No racing today. Too much wind. Instead we went to a frozen river in the middle of the Jinzhou City and raced Chinese iceboats that are similar to Blokarts. In actuality, it was a public demonstration organized by the President Wang of the Jinzhou Yacht Club. I couldn’t believe the number of spectators along the shoreline. Thousands came out to watch. Later in the day the DN sailors mentored local college kids as the students sailed iceboats for their first time. It was so fun to spend time with them and watch them progress. Fortunately, the language barriers didn’t get in the way. Tomorrow we hit the ice bright and early as we hope to get back to racing.
Think ice.
Mike Bloom US321
Screenshot from video. Mike Bloom sailing US5166 and Jost Kolb in G936.
Here’s the main event, Mike Bloom’s racing report from Jinzhou, China:
Three races in the books. Pretty windy. Ice is about a seven. It has an orange peel texture and drifts. The course was maybe .75 miles. The top guys sailed 95 degree inserts. I sailed 90 degree inserts because that’s all I brought. Wish they didn’t have stiffeners as the ice is 40 percent drifts. I sailed two races with a full sail then switched to a flat sail. I should have sailed the flat sail all three races but you can’t fix stupid. I think I’m in about fifth. Best race a fourth. The Russian kid, Anton Didenko R163, is winning with three bullets. Tonight we have a reception with the Mayor of Jinzhou. It’s another example of the Chinese making a big deal about everything. They are making us all feel so special and important. It’s kind of fun for once.
Joerg did an interview for Chinese national TV. Someone said the station is watched by literally millions of viewers. I heard he did a great job.
Think ice!
Mike Bloom US321
Joerg Bohn checks in:
The Chinese are just starting iceboating. They are brave to sail with wooden and aluminum masts and stiff planks. Their first boats built are heavy too. But they are very enthusiastic people. You will see CH-999 at the Worlds. Give them 3-5 years and they’ll be competitive. Their organization is outstanding. They flew in the Baikal Race Committee. We are sailing on the sea but there are lakes too. Can only encourage everyone to come here next year. Tomorrow perhaps too high winds in the forecast.
Joerg Bohn G737
Mike Bloom at opening ceremonies. (Image is Photoshopped.)
The opening ceremony was quite the production. Lots of dignitaries, people in government with important titles and big wigs in the sailing community Plus several hundred spectators. Joerg Bohn got a special plaque. All covered by Chinese radio and TV. And they had fireworks!
Mike Bloom US321
The inaugural international DN regatta in China has begun, and Minnesota sailor Mike Bloom, US321 checks are. The time difference adds a bit of mystery about when the races kicked off. Joerg Bohn, G737, has also shared photos and videos. Check them out on our Facebook page.
Stay tuned for further updates on this groundbreaking DN regatta, which is taking place in the heart of China.
Life is good! Jost Kolb G936 and I successfully met up this morning at the Beijing train station. On any given day, it’s got to be one of the busiest places in the world. I have never seen so many people in one place. Jost and I then traveled together for 3 hours on a bullet train traveling 241km/hr to Jinzhou [Liaoning] South. There we meet up with Joerg Bohn G737 and Valarie Dichenko R166 for a fun mini-reunion at the regatta headquarters.
The entire fleet then took a bus to dinner at a local restaurant. The big debate of the evening surrounded a bottle of clear liquid supplied by our hosts. The Russians insisted it was vodka while the Chinese said it was white wine. Unfortunately, despite emptying several several bottles, no decision was rendered. Instead, promises were made to try again tomorrow night.
After dinner I learned racing starts tomorrow. That’s a day earlier than what I expected. I probably should have put the Notice of Race, which was written in Chinese, though Google Translate.
It was also nice to see that the race committee is much of the same crew that ran the races when I was in Baikal. It’s a top-notch crew. With their experience, they’ll have no trouble cycling through the 3 fleets. So I expect lots of racing.
First race tomorrow is at noon. I plan to get up early, put the boat on the ice and attend the opening ceremonies. Hopefully, I’ll get a couple of laps in before they drop the first flag.
That’s all for now.
Think ice.
Mike Bloom US321
Via Joerg Bohn G737
First day at the sports university. They are educating sports teacher (Masters degree). Summer sailing is already a possible choice. The whole university is moving into a new campus in September into the neighborhood of the Jinzhou Sailing Club. They have professional sailing coaches. They have a partnership with the sailing club and can use all Olympic classes and beyond. Now they started, due to at least 3 month ice, every year. It is perfectly smooth and dry and is part of the bay, which is part of the South Chinese Sea. We will race against 20 students who picked sailing as their major. They had 30 DNs built. They are more the old style DN at are really heavy. Now the bought the first boats from Poland and will due to President of the sailing Club Wang, Qiguang registered for both, Worlds- and North Americans gain new experience over the season.
The Summer Palace surrounded by beautiful ice in Beijing, China.
Ice sailing has the power to carry us to the most unexpected corners of the globe. Minnesota DN sailor Mike Bloom US321 finds himself in eastern China for the inaugural international DN regatta hosted by DN China. We’ll share reports as they come in.
I made it to Beijing China. I meet up with Joerg Bohn G737 and Jost Kolb G936 on Thursday. The DN regatta starts on Sunday on Bohai Bay in Jinzhou City, Liaoning Provence. It 2 hours north east of Beijing on the 200km per hour bullet train.
I’m spending today at China’s world renown Summer Palace. It really is spectacular. Only an iceboater would visit a summer palace in the middle of winter. The highlight is the large frozen lake. Not quite big enough to set a course but the hundreds of people out on the ice sure are enjoying themselves. Most are walking but many are driving pedal powered kick sleds.
Until next time.
Think ice
Mike Bloom US321
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