LATEST NEWS
Colin Duncan KC5457 New Canadian Rear Commodore
Colin Duncan rounds the mark at the 2020 North American Championship on Fort Peck Lake in Montana. Photo: gretchendorian.com
Welcome to a New Rear Commodore
I would like to welcome a new Rear Commodore to the IDNIYRA Governing Committee. Colin Duncan, KC5457, is taking over the reins of the Canadian Region from John Curtis, KC 5514. Both are members of the DN community in and around Kingston Ontario. Colin is not really new to IDNIYRA affairs since he has had background roles in the organization of the 2015 Gold Cup in Kingston and various Canadian DN Championships in the years since. I would also like to thank John Curtis, the outgoing Canadian Rear Commodore, for his contributions to the DN Class.
Warren Nethercote KC 3786
Commodore IDNIYRA
DN Storage Pro Tip
It’s springtime. Do you know where your DN is?
Hal Bowman US1277 keeps a close eye on his hull while making a design statement in his living room.
In other DN news, 2021 May Runner Tracks will publish in a few days to help you keep Thinking Ice.
China Joins the IDNIYRA
Via the IDNIYRA European website:
Our family of icesailing nations grew by a new member in Asia!
This weekend at our annual National Secretaries’ Meeting we had some very special guests in attendance:
On behalf of the Chinese DN Fleet, Mr. Wang Qiguang chairman of the Jinzhou Yachting and Sailing Association and Jinzhou Bay Sailing Club, Mr. Wu Ming director of the club and Ms. Zhu Di, Chinese-Canadian interpreter was also invited to serve throughout the process.As they told us, in the past three years, during the introduction, training and participation in- and hosting of various icesailing competitions, they stumbled across pictures and videos of DN iceboats on the Internet. The appearance, structure, speed and specifications of the DN immediately aroused everyone’s interest. In 2019, they purchased plans from North America and manufactured a few of China’s first iceboats of the class. Last year contact has been established with IDNIYRA – Europe and official talks began on joining the Organisation. We received their application of membership earlier this year.
At the same time, they have also received strong support and approval from the Chinese Sailing and Windsurfing Association. They plan to join the our association as a local organisation, and at the same time, continue to promote the DN icesailing across the country.After an impressive presentation and interview, the national representatives unanimously approved the membership application.
We wholeheartedly welcome the Chinese Fleet in our Class Association!
See more
The Longest Season
Lyle Portelance sailing on Thunder Bay in Ontario, Canada on April 2, 2021. Via Mike Madge.
It’s early April, and the DN ice sailing season is still going in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Mike Madge and friends are usually the first on the ice in November, making for a six-month run of ice sailing. Mike’s an experienced DN sailor who’s been on a mission to introduce the sport to the Thunder Bay area.
Baikal Ice Yacht Racing 2021
The final DN regatta of the season is taking place this week on Lake Baikal in Siberia. Follow along on the Baikal Ice Yacht Racing Facebook page for the latest news.
In Memory of Mike Webber 1969-2021
In memory of Mike Webber. From the 2018 DN North American championship at Charlevoix Lake in Michigan.
The DN community extends our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mike Webber.
Mike Webber, KC 5591
The Nova Ice Yacht Club lost one of its most active members on March 17 and the IDNIYRA lost a newer, committed DN sailor.
Mike Webber, KC 5591, of Petite Riviere Nova Scotia was a professional mariner, a marine engineer. His marine engineering career began on the Great Lakes and then moved to the salt water where he worked in offshore support and then on tankers. Most recently he was the Chief Engineer and Chief Superintendent for the Polar Prince, a Lunenburg-based research icebreaker engaged in seismic surveys, contract icebreaking and other Arctic operations.
Mike was a life-long sailor, who spent some of his time off as a professional mariner cruising the Caribbean with his wife and children. Mike only started iceboating about five years ago. He quickly graduated from beaters to competitive DNs. When he upgraded his DN program he helped others get started by giving way his beaters. He improved his performance through practice and seeking the advice of more experienced DN sailors. Last year he won his first race, and regatta, when he won the Maritimes Championship on Lake Mush-a-Mush, Nova Scotia. He finished 7th in the Silver fleet at the 2020 North American Championships at Fort Peck, Montana.
Mike will be remembered for his sunny personality. He could be counted on for support when help was required. Eight days driving with him, from Nova Scotia to Montana and back, was eight days well spent. Mike was 51: it was too soon for him to go.
Mike’s full obituary can be seen at www.sweenysfuneralhome.com
Warren Nethercote, KC 3786
2021 U.S. Nationals Photo CD
Photographer Gretchen Dorian has put together a CD with over 850 images from the 2021 U.S. Nationals sailed on Black Lake in Michigan.
