Lyle Portelance sailing on Thunder Bay in Ontario, Canada on April 2, 2021. Via Mike Madge.
It’s early April, and the DN ice sailing season is still going in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Mike Madge and friends are usually the first on the ice in November, making for a six-month run of ice sailing. Mike’s an experienced DN sailor who’s been on a mission to introduce the sport to the Thunder Bay area.
The final DN regatta of the season is taking place this week on Lake Baikal in Siberia. Follow along on the Baikal Ice Yacht Racing Facebook page for the latest news.
In memory of Mike Webber. From the 2018 DN North American championship at Charlevoix Lake in Michigan.
The DN community extends our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mike Webber.
Mike Webber, KC 5591
The Nova Ice Yacht Club lost one of its most active members on March 17 and the IDNIYRA lost a newer, committed DN sailor.
Mike Webber, KC 5591, of Petite Riviere Nova Scotia was a professional mariner, a marine engineer. His marine engineering career began on the Great Lakes and then moved to the salt water where he worked in offshore support and then on tankers. Most recently he was the Chief Engineer and Chief Superintendent for the Polar Prince, a Lunenburg-based research icebreaker engaged in seismic surveys, contract icebreaking and other Arctic operations.
Mike was a life-long sailor, who spent some of his time off as a professional mariner cruising the Caribbean with his wife and children. Mike only started iceboating about five years ago. He quickly graduated from beaters to competitive DNs. When he upgraded his DN program he helped others get started by giving way his beaters. He improved his performance through practice and seeking the advice of more experienced DN sailors. Last year he won his first race, and regatta, when he won the Maritimes Championship on Lake Mush-a-Mush, Nova Scotia. He finished 7th in the Silver fleet at the 2020 North American Championships at Fort Peck, Montana.
Mike will be remembered for his sunny personality. He could be counted on for support when help was required. Eight days driving with him, from Nova Scotia to Montana and back, was eight days well spent. Mike was 51: it was too soon for him to go.
Mike’s full obituary can be seen at www.sweenysfuneralhome.com
Warren Nethercote, KC 3786
Photographer Gretchen Dorian has put together a CD with over 850 images from the 2021 U.S. Nationals sailed on Black Lake in Michigan.
They are all keyworded with Sail number and name. They are lo-res jpgs, perfect for viewing on a Big Screen TV, making small thumbnails for your website or emails. They are in “chron” order, by file name. There is a very small “ggd” watermark in lower right corner. They are the same images on my website. $35.00 includes s/h. If interested please send me a note at ggdorian@gmail.com, so I know how many to burn and ship!
www.gretchendorian.com
From left: Daniel Hearn Gold fleet 2nd, Chris Berger Gold fleet 1st, Erin Bury Silver fleet 5th and Top Rookie, Martin Malcheski Gold fleet 4th, Bob Rast Top Grand Master Silver fleet 1st, Hal Bowman Silver fleet 4th, and seated Bob Cave Silver fleet 2nd and Top Master. Photo: Julie Jankowski
Rob Evans Gold fleet 3rd and Mimi Collins
Proving that serving as a DN Class Officer is not a hindrance to winning a regatta, Western Region Commodore Chris Berger US5166 came out on top at the 2021 Western Region Championship sailed on Lake Michigan at Menominee, Michigan, March 6-7.The fleet enjoyed two days of excellent competition in a variety of wind conditions. On Saturday, the studs on Chris’ plank failed, resulting in 2 missed races. As the fleet lined up for the regatta’s last race on Sunday, Chris and Daniel Hearn US5352 were tied for first place. Chris won the last race and won the regatta by one point.
Quite a few novice racers took the opportunity to join the regatta, and we hope to see them back on the line at the next race.
Bob Rast won the Silver Fleet. He wrote about it on his Facebook page:
Great weekend in Menominee. Thanks to Chris Berger and Mike Derusha for finding a great piece of ice for the regatta
Light air on Saturday put me in third place and I had to figure out how to get in front of Bob Cave, who had me by six points; Pat Fitzgerald who had me by one point; and fend off Hal Bowman who was one point behind me A couple turns of the front Staymaster powered it up and heavier air turned it into thrill ride. Pulled it off! Very happy to win a second time never really expected it
Special thanks to Mike Derusha US2545 for scouting the ice, finding the landing, and building bridges across the heaves. Thanks to the Race Committee, including Chief Judge Dan Heaney, assisted by George Gerhardt, Fred Stritt, Julie Jankowski, and Mercedes Auger.
iceboat.org Minnesota Ice Sailing Association Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club New England Ice Yacht Association