While we here in North America are stowing away sailboats for the season, in Sweden, the DNs are hitting the ice. October 30, 2023, kicked off the 2023-2024 season for class members Dideric Van Riemsdijk (S867) and Stefan Bokfors (S107). They found ice at Ansjön, a spectacular location situated 6 hours north of Stockholm. This year, October 30 marked the earliest start for Dideric and Stefan, giving them ample time on the ice for training before the Week 46 Regatta in Finland, which takes place November 17 – 19, 2023.
The DN Community mourns with the family and friends of Bob Dill US3904, who passed away on October 28, 2023.
Bob served as IDNIYRA Class Secretary from 1988-1991 and Class Treasurer from 1988-1989. He has been nominated to the U.S. Sailing Hall of Fame.
Via Bob Schumacher, Bob’s DN road-warrior and land-yacht-speed-record colleague:
With much sadness I have to report that Bob Dill passed last night after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. I am at a loss for words but Don Brush said it well.
‘A sad struggle for a unique person. He is, I am sure, in a better place now. He would not have wanted to be the person he had become. We all were better for knowing Bob. I don’t think I ever met a more inquisitive person with a passion for details. His passion for documentation assures his legacy will live on! It was an honor to know and have him as a friend.’ Don Brush
Bob Schumacher
Bob used his sharp engineering mind to quantify wind, ice, land, and speed in several articles. One of his most famous projects was designing and building the land sailing yacht IRON DUCK with his friend, Bob Schumacher. Together, they set a land-speed record.
In the world of ice sailing, Swap Meets are a cherished tradition. These gatherings offer more than just buying and selling; they’re a place to connect with other sailors. Find your first iceboat or that missing part for your project. Beyond the gear, swap meets are where the ice sailing community bonds. Meet fellow sailors, share stories, and form lasting connections. Here’s the list, starting from west to east.
MINNESOTA Minnesota Iceboat Swap Meet
Hosted by: Tim Carlson and Sailcrafters Loft and Rigging
Date: Saturday, November 4
Time: 9 AM – Noon
Location: 7450 Oxford Street St. Louis Park, MN 55426
The annual iceboat swap meet is a great opportunity to buy and sell used iceboat gear. Or, maybe, just spend time meeting local iceboaters and asking questions about our sport. Anyone interested in iceboating is encouraged to attend. Thank you Sailcrafters ( https://sailcrafters.com/) for supporting the local iceboat community. Sailcrafters is an official UK Sails dealer, bringing world-class designs and manufacturing to the Midwest. It is a full-service loft known for its complete rigging services and for making and repairing mooring, traveling and/or storage covers. Tim Carlson can be reached at (952) 540-7474.
WISCONSIN Menekaunee Iceboat Picnic & Swap Meet
Date: Saturday, October 14, 2023
Time:
Location: Menekaunee Harbor Park, Ogden St, Marinette, WI 54143
Weather Permitting, complete Iceboats on exhibit. No charge to display or sell.
Buy, sell, upgrade or trade complete iceboats, parts. Upgrade your current rig. Enjoy the start of a new season, learn about iceboating. Everyone is welcome to attend. Commodore Jason Fifarek will be BBQ hamburgers and hotdogs. Food is free but this is a BYOB event, some water will be provided but you are encouraged to bring your own.
Wisconsin Iceboat Swap Meet – Hosted by the Green Lake Ice Yacht Club, Green Lake, WI
Date: Sunday, October 22, 2023
Time: 9 AM – Noon
Location: Town Square Community Center, 492 Hill St., Green Lake, WI
The Wisconsin Iceboat Swap Meet is the perfect place to check out iceboats and components for sale. The Iceboat Swap Meet is a chance to meet and learn from experienced iceboaters who are more than willing to share their insights into the sport. More information
Delavan Yacht Club Swap Meet – Hosted by the Delavan Yacht Club
Date: Sunday, November 5, 2023
Time: 10 – 2
Location:1501 Cedar Point Dr, Delavan, WI 53115
MICHIGAN Western Michigan Ice Yacht Club Swap Meet
Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023
Time: 9 – 1
Location: Richland Pub, 8253 N 32nd St, Richland, MI 49083
NEW ENGLAND New England Ice Yachting Association Swap Meet & Lunch Date: Sunday, November 19, 2023
Time: 10 AM
Location : Thompson Speedway Golf Course, 205 E Thompson Rd, Thompson, CT 06277 More information.
CANADA Canadian Ice Force Swap Meet
Date: Saturday, October 14, 2023
Time: Noon – 4
Location: 470 Bay St. North, Hamilton, ON.
Buy, sell. Fast ice discussions. Burgers and beer. Bring your runners for sharpening. Let us know you are coming so that we have enough food. Reply to the Canadian Ice Force Facebook page or by email to Les at dldruiven@gmail.com. Park at the Leander Boat Club and walk up the path (about 50 meters).
This is the announcement of a combined electronic ballot for members of IDNIYRA and IDNIYRA EU, although North American and European results will be available separately. There are two proposals on the ballot. Both proposals were approved for vote at the 2023 IDNIYRA Annual Governing Meeting. If you didn’t receive an electronic ballot, please check your spam folder first, and then contact secretary.idniyra@gmail.com
The election runs from October 3 – October 17, 2023.
