Michał Burczyński: “Winning the Iceboat World Championships in a Borrowed Boat”

Photo: Catherine Firmbach

2019 Gold Cup & NA
Read 2019 Gold Cup champion Michał Burczyński’s fascinating account posted on the Ullman Sails website. of how bad luck turned into good luck thanks some help from the DN ice sailing community.

We (the Polish team) had a few days head start in sending our iceboats to the USA, in case of any unforeseen problems. Our equipment got held up at the Paris airport. Our appeals to the shipping company went unheard. And just when things were looking up, our bad luck continued, as the plane which was supposed to bring our gear three days before the start of the Championships, failed to take off because of a malfunction.

We were very nervous. Further calls to the shipping company yielded no results, I gave up and just accepted that my ice boat would not arrive on time. All that was left was to just treat my stay as an opportunity to catch up with other iceboaters and a tourist trip. I tried to borrow an iceboat, just to appear at the starting line and finish the races.

Read more.

2019 Western Regional Regatta Notice of Race


Download NOR in pdf
Via Western Region Commodore Daniel Hearn:

Western Region DN Sailors and Guests:

 

Sharpen’m up! Western Region Championships are approaching.

 

Wanted to call you attention to a couple changes incorporated into our 2019 NOR.

 

1. Regatta Race Format

Now a 9-race regatta, should conditions permit. Maximum of 5 races per day, with no race on Sunday starting after 3:00. Are we likely to get 18 races completed (assumes two fleets) across two consecutive days? Probably not, but would be nice to have the flexibility to maximize a weekends’ racing opportunity however the weather unfolds, with a reasonable limit on number of races in a single day.

2. Entry Fee

Now $40 for those 26 and older, and $25 for those 25 and under. Just five bucks more…and where else can you have so much fun for $20/day?! To encourage new blood, we’re giving the young set a break—we really need them to secure the future of our great sport. We are also in need of a modest cash infusion to keep our ATV in good condition. This Fall we had a complete tune up performed, and we installed stiffer springs, to accommodate our typical 2-person load and/or trailer towing duties.

3. Prizes

No more Senior Trophy. We’ll continue with Master, Grand Master and other specialty trophies. With most of us over 50 anyway, the trophy has really lost it’s meaning. Good reminder of why encouraging and helping the young set any way we can is so important!

See you on the ice!

Daniel Hearn US 5352

Western Region Rear Commodore

2019 Notice of Race

Western Lakes Regional DN Championship Regatta

1. Rules:
All races will be governed by the Racing Rules of the National Iceboat Authority; the By-Laws of the IDNIYRA, and Official Specifications of the DN Ice Yacht; the Notice of Race, including any amendments to the Notice of Race, (except as any of these are altered by the sailing instructions) and the Sailing Instructions. The Sailing Instructions can be modified at the Skippers Meeting and by a notice posted on the official notice board.

Nine (9) race regatta format – five (5) race maximum per day; three (3) race minimum in the Gold Fleet will constitute a completed regatta. Fleets – Gold & Silver with volunteer split for fleets; Rookie Division as part of the Silver Fleet.

2. Eligibility:
All DN class yachts meeting the requirements of the Official Specifications and whose skippers meet the requirements of the By-Laws of the IDNIYRA as stated in the section IDNIYRA Regattas are eligible to enter and race in the championship.
Proof of personal or race liability insurance ($300,000 minimum) will be needed at time of registration.

3. Site Information and Postings:
A. The primary site is within the North American Western Region
B. Site and Headquarters Information will be determined by the regatta organizer.
C. Official regatta information, updates and accommodations: idniyra.org & the DN America Forum

4. Entry and Fee:
A. The official entry form must be submitted and signed at registration.
B. Entry Fee
1. 26 and older: The entry fee is $40, payable at site of regatta in US dollars.
2. 25 and younger: The entry fee is $25, payable at site of regatta in US dollars.

5. Schedule of Events:
•Friday: 7-9 PM Registration at Regatta Hotel Headquarters
•Sat 8-9 on ice registration
•Sat 9:30 Skippers Meeting
•Sat 10:30 First DN start
•Sunday 10:00 First DN start. No race will start after 3:00 PM

6. Sailing Instructions:
Official Sailing Instructions will be provided at registration.

7. Prizes: Trophies will be awarded to the top five places in each fleet plus Top Woman, Top Junior, Top Rookie, Top Master (60 to 69), and Top Grand Master (70+)

2018 DN Gold Cup: The Journey Begins

Here’s an exciting video from the recent Polish Championship regatta to kick off the road to the DN Gold Cup and European Championship. The DN World Championship, which alternates between Europe and North America, will take place February 24 – March 3 somewhere in Europe. Poland’s Karol Jablonski P36 is the defending World and European champion and will be competing to take home his 12th Gold Cup. He’ll face a tough field by the looks of last weekend’s Polish Championship. (Results here) In the immortal word’s of The Icemaker, “It’s gonna be epic.”
Registered sailors for the 2018 Gold Cup
Sailors from North America making the trip are:
Chris Berger US5166
Bob Cummins US3433
Daniel Hearn US5353
Warren Nethercote KC3786
Ron Sherry US44
James “T” Thieler US5224