Video screenshot of Gold fleet weather mark rounding from Facebook.
PROVISIONAL RESULTS
Once again, Mother Nature has surprised us with its ever-changing conditions. What started as slushy ice at Monday’s end hardened overnight, presenting us with a different challenge on Tuesday morning. Under bright, sunny skies, the Race Committee wasted no time setting the course for the day’s races, anticipating the forecasted breeze. Despite a calm start during the skipper’s meeting, the wind gradually picked up, providing more than enough momentum for the Silver fleet’s third race around 10 AM. The Silver fleet race was exciting with the top boats exchanging lead changes. Bill Cutting, David Frost, and Ed Demerest took the top three positions.
As clouds gathered in the northwest, signaling a shift in weather, the winds strengthened throughout the Silver fleet race. By the time the Gold fleet took the course, it was blustery. Matt Struble once again showcased his dominance, describing the day’s sailing as an “Interesting day today with the breeze a little over the boat’s capabilities. Fast forward sailing…” Behind him, Ron Sherry secured a commanding second place, followed by Steve Orlebeke.
Last night, the DN class annual meeting convened at the regatta headquarters. During the session, Junior Sailing Director Sam Bartel took the floor, sharing his innovative ideas on how class members can actively contribute to the advancement of junior sailing.
With temperatures dropping to 3°F this morning, a stark contrast to Monday’s high of 61°F, we await what day three of the 2024 DN North American Championship will bring on Lake Waconia in Minnesota.
DAY 3, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2024 UPDATE FROM THE RACE COMMITTEE The skippers meeting will be at 9AM. The Race Committee will decide at that point whether or not to postpone for temperature, but be ready! BANQUET: Join us tonight, Wednesday, February 28, at 6 PM at Lola’s Lakehouse, 318 E Lake St, Waconia, MN.
Ice Sailing – Lake Waconia, MN 2/26/24 from Epic Aerial Productions on Vimeo.
We are excited to share a bird’s eye view video capturing the action from the first day of the 2024 DN North American championship. Many thanks to competitor Peter Norton KA2, a professional videographer who brought this opportunity to the attention of his colleagues at Epic Aerial Productions, who flew their drone over Lake Waconia on Monday.
PROVISIONAL RESULTS
The 2024 DN North American Championship’s opening day was met with warm weather in Waconia, MN, with the high reaching 61°F.
Two races were successfully completed in both the Gold and Silver fleets. However, as the day progressed, the wind began to dwindle, and the ice softened under the unseasonably warm temperatures. The Race Committee called day one a wrap in the early afternoon. Scores are being tabulated and will be posted here. (Tabulator Ann Foeller has joined us on the ice as part of the scoring team for this regatta and will tabulate at the end of each day.)
San Diego’s Matt Struble US183, the defending champion who won both Gold fleet races, must have felt right at at home in the balmy temperatures. Bill Cutting US5430 and Matt Meyer US5646 each won in Silver. Stay tuned for more updates as the 2024 DN North American Championship unfolds.
Follow the DN North American Facebook for live updates.
SCHEDULE FOR DAY 2, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2024
The race committee will reassess the ice hardness on Tuesday morning, and we will try to get some racing done before the wind comes up too much. There will be a 9 AM skippers meeting at the launch, and 10 AM first race start. Silver fleet goes first Tuesday.
2024 North American Championship Lake Waconia, Waconia, MN
SCHEDULE
Schedule for Monday, February 26, 2024
9 AM Skippers Meeting at the Launch
10 AM First Qualifier Race
Due to warm temperatures we need to be prompt and make every effort to make this happen on time. The starting line will be approximately two miles from the launch.
The 2024 DN North American Championship regatta is called on for Waconia Lake in Waconia, Minnesota. EVENT PAGE REGISTER WHAT TO KNOW DN North American Championship EVENT PAGE Dates: February 25 – March 2, 2024 Location: Lake Waconia, Waconia MN Launch: Lake Waconia Regional Park
8170 Paradise Ln, Waconia, MN 55387 ATTENTION: DO NOT DRIVE ON THE ICE. THERE WILL BE AN ATV TO TAKE YOUR TRAILER ON THE ICE.
Lodging: Regatta Headquarters:
AmeriVu Inn and Suites
952-442-8787
550 Cherry Dr, Waconia, MN 55387
Room rate: $90.99 plus tax and fees
Room type: Either King or 2 Queens
Cancellation Policy: Same day by no later than 11am. Tell them you are with the DN Iceboat Regatta to get the discount
AmericInn by Wyndham Chanhassen, MN
612-293-6930
Country Inn & Suites Chanhassen, MN
952-937-2424
Super 8 by Wyndham Chaska, MN
1-952-448-7030
Register:Click here to register online.
Schedule of Events: Sunday, February 25, 2024
Online Registration and Check In closes at 8 PM CT at Regatta Headquarters, AmeriVu Inn and Suites
Check-in is a must! If you’ve registered, paid, and submitted insurance but can’t make the 8 PM check-in deadline, call Ann Foeller at 1-419-705-0959 or Deb Whitehorse at 1-608-347-2513 by 8 PM on Sunday, February 25. Speak to either Ann or Deb to ensure your stickers are ready for collection in the morning.
Monday, February 26, 2024
9 AM Skipper’s Meeting
10 AM First Qualifying Race
The primary site for the championship will be Lake Waconia in Waconia, MN, and we will continue to scout ice in Minnesota for backup sites.
We want to thank Eastern Lakes Commodore James “T” Thieler and dedicated ice checkers Bill Bucholz, Jeff Roseberry and Paul Chamberland on the East Coast for their efforts. While the championship was originally slated to take place in the east, the unpredictable weather conditions and a lack of big ice have led us to select a location in Minnesota.
We want to thank Minnesota sailors Mike Bloom and Sam Bartel for their extensive windshield time and ice scouting over the last few days.
Consider arriving early to compete in the oldest ice yacht regatta in North America, the Northwest, a 3-day regatta. Where else can you sail a regatta for $16 and see Skeeters and Stern-Steerers? Registration will open tomorrow, Information here.
Stay tuned for further updates and detailed information about lodging, launch, etc.
See you on the ice!
WHAT TO KNOW
2024 DN North American Championship Event page Dates: Feb 25 – March 2 Primary Site: Lake Waconia, Waconia, MN Launch: TBA Lodging: TBA Schedule:
Sunday, February 25, 2024, Check-in 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm local time: Location to be listed on the IDNIYRA website.
Monday, February 26, 2024 first race at time stated in sailing instructions.
Saturday, March 2, 2024, racing is concluded.
IDNIYRA BY LAWS
Racing Rules
C) b) When not held in conjunction with the Gold Cup, the North American Championship regatta is held during a specific week, beginning on a Monday and ending on Friday, with Saturday as a reserve day. If 3 races in all fleets have not been completed by sundown on Friday, racing shall be continued until sundown on Saturday.
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.