Over the summer of 2022, the IDNIYRA Technical Committee held six online meetings to revise the wording of the Official IDNIYRA Specifications, specifically Section A (fuselage) and Section B (runner plank). Class members in good standing are voting on the proposed changes that were published in the September 2022 Runner Tracks. See the proposed changes here.
Their main goals were to
• Incorporate the Interpretations into Official Specifications.
• Rewrite for more user-friendly wording.
• Enrich each section with a measurement guide and measurement drawings.
• Consolidate fragmented sections.
• Eliminate loopholes and grey areas by giving more precise definitions.
• Maintain specifications.
IDNIYRA class members voted to bring the proposed changed to a class vote at the 2023 Annual Governing Meeting, held during the January 2023 World & North American Championship.
2. PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE EPIC AGREEMENT ARTICLE XI, ENFORCEMENT OF THE SPECIFICATIONS.
Amend EPIC Article XI 3. to read:
3. By an official ruling of the technical committee. Such official rulings shall prevail as supplements to the OFFICIAL SPECIFICATIONS unless and until voided by a simple majority of the membership. Proposals for such a vote will be initiated in the same way a Specification Change Proposal is made, except that a ruling that is voided will be voided immediately after a vote that overturns it.
Background: This proposal was approved for ballot at the 2023 IDNIYRA Annual Governing Meeting. Refer to the 2023 AGM minutes in February 2023 Runner Tracks for more information.
Central Region Commodore Peter Johanson US5633 on Fort Peck Reservoir, Fort Peck, Montana, March 2020 PHOTO: gretchendorian.com
Join us in welcoming Peter Johanson US5633, as the new Central Region Commodore. (See a list of all Regional Commodores here.) Peter is the go-to contact for iceboating in Michigan or Ohio. He’s set the dates for the 2023 and 2024 Central Region regattas. In addition, the schedule for the North American and European DN regatta season is set, so it’s time to mark your calendar. You can always find the schedule on the Regatta Information page of this website. As always, except for the World, North American, and European Championships, regatta dates are dependent upon conditions and may change.
2023-2024 DN REGATTA SCHEDULE
2023 WESTERN CHALLENGE – A non-ranking, unsanctioned, no-scoring fun regatta Dates: December 1 – 3, 2023 Location: Best ice in Minnesota Information: This website or iceboating.net
2023 CENTRAL REGION CHAMPIONSHIP
Date: December 2023, first available ice following the Western Challenge. Location: Michigan or Ohio Information: This website
2024 WESTERN REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Dates: January 6-7, 2024 Location: MN, WI, IA, IL, UP of MI, or IN Information: This website
2024 SENIOR SHUFFLE – A non-ranking, unsanctioned, fun regatta in the manner of the EU Grand Master Regatta. More information. Dates: January 8 – 10, three days after Western Region Championship Location: Same location as Western Region Championship Information: This website, iceboat.org
2024 CENTRAL REGION CHAMPIONSHIP Date: January 13 – 14, 2024 Location: Best ice in Michigan or Ohio, TBA Information: This website
2024 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION & 2024 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Continental Ranking Regattas
Date: February 3 – 10, 2024 Host: Lithuania Location: Best ice in Europe Information: idniyra.eu
2024 DN & ICE OPTIMIST JUNIOR WORLD & EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Date: February 3 – 10, 2024 – In conjunction with the World & European Championship Host: Lithuania Location: Best ice in Europe Information: idniyra.eu
2024 NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP A Continental Ranking Regatta Date: February 25 – March 2, 2024 Host: Eastern Lakes Region Information: This website Contact information:Deb Whitehorse
GRAND MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP Date: February 27 – February 29, 2024 Host: Finland Location: Best ice in Finland or Sweden Information:DN Finland
EASTERN LAKES CHAMPIONSHIP Date: TBA Location: Best ice in the Eastern Region (see Regions map, it’s a big area) Information: This website, the NEIYA
CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP Date: TBA Location: Best ice in Canada Information: This website
NEW ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIP Date: TBA Location: Best ice in New England Information:NEIYA
This issue offers insights from Robert Cummins US3433 on efficiently organizing and trailering your DN. Whether you are an experienced ice boater or a newcomer, Runner Tracks is the ultimate resource for everything related to ice boating. Check out the complete online library here.
IN THIS ISSUE
The Perfect DN Trailer by Robert Cummins
DN Quick Build by Deb Whitehorse with Commentary by Warren Nethercote
Traveling Trophy by Julie Jankowski
Get this issue in a full color soft cover book for $20.
The DN is most popular iceboat in the world. Whether you are a racer or cruiser, your $25 membership in the IDNIYRA helps to promote the art and skill of DN ice yacht construction and the sport of ice yachting on all the hard waters of the world.
This is the announcement of a combined electronic ballot for members of IDNIYRA and IDNIYRA EU, although North American and European results will be available separately. There are two proposals on the ballot. Both proposals were approved for vote at the 2023 IDNIYRA Annual Governing Meeting. If you didn’t receive an electronic ballot, please check your spam folder first, and then contact 
