Most of you have probably met Deb Whitehorse at some point, and no doubt you’ve read her posts and websites. She works tirelessly behind the scenes to keep things organized and on track which, when dealing with a bunch of iceboaters, has to be a real challenge more often than not!

She recently received some very-well deserved accolades from WI TV, be sure to see it here:

Oh, Baby, It’s Cold Outside >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News (sailingscuttlebutt.com)

Many thanks for all you do for us Deb! We hope you’ll remember all of us now that you’re famous….

The weather isn’t making it easy on the site selection gang but we have faith…. Stay tuned to IDNIYRA home page for info-

Also it isn’t too late to register if you want to give it a go! Think ICE…

2022 U.S. Nationals Update #2 Jan 20 – DN North America (idniyra.org)

If you haven’t yet be sure to sign up for the DN National Champs!

The clock is ticking down, first race in three days and change….

Be sure to read the web page and get signed up before registration closes!

https://www.idniyra.org/2022-us-nationals/

Well, we all get an “A” for effort on this one… About fifteen boats showed up for the first NEIYA event of 2022, in fact the first one since 2020. Damariscotta Lake in Jefferson, ME was the place.

We had everything we needed- great ice (thanks to Bill and the Maine gang for scouting it and telling us about it), a great launch area (thanks to the folks at Camp Wavus), and plenty of competitors, from grizzled vets to total newbies (Let’s welcome Luke Ralph and his buddy Jonathon to the cult- uh, I mean club).

The missing ingredient was wind. Light and shifty all day, never settled down enough to get a full race in. Three were started, one completed but not enough to get a regatta in the books so we will give it another shot after the DN Nationals. Stay tuned to this site for details!

Of course the breeze did come up as the sun was setting and a few boats were able to spend some time ripping it up before packing it in and heading home. Plenty of socializing and catching up was done during the slow patches. A few new potential sailors came out and took their first rides as well, we hope they will follow up and get involved!

We will see what the crazy weather has done to the ice- Hope it is still intact as the surface was really nice, easily an 8 or so- As an aside I looked at the weather radar Sunday afternoon and saw that the system that was on the way stretched from Nassau, Bahamas to Ottowa, Canada and back down to Nashville, Tennessee. Pretty impressive!

Thanks to all who showed up and kept the hope alive- And to all the folks who tried out the older boats and would like to get involved feel free to email me at t_thieler@yahoo.com.

Think Ice!!

Tomorrow, Sunday January 16, the NEIYA is putting on the Doc Fellows for DN’s on Damariscotta Lake. Launch at Camp Wavus, Rt 213. Drive all the way in, keeping right, and park in front of the lodge. Ice plate will be on your right. It’s that huge expanse of black. Carry down the DN or whatever craft you may have.

Skippers meeting will be at 1030, first start at 1130. Registration will be at the launch- look for the person with the clipboard.

As always three or more of any class will get their own start and a thorough knowledge of the Racing Rules is a necessity. Note that there are some differences with the conventional soft water rules so review them here: Rules & Safety – DN North America (idniyra.org)

In addition, each sailor must provide proof of $300,000 personal liability at time of registration. Print a copy and keep it in your toolbox and/or take a picture of it and keep it in your phone.

There will be a Classic/Vintage award given out at the discretion of the Regatta Chairman so don’t hesitate to show up even if your boat is a little less than cutting edge!

For our out of state guests, The Damariscota lake Farm Inn is now open. No restaurant, but check here for accommodations: tracey

That’s tracey “at” damariscottalakefarm.com. The are also on Facebook.
Any questions or suggestions contact T Thieler at 401 258 6230.

Line ’em up!!

T Thieler DN US 5224 NEIYA Regatta Chair

OK Folks, we are gonna give it a go- Doc Fellows Regatta will be run this Sunday January 16 on Damariscotta Lake, launching in Jefferson, ME.

Apologies for the short notice but in iceboating you have to just roll with these things at times…

In any case plan on being up there Sunday AM- Stay tuned to this site for a formal announcement and details-

Keep in mind any class that shows up with three or more boats will have their own start and also there will be an award for the best finish in the oldest boat….

Think Ice and look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday!

Best, T

Known options for the weekend. Where people will be sailing, skating and boarding.

1. Bantam Lake, Litchfield CT – On the southern end of the New England range
2. Quaboag Pond, Brookfield, MA – A little north and east
3. Damariscotta Lake, Jefferson, Maine – Further North and east people have been sailing

There are several places in between like places on Winnipesaukee that are not quite there and further scouting is required. The cold temps coming in could change things fast.

T our race chairman is looking to get some racing in, probably Sunday, but we have to bob and weave around the coming white crud in the forecast. Stay tuned for updates from T. Reach out if you have any thoughts on this.

