by Deb Whitehorse | Nov 29, 2023 | 2023, 2024
Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club Skeeter Sailor and Past Champions Iceboat Shop Trailer-Repair-Specialist, Ken Whitehorse
Junior Program Trailer Locked and Loaded
Submitted by Daniel Hearn
It’s an exciting day for ice sailing in the US of A! Thanks to 4LIYC’s Ken Whitehorse, with an assist from Paul Krueger, the chariot that will carry the next generation of American ice sailors into the future is ready to roll.
Can’t think of a better trailer for the job, as this one was formerly owned by the legendary, Jane Pegel, who always carried the torch for everything youth sailing. Now, the original aluminum frame, with high capacity rack system and dock box, is equipped with a new axle, bearings and leaf springs; new LED lights, a shiny new safety, new radial tires on new rims, and a new spare bias ply tire on a new rim.
Our new enthusiastic and visionary Junior Program leader, Sam Bartel, is now well equipped. He has gathered up an arsenal of DNs and Ice Optis which will ride on this trailer. And he’s got a back of newbie ice sailing kids lined up to give it a go at the Great Western Challenge. Pinch me, I must be dreaming!
Many thanks to Donny Anderson for the trailer donation for this cause. And to Dave Elsmo for the dock box donation. Think Ice! And let’s all help Sam refill the pipeline!
PK at the bench clamp
by Deb Whitehorse | Nov 27, 2023 | 2023, 2024, Home Page
Junior Sailing Page
Our new Director of Junior Sailing, Sam Bartel US1011, has created an engaging and informative slideshow tailored for potential junior ice boaters.
Don’t miss Sam Bartel’s informative presentation, whether you’re a novice, a supportive parent of an iceboater, or a seasoned veteran. Sam has already generated interest among junior sailors who are ready to try iceboating at the Western Challenge.
by Deb Whitehorse | Mar 8, 2022 | 2022, Home Page
DN Junior World Champion Oskar Svensson S714. Photo: Valeri Larinov
IDNIYRA Europe Report & Results
The 2022 Junior DN and Ice Optimist World Championships have concluded in Haapsalu, Estonia. Sweden’s Oskar Svensson S714 continued his remarkable season by winning the DN Junior title. Five-time winner Rasmus Maaliin C20 of Estonia placed a close second, only one point behind Oskar. Oskar led the IDNIYRA World Championship in Norway until the last day and finished third. On his way to Estonia, Oskar won the Finnish Championship.
Familiarize yourself with these names because you’ll be seeing Oskar and Rasmus at the top of the Gold Fleet in the coming years.
Ice Optimist World Champion Aron Poolma C3, of Estonia. Photo: Valeri Larinov
by Deb Whitehorse | Aug 16, 2020 | 2020, Home Page
Meet Aniela Gracyk of Poland. She’s an accomplished Ice Optimist sailor who is following in the runner tracks of her father, Robert Gracyk P31. This coming winter could be the perfect opportunity to introduce your kids to ice sailing. Ice Optimists are specifically designed for junior sailors. Buy a used one or you could easily build an Ice Optimist as a family project. Learn more about the Ice Optimist and ice sailing for kids here.
Video filmed and edited by Tomek Zakrzewsk P55.
by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 4, 2019 | 2019, Home Page
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.
