LATEST NEWS

Last Minute Shopping: Register for the 2020 North American Regatta Today!

You’ve worked hard this year, so go ahead and buy yourself that gift you’ve been putting off—that registration for the DN North American Championships.  If you get it done before midnight today, the Grinch won’t even slap you with that $50 late registration fee, that we’re not calling a late registration fee.  We’re calling it a “convenience fee,” because pre-event research revealed that ice sailors prefer to spin things toward the positive.  So, we’re offering you the convenience of registering after midnight tonight for JUST an additional $50 bucks.  Yes, you heard that right, JUST $50 bucks.  What’s $50 bucks, anyway? Your weekly Starbucks budget? A week’s cable bill? The tip you left for the cocktail waitress at the last regatta? Chump change!  So go ahead, put it off as long as you like, we’ll still welcome you at the event like the prodigal son.
Click to Register

Because I Love You

As long as you’re in the giving spirit, how about buying your spouse, your latest Tinder hookup, your kid or a good friend a customized Twenty20 North American Championship thermal vest, customized with their sail number, name or secret message that only the two of you will understand.  $45 bucks and an email to Deb Whitehorse with the men’s or women’s size selection and the custom embroidery you want, and your love vest will be delivered to you at the Championships.  To get in on this deal, however, you must email Deb by midnight December 31.    debwhitehorse@gmail.com

 

2020 North American Early Registration Deadline Dec 23

2017 DN Western Region Championship on Lake Monona, Madison, WI

Attention…Attention…Attention,” with a tip of the helmet to the ice sailing legend, Bob Pegel. The sign up deadline for the 2020 DN North American Championship is midnight this Monday, December 23, to avoid the $50 late registration convenience fee. This is also the deadline to be assured of receiving your customized thermal vest in your proper size. Hey, if you don’t mind parting with another $50 and wearing a generic vest that’s either too big or too small, we’re not here to judge! Would be really cool if you’d take care of your registration online and upload your proof of insurance at the same time. Here’s the link

Register

If you do, Deb Whitehorse will give you a gold star, and she may allow you to view her plastic duck collection.

See you on the ice.

Daniel Hearn

Western Region Rear Commodore and Event Chairman

US 5352

Mark Christensen US4824

Mark “Doctor” Christensen US4824

It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of Mark “Doctor” Christensen US4824. Mark sailed home on Saturday, December 14, 2019 which was also the first day of the Great Western Challenge, a regatta he was closely connected with. He was a highly competitive and skilled DN racer and part of a group of Minnesota DNers whose passion has helped to bring new people to the sport. Mark was a key member of ice scouts who were responsible for getting sailors from all over North America, Europe, and Russia to join together in Minnesota for the first fun regatta of the season. He was a top ranked DN racer and relished battling on the ice against his close friends, be it scrub racing or continental regattas.  DN sailors from around the world extend our deepest sympathies to Mark’s family, his girlfriend Lisa, and to the Minnesota Ice Sailors.

Mark Christensen Funeral Service

Date: Friday, December 20, 2019
Visitation: 10 AM
Service: 11 AM
Luncheon to follow
St Bartholomew of Wayzata
630 Wayzata Blvd E, Wayzata, MN 55391
Link to map

OBITUARY
Mark R. Christensen
Mark R. Christensen Age 59 of Mound, MN. Survived by parents Norma J. (Alan) Greene, Ronald L. (Caroline); loving companion Lisa Lee; siblings Gary (Kizzy) & Kathy (Jeff) Traxler; Nieces and nephews Jesse (Erin), Katy (Brian), Abbigail, Matthew, Erin, Samuel, Megan and Mary and great nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial Friday, December 20th, 2019 11:00 AM @ St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 630 E. Wayzata Blvd, Wayzata, MN with visitation 1 hour prior to mass at church. washburn-mcreavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

2019 Western Challenge Results

Weather mark rounding: Bob Rast US1313 and Bill Bucholz in one of Daniel Hearn’s boats US5352.
Photo: Puckaway Ice Sailing Squadron