They are all keyworded with Sail number and name. They are lo-res jpgs, perfect for viewing on a Big Screen TV, making small thumbnails for your website or emails. They are in “chron” order, by file name. There is a very small “ggd” watermark in lower right corner. They are the same images on my website. $35.00 includes s/h. If interested please send me a note at ggdorian@gmail.com, so I know how many to burn and ship!
www.gretchendorian.com
Sailjuice & Mike Madge: Fast Females in DN Ice Yachts
2021 DN Westerns Regatta: Chris Berger Wins Westerns
From left: Daniel Hearn Gold fleet 2nd, Chris Berger Gold fleet 1st, Erin Bury Silver fleet 5th and Top Rookie, Martin Malcheski Gold fleet 4th, Bob Rast Top Grand Master Silver fleet 1st, Hal Bowman Silver fleet 4th, and seated Bob Cave Silver fleet 2nd and Top Master. Photo: Julie Jankowski
Rob Evans Gold fleet 3rd and Mimi Collins
Proving that serving as a DN Class Officer is not a hindrance to winning a regatta, Western Region Commodore Chris Berger US5166 came out on top at the 2021 Western Region Championship sailed on Lake Michigan at Menominee, Michigan, March 6-7.The fleet enjoyed two days of excellent competition in a variety of wind conditions. On Saturday, the studs on Chris’ plank failed, resulting in 2 missed races. As the fleet lined up for the regatta’s last race on Sunday, Chris and Daniel Hearn US5352 were tied for first place. Chris won the last race and won the regatta by one point.
Quite a few novice racers took the opportunity to join the regatta, and we hope to see them back on the line at the next race.
Bob Rast won the Silver Fleet. He wrote about it on his Facebook page:
Great weekend in Menominee. Thanks to Chris Berger and Mike Derusha for finding a great piece of ice for the regatta
Light air on Saturday put me in third place and I had to figure out how to get in front of Bob Cave, who had me by six points; Pat Fitzgerald who had me by one point; and fend off Hal Bowman who was one point behind me A couple turns of the front Staymaster powered it up and heavier air turned it into thrill ride. Pulled it off! Very happy to win a second time never really expected it
Special thanks to Mike Derusha US2545 for scouting the ice, finding the landing, and building bridges across the heaves. Thanks to the Race Committee, including Chief Judge Dan Heaney, assisted by George Gerhardt, Fred Stritt, Julie Jankowski, and Mercedes Auger.
2021 DN Centrals Regatta: Eric Smith Wins Centrals
Nancy and Eric Smith US2500 with the 2021 DN Central Region Championship trophy.
Via Kent Baker:
Competitors and Race Committee at the DN Centrals regatta enjoyed a beautiful weekend on Elk Lake in Michigan, even with only one day of sailing. The sky on Sunday was cloudless and windless. On Saturday, after considerable delays due to wind shifts and needing to avoid an area of holes, each fleet sailed four races for a total of eight races.
Racing is simply magical when you are going full-warp speed upwind with the weather runner barely lifted off the ice. A sensation that in an instant makes you glad you troubled yourself to get there. Thanks to Ron Sherry, Richard Potcova, Jody Kjoller, Peter Johanson for all having a role in keeping me going these last few years. And, of course, my wife/enabler, Erica!
Big congratulations to Eric Smith US2500 on his first regatta win! Proof that one doesn’t have to be in the sport for a decade or more to beat the best!
It’s worth noting that there were 5 father/son duos present including David and Cooper Frost, Bill and Bobby Cutting, Ron and Griffin Sherry, Bill and Chad Coberly, and Dick and Brian Parker. Three of the youngest of the five are products of the Ice Optimist program.
2021 CENTRAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
2021 DN Central Region Championship Called ON for Elk Lake in MI March 6-7
The 2021 DN Central Region Championship is called on for Elk Lake in Michigan, March 6-7.
WHAT TO KNOW:
- No trailers on the ice
- Launch area has a pressure ridge in front of it which can be crossed to the north. There will be cones marking where you can cross.
- Registration is $30. Please have exact change.
ICE REPORT
The ice is clear, rated as a 6 – 7 as per Dick Wollam and Bob Gray, sheet is 1 mile by 2 miles. Ice is 6-7″ thick.
LAUNCH
Whitewater Township Park
LODGING (Closest to launch area)
Sleep Inn & Suites
Acme, MI
231-938-7000
$90
Holiday Inn Express
231-938-2600
3536 Mt Hope Rd, Williamsburg, MI 49690
Acme, MI
$100
There are other hotels towards Traverse City.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Saturday, March 6
9 AM ET Registration at the Launch
9:30 AM ET: Skippers Meeting at Launch
10 AM ET: First Race
Current Newsletter
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New England Ice Yacht Association
- Instruction 101 November 25, 2024