Announcing the New DN European Grandmasters Regatta Website

by | Nov 4, 2024 | 2025, Home Page

PRO John Winquist sends them off at the 2022 DN Grand Masters .

DN Grand Masters Website
There’s a new dedicated website for the DN European Grandmasters regatta, designed specifically for DN sailors aged 60 and over. The website is live with event details, including the recently released dates for the 2025 regatta, set for January 28-30.

In other regatta news, the Junior DN and Ice Optimist World and European Championships will take place from February 7-16, 2025.

Junior Program Update

by | Oct 30, 2024 | 2025, Home Page

From left, Brett Husley, Maggie, Kayla, and Sam Bartel with the new Junior trailer donated by Brett.

Learn more about iceboating for kids.

Via Junior Sailing Director Sam Bartel US1011

Junior Program Update:
Mike Bloom, myself, Jillian McGary, and two junior sailors from MN (Maggie and Cayla) made the trip to Harken this past weekend. We had a BLAST! Thanks to the organizers of the celebration/program on Saturday night. It was fun to mingle with everyone, and hear from Harry and Kyle about their Youth America’s Cup experience.

 

I also want to extend a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone that supported the Junior Program at the swap meet!! I want to thank the following people in particular:

 

  • To Brett Hulsey, for donating the enclosed box for our new junior program trailer (it can fit up to 4 boats inside and 1-2 on top!)
  • To David Frost, for donating the funds that made it possible to buy the trailer for the enclosed box. Extra funds will be used to finish buying parts for our DNs and Ice Optis.
  • To Peete Johns, for buying a DN from Bob Rast and then donating the entire program to the juniors.
  • To Bob Cave, for donating a DN hull, plank, boom, and many other parts.
  • To Mark Isabell, for donating a brand new Ice Opti hull.
  • To Steve Orlebeke, for loaning his complete Ice Opti program.
  • To John Harper, for donating a bunch of chocks, travel cover, and DN mast components.
  • To Matt Meyer for donating a bunch of DN shrouds.
  • And of course, to Mike Bloom for his endless support of myself and the junior sailors.

 

Our junior program now has 2 trailers, 4 Ice Optimists, and 3 DNs. Mike Bloom, myself, and the sailors in MN plan to take inventory of our gear this coming weekend. We’re also excited for the Western Challenge in just over a month, which will likely include the first Ice Optimist North American Championship in 10 years! If you know of other Ice Optimists and/or Ice Optimist sailors, please encourage them to attend. I’ll send an NOR out in the coming weeks.

Think Ice!
Sam Bartel US1011

Gearing Up the Next Generation of Ice Sailors: Junior Program Needs at Pewaukee Swap Meet

by | Oct 25, 2024 | 2025, Home Page


Help our junior sailors hit the ice! Your donated gear could make Ice Opti North Americans a reality.
Via IDNIYRA Junior Coach Sam Bartel US1011

Yo! This is your NA Junior Coach checking in. I’ll be heading to Pewaukee tomorrow/Sunday (October 26-27, 2024) for the swap meet to pick up some things for the junior program (a box trailer from Brett, as well as a DN hull and parts from Bob Cave and David Frost). Swap meet details here.

I have MANY eager junior sailors in MN. In particular, I have a number of Opti kids and parents interested in Ice Opti sailing. If we can pull together another 3-5 ice Optis in time for the Western Challenge, we could maybe have an Ice Opti North Americans alongside the DN event…??
If you have any of the following to donate (tax credit available via Deb Whitehorse), please send me a message via FB or text.

    • Complete Ice Opti programs (hull/spars/blades/plank/etc.)
    • Chocks and stud plates for DN plank (we are building planks for our juniors!)
    • Carbon DN masts (mainly for small people 100-140lbs)
    • Decent DN runners (plates/inserts)
    • DN shrouds
    • Aluminum DN booms
    • Other DN hull/plank fittings appreciated

      Respectfully, please do not donate your old clothing… it will likely end up in the garbage or at Goodwill 🙂

Sam

Looking for a DN Iceboat? Come to a Swap Meet!

by | Oct 21, 2024 | 2025, Home Page

Photo: Hannah Noll/Harken

Looking for a DN Iceboat? Come to a Swap Meet!
Swap meets are the best way to get started in DN ice sailing—second only to actually being on the ice! At these events, you can find a DN, meet experienced ice sailors, and get advice on equipment and racing. It’s also a great opportunity to join a local club and become part of the ice sailing community. Don’t miss your chance to dive into the fastest sailing on the planet!

NEW ENGLAND
NEIYA Swap Meet, Lunch & Meeting Information:
When: Saturday, October 26th, 10:00am
Where: Thompson Speedway Golf Course, 205 E Thompson Rd, Thompson, CT 06277
Information: New England Ice Yachting Association

WISCONSIN
Southern Wisconsin Iceboat Swap Meet
Date: Sunday, October, 27, 2024
Time: 9 AM – Noon
Location: Harken parking lot
N15W24983 Bluemound Rd, Pewaukee, WI
Information

MINNESOTA
Hosted by: Tim Carlson and Sailcrafters Loft and Rigging ((952) 540-7474)
Date: Saturday, November 2
Time: 9 AM – Noon
Location: 7450 Oxford Street St. Louis Park, MN 55426
Information: Minnesota Ice Sailors Facebook page
Minnesota’s annual iceboat swap meet is a great opportunity to buy and sell used iceboat gear. Or, just spend time meeting local iceboaters and asking questions about our sport. Anyone interested in iceboating is encouraged to attend.

MICHIGAN
2024 Western Michigan Iceboat Swap Meet
Date: Saturday, November 2nd
Time: 9 am to 2 pm
Location: Muskegon Yacht Club., 3198 Edgewater Street. Muskegon, Michigan.
ANNUAL COMBINED SWAP MEET
Three West Michigan Clubs: West Michigan Ice Yacht Club, Gull Lake Ice Yacht Club, Grand Traverse Ice Yacht Club
Information: Gull Lake Ice Yacht Club Facebook Page