Everything came together at the last minute for another great Great Western Challenge on Lake Puckaway in Wisconsin. There were a total of 8 races in both Gold and Silver fleets over the weekend. Many thanks to all who competed and volunteered to keep the spirit of this fun regatta going.
RESULTS

DN Great Western Challenge is ON for Wisconsin

Photo Kurt Meyer

Via iceboating.net

The DN Great Western Challenge is called “ON” for December 13-15, 2019 on Lake Puckaway Wisconsin.
Lake Puckaway is near Green Lake, Wisconsin. The Skeeter Western Challenge is cancelled for the season.

 

LAUNCH
Apuckawa Park and Boat Launch
Located at the intersection of Fox Court and Toepper Drive, east of Montello.
Link to map

 

LODGING
Mecan River Outfitters:
(920) 295-3439
Very limited availability.

T’ween the Lake Motel
510 Underwood Ave Hwy 23
Montello, WI 53949
608-297-8715
Website

 

Acorn Ridge Motel
920-295-6533
http://www.acornridgemotel.com/

 

Bayview Motel and Marina
(920) 294-6504
439 Lake St, Green Lake, WI 54941
https://www.bayviewgreenlake.com/

 

Comfort Suites At Royal Ridges
(608) 567-4024
2 Westgate Drive, Ripon, WI, 54971, US
https://www.choicehotels.com/wisconsin/ripon/comfort-suites-hotels/wi133

 

Boarders Inn & Suites by Cobblestone Hotels – Ripon
(920) 748-7578
1219 W Fond Du Lac St, Ripon, WI 54971
https://www.staycobblestone.com/wi/ripon/

Western Challenge Groove Armada

 

As we wait for news of the first unofficial regatta of the season, the Western Challenge, it’s a good time to review one of the earliest and best DN videos ever made by Minnetonka’s Peter Crawford of Head Injury Media/Penalty Box Productions. It’s of a Western Challenge at Buffalo  Lake in 2005.
Via iceboating.net:

Currently we are checking ice. We have a lake in Albert Lea that looks like it will work. We are checking Buffalo today to see whats left after the snow.
Expect an update on Wednesday December 11.

Any help checking Albert lea is appreciated.

DN Regatta Fri,Sat,Sun

Skeeters Sat,Sun

Please report any new freeze. I know Pepin was water on Sunday.

JD

2020 IDNIYRA Yearbook

2019 Gold Cup Champion Michal Burczynski             Photo credit: Catherine Firmbach      cefirmbach.com

The 2020 International DN Ice Yacht Racing Yearbook is now available for purchase. There have been some significant changes from the 2019 yearbook including the new EPIC and Regatta Management Agreements. IDNIYRA Europe has a new constitution as well.

New this year is the championship history of the DN Junior and Ice Optimist World and European regattas. Very interesting to see some familiar names who continue to have success in DN competition as adults.

If you have already ordered the yearbook, it will be shipped to you within the next 2 weeks.

Get your 2020 IDNIYRA Yearbook soft cover book for $17. Buy Now Button

 

Back Cover 2020 IDNIYRA Yearbook

Interview with DN Junior Champion Rasmus Maaliin

2019 European Championship regatta race start. Rasmus sails C20.                                                                 Photo: Gwidon Libera

Estonia’s Rasmus Maaliin C20 is an up and coming ice sailor to watch! Here’s a link to a translated interview with the current DN Junior World Champion.

Rasmus Maaliin C20 of Pärnu, Estonia is the four time the junior world champion in ice sailing and wants to reach the highest pedestal rank among adults. For this year’s achievements, the young man was awarded the Order of the Estonian Yachting Club.

 

How and when did you get to ice sailing?
I got to ice sailing through summer sailing. As Estonia has a long and cold winter, when the water bodies are frozen, ice sailing is a logical extension for a young sailor to be able to train in winter. I started ice sailing at the age of 11, in 2011. From this year on, ice sailing has become my main area, and summer sailing is a bit overlooked. Continue reading.

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