(N)ice Smiles Guys. A smile we all know comes from sheeting in and going fast. I am very sure there will be many more smiles come tomorrow

Remember, no ice is ever 100% safe sailors MUST make their own decisions as to conditions. Keep the NEIYA Leo mantra top of mine “There is always thin ice someplace”. Check with people who have been out before heading out. Assume there are unknown hazards when you first set out and take it easy at first.

Respect the lot, shoreline, and lake. Pack all trash out and leave the area better than you found it.

Sail Safe and sail heads up.

Think Ice and have fun,

John
DN US 5023
John@neiya.org

Hey Folks- We are still hoping to get some sailing in even though the weather picture is looking interesting…. Sunday will be the day if we can make it happen. Stay tuned to this site for details.

While you are waiting take a look at this video from and featuring our own Jeff Kent and many other NE notables, a very cool trip down memory lane! Be sure to read the accompanying article as well. Good stuff. THINK ICE.

1993 Worlds: A Look Back Through Video – DN North America (idniyra.org)

Hello All-

Just wanted to let everyone know there is a good shot at getting in a regatta this weekend-

There is ice to be had, possibly in several places. When we zero in on the best one we will make an announcement. Could be in MA, ME, or NH….

As always three or more of any class will get their own start and a thorough knowledge of the Racing Rules is a necessity. Note that there are some differences with the conventional soft water rules so review them here: Rules & Safety – DN North America (idniyra.org)

In addition, each sailor must provide proof of $300,000 personal liability at time of registration. Print a copy and keep it in your toolbox and/or take a picture of it and keep it in your phone.

There will be a Classic/Vintage award given out at the discretion of the Regatta Chairman so don’t hesitate to show up even if your boat is a little less than cutting edge!

Stay tuned to this site for details- Will make a formal announcement ASAP.

Line ’em up!!

T Thieler DN US 5224 NEIYA Regatta Chair

This news is just in from Bob S who we are all so grateful to for his dedication to scouting ice for all of us. This picture is from today at Quabog Pond in Massachusetts. Bob S. reports 4" of ice and he plans to sail tomorrow, Thursday, 1/13/2022.

REMEMBER: Use Caution! There are always hazards! Talk to people who have gone out before you head out. Never sail or scout alone. Sail Head’s Up!

Thanks, Karen

It’s been cold. True ice building cold. The people in Maine were indeed sailing in frigid conditions yesterday (https://iceboat.me). ice checkers are out this morning at several locations. Stay tuned we will have more info later in the day. Remember even though we are all anxious we are in the early stages of the season and many areas still have snow on top which prevents proper scouting.

With a little luck, we may be sailing this weekend in MA (Quaboag), and a couple other locations are on the scouting list. Of course, Damariscotta in Maine is being sailed now check https://iceboat.me for details and we will recap tomorrow or Friday.

Be safe when checking and report your findings. Organize your own scouting parties. Report initial findings via our forum and let people know.

See something say something…

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
john@neiya.org

When you are on the phone with a multiple DN North American and World Champion and riding shotgun with a DN North American champion one should ALWAYS TAKE NOTES! Not having a pen and paper at the ready, the sharpie and my right hand had to suffice.

Yesterday, T and I were driving back to RI after three days of great sailing on Walled Lake in Michigan. The ice was HARD and the wind was UP! I am pleased to say I did really well. No one was taking scores, but I am pretty sure I won every B fleet race. My starts were spot on and I was really focused on my body position in the boat. Yet, the fear factor remains high when coming into the leeward mark at a high rate of speed. I was definitely slipping more than I wanted to and in one race I almost spun out. Sunday was even windier with monster puffs in the upper 20s. I had little traction during my tacks and gybes.

I used my heavy 90-degree max inserts all weekend and my front runner has a 95-degree profile. The bigger and more experienced sailors were using 95-degree side runners and still maintaining control and going incredibly fast. Impressive! It’s truly these little things in DN racing that can make all the difference in terms of speed and your position in the fleet.

Mid-day on Saturday, I remembered Jane Pegel, kindly emailed me last year about big wind and her runner choice. I recalled something about an 85-degree front runner. Today, I just reviewed the notes she sent me. Yes, indeed, her front runner was 85 degrees. She said she rarely used her 90-degree side runners even in windy conditions If Jane was able to go fast and maintain control with her 95s and rarely used her 90s, because they are just too sharp and dig into the ice too deeply, should I get a new front runner for better traction? I am definitely considering it.

Then yesterday, Ron Sherry called us on the road. Ron gave me two key tips for big air and they went onto my right hand. Loosen my side stays and lower the halyard a bit. He said both of those small changes will make a huge difference and help you stick on the ice more. Thanks Ron for always being willing to share your knowledge!

I always think I am going to remember things people tell me, but in this sport there are so many variables and scenarios. There is different ice and wind conditions, multiple runner options, rig adjustments, and I am nowhere close to considering the different batten options that exist. I know now taking notes and keeping them for reference will help me make better sense of this sport.

Can’t wait for more sailing soon!

Karen
NEIYA Secretary
DN5630