If you missed your chance last season or you’re looking for the perfect gift for an iceboater, you can now purchase 2023 World Championship branded apparel at a discounted rate until December 14th. The Coral Reef online store is now open, offering our members a limited opportunity to snag these special items. Be sure to use the codes below to claim your discount.
DISCOUNT CODES – OFFER EXPIRES DECEMBER 14, 2023
Buy 1 item, get 10% off (use code Holiday10)
Buy 2 items, get 20% off (use code Holiday20)
Buy 3 items, or more, get 30% off (use code Holiday30)
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.
Newspaper article c. 1938, source: Don Dallar Scrapbook
A package of Don Dallar’s US46 scrapbook copies arrived at my doorstep, courtesy of Robert Cummins US3433. In 1937, Don was one of the original volunteers who responded to the Detroit News’ call to help build a new type of iceboat called the DN 60, “a one-person boat with 60 square feet of sail.” You can read his article on the history of the DN here.
The DN iceboat, like many successful sailing classes, has modernized over the past 86 years, incorporating new materials for improved boat handling and competition while still maintaining the ability to be built at home.
One thing that has remained constant is getting your DN to the lake is still easy. Eighty-six years ago, just placing your DN on the roof of your car must have felt incredibly freeing (though we recommend detaching the plank from the hull), especially considering the large Stern-Steerers that demanded a group effort and planning for their trip to the lake.
We are 33 days away from the unofficial opening of the season, the Western Challenge in Minnesota. Whether you cartop or trailer your DN, we hope to see you there.
Car-topping and some mast-leaning in Sweden at the 2023 Grand Masters.
As we approach Minnesota’s Western Challenge in 37 days, here’s a practical article on DN iceboat plank deflection recently forwarded to a new DN builder and sailor by Warren Nethercote KC3786.
John Jambock’s article was published in the 1991 DN Newsletter. Deflection is a critical factor in improving the performance of an iceboat, and it determines how well the boat handles on the frozen surface. John Jombock’s article provides valuable insights into the optimal thickness and materials for planks that can achieve the required stiffness.
If you’re interested in exploring more articles with technical and sailing tips, check out our archive from the original DN class website originally created by Paul Goodwin. There’s a wealth of knowledge waiting for you there. IDNIYRA Website Articles Archive
You are a crucial part of the world’s number-one ice sailing class. Your contributions are instrumental in sustaining this website, Runner Tracks, and the Yearbook. These contributions are essential for preserving your DN iceboat’s value and allowing you to participate in officer elections and class-related matters. As a member, you can take part in regattas at regional and continental levels. Thank you for supporting the IDNIYRA.
If you’d rather mail a check or have any questions about your membership, please contact Executive Secretary Deb Whitehorse treasurer.idniyra@gmail.com
DONATE TO THE IDNIYRA
Another way to support the class is to donate to the IDNIYRA. We keep membership dues reasonable to encourage participation. Your donation will help secure the future of the largest ice sailing fleet in the world. The IDNIYRA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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.
