by Deb Whitehorse | Mar 22, 2024 | 2024, Home Page
John Curtis KC5514 and Jacek Marzenski KC5247 at the 2024 DN World Championship, Parnu, Estonia.
Great write up about the North Americans from John Curtis and André Baby.
By John Curtis
Earlier this month, Canadian DN Sailors journeyed to Wisconsin and made a very strong showing at the DN North Americans finishing four boats in the top ten.
Over the past 4-5 years a keen group of sailors from Montreal and Kingston have been quietly honing their skills at the oldest form of competitive sailing – Iceboat racing. Continue reading.
by Deb Whitehorse | Mar 19, 2024 | Home Page
Meade Gougeon in 1982 at Wittensee, Germany. Photo: Henry Bossett
Gougeon Archives
The Gougeon brothers’ pioneering work with epoxy construction revolutionized not only DN iceboat building but left a mark on sailing as a whole. Their significant contribution to DN sailing continues to inspire and drive excellence in the iceboating community.
Glued Together
The Gougeon brothers didn’t invent epoxy, but they were innovative boatbuilders who created the West System of epoxy products and revolutionized coldmolded boatbuilding.
PIM VAN HEMMEN
In Meade’s eyes, the DNs were a great test bed for epoxy construction. They would also become the Gougeons’ first commercial enterprise. They would eventually build 200 DNs and they knew how to race them. From 1971 until 2000 Jan dominated DN iceboating, winning four world championships and 11 national championships. Meade would also win national championships in 1981 and 1997. Continue reading.
by Deb Whitehorse | Mar 17, 2024 | 2024, Home Page
Runner Tracks
The Online Magazine of the International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association
March 2024
The March issue of the DN class newsletter, Runner Tracks, is now available online. Dive into the latest edition featuring minutes from the Annual General Meeting and a fascinating article by Bob Cummins detailing his travels to Parnu, Estonia, for the 2024 World and European Championship. Check it out today!
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.
RUNNER TRACKS IS AVAILABLE IN THREE DIFFERENT FORMATS:
Flipbook Magazine
Download pdf file (best for tablets)
Download single page pdf (best for phones)
IN THIS ISSUE
- Minutes from the 2024 Annual General Meeting
- Observations from the 2024 World & European Championship in Estonia by Robert Cummins
Get this issue in a full color soft cover book for $20.
by Deb Whitehorse | Mar 17, 2024 | 2024, Home Page
Via Mike Miller US5369
Mark Kiefer, aka “The Ice Maker,” passed away on March 9, 2024, at the age of 71, after a short illness.
Mark was a passionate sailor and a long-time iceboater. He sailed out of the Wayzata Yacht Club and, in his younger days, raced a DN. Mark will always be known in the DN iceboat community as co-founder of the Great Western Challenge and the short-lived World Ice Racing Circuit. Mark served two terms as Commodore of the IDNIYRA from 2000 – 2001.
Mark grew up in Moorhead, MN, but spent many early winter days on the lakes of west-central MN, including Lake Christina in Ashby, MN. Mile Marker 8, along Christina’s northern shore, became the famous launch site of the Great Western Challenge.
Iceboaters have always considered plowing a track to race when snow prevented sailing. The Icemaker took that vision to the next level and founded the World Ice Racing Circuit. He enlisted a few sponsors and got enough funds to plow two tracks on Lake Phalen in St Paul, MN. Mark envisioned four abreast NASCAR-style racing with TV coverage. He even convinced the Paul Winter Carnival to make it an official carnival event with boats in the parade and a sideshow of a petting zoo!
Mark mentored many newbies into the DN sport. He freely shared his knowledge and often let newcomers take their first rides in his boat. His later years were spent without a suitable boat but he always championed his Great Western Challenge.
On a more personal note, I have fond memories of scouting ice with Mark. He taught me how to assess ice and introduced me to the numerous northern lakes suitable for racing. I think of Mark often as I have taken over his scouting duties.
We extend our deepest condolences to Mark’s family and friends during this difficult time. A private funeral is being planned.
World Ice Racing Circuit
by Deb Whitehorse | Mar 5, 2024 | 2024 NA, Home Page
LINK TO VIDEO
Roll along with the Gold Fleet in last Wednesday’s (February 28, 2024) first Gold fleet race of the day at the 2024 DN North American Championship on Lake Waconia, MN. Jeff Kent’s 360-degree camera captures every bump, tack, jibe and pass, giving you a front-row seat to the action.
by Deb Whitehorse | Mar 4, 2024 | 2024 NA, Home Page
Check out the intense action captured by Jeff Kent’s drone at the 2024 North American Championship. Witness Nicolas Mabboux KC5508, Jim Grogan US3, Ron Sherry US44, and Matt Struble US183 battling it out at the weather mark.
