several opportunities available now and a couple new options being investigated. Check out the Chickawaukie Club’s site for details iceboat.me.

Boats are still set up on Wentworth in NH. This includes a newly restored stern steerer.

Echoing James “T” Thieler’s appeal for regatta-sized ice. If you see something say something. Scouters have been searching high and low but maybe something was missed.

We are heading into a mid-week warm-up phase so be alert for change.

More info as it come.

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

A good time was had by twelve boats. Multi classes represented from BDX to Wiz, DNs and a brand new pilot tearing it up on a lockley

Conditions varied with steady breaks from 10 to 15 and gusts in low 20s and some snow squalls in the heavier air.

The surface was light crusted snow on top that plates got a good smooth grip on. There are some soft boat stopping snow drifts.

People will be returning to state beach launch tomorrow. Come on down. If you are coming leave a comment to encourage others.

Sail Fast,

John

DN5023

John@neiya.org

Hey Folks-

Like everyone else we are needing some serious ice, but this is for the DN NA champs next week, starting the 25th.

If you have any intel on where a good sized plate (2 x 2 mile minimum) may be hiding with good access, plenty of parking, and a hotel or two nearby let us know! Email addresses are below.

This is your chance to be a hero! Thanks, T

Last night, the IDNIYRA Governing Group met to discuss the site selection for the 2024 North American Championship. A weather system is currently moving across the eastern part of the United States. Despite the usual challenges, we remain committed to finding the perfect location for the championship.

We are sending scouts to explore potential New England and Northern Minnesota sites and are monitoring conditions in Northern Michigan. On Tuesday, we have a conference call scheduled with a weather service to discuss the long-range forecast for the regatta. At present, we do not have a primary site secured. However, we are working hard to finalize our decision and plan to announce the chosen venue on Wednesday night, February 21, 2024.

Your assistance in this process is invaluable. If you have any information regarding potential regatta ice, please do not hesitate to contact your regional commodore. Stay tuned for further updates as we navigate through this process together.

Regional Commodores
Host Region – Eastern – James “T” Thieler t_thieler@yahoo.com
Canada – Colin Duncan – colinduncan439@gmail.com
Central Region – Peter Johanson – petejoh@med.umich.edu
Western Region – Chris Berger – berg820@yahoo.com