by Deb Whitehorse | May 7, 2024 | 2024, 2024 NA, Home Page
The Online Magazine of the International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association
May 2024
Get ready for the latest edition of Runner Tracks, which marks the end of another season. Featuring an incredible cover shot captured by Swiss photographer Gilles Morelle during the 2024 Worlds in Parnu, Estonia. 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:
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IN THIS ISSUE
- Thoughts on Measurement & Building Tolerances by Warren Nethercote
- 2024 North American Championship Recap by Mike Bloom and Karen Binder
- Adventures in Iceboating – 2024 North Americans by Ron Sherry
- Regatta Results
We’d Like to Thank Our Sponsors
by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 18, 2024 | 2024, Home Page
Update from Mike Bloom:
We raced today. On a reservoir 3 hours from Panjin. Now we are driving back—long day.
The ice was pretty good but covered with sand. And it was very windy- MS1 windy. After two races, my runners were dull, as were everyone else’s. There was lots of sliding. I didn’t bring sharpening stones. Lesson learned.
It was a fun day with five races. I have not seen results, but the Anton Didenko R166 won again. I did beat him one race, but it was probably his throw-out. My best race today was a second. I was third in another race but was DSQ for sailing inside a darling mark. I don’t know if I did or not, but I do know I never saw it. We are not coming back here tomorrow because it’s just too far to drive when many of the Europeans need to catch a late afternoon train to Beijing. So, that means I’m done sailing in China.
China is amazing. What a wonderful trip, making new friends and seeing old ones. It’s great to sail on Chinese ice—the first American ever(!) to do so.
I am looking forward to the Western Region Championship.
Mike Bloom US321
by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 14, 2024 | 2024, Home Page
No racing today. Too much wind. Instead we went to a frozen river in the middle of the Jinzhou City and raced Chinese iceboats that are similar to Blokarts. In actuality, it was a public demonstration organized by the President Wang of the Jinzhou Yacht Club. I couldn’t believe the number of spectators along the shoreline. Thousands came out to watch. Later in the day the DN sailors mentored local college kids as the students sailed iceboats for their first time. It was so fun to spend time with them and watch them progress. Fortunately, the language barriers didn’t get in the way. Tomorrow we hit the ice bright and early as we hope to get back to racing.
Think ice.
Mike Bloom US321
Link to video
by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 13, 2024 | 2024, Home Page
Screenshot from video. Mike Bloom sailing US5166 and Jost Kolb in G936.
Here’s the main event, Mike Bloom’s racing report from Jinzhou, China:
Three races in the books. Pretty windy. Ice is about a seven. It has an orange peel texture and drifts. The course was maybe .75 miles. The top guys sailed 95 degree inserts. I sailed 90 degree inserts because that’s all I brought. Wish they didn’t have stiffeners as the ice is 40 percent drifts. I sailed two races with a full sail then switched to a flat sail. I should have sailed the flat sail all three races but you can’t fix stupid. I think I’m in about fifth. Best race a fourth. The Russian kid, Anton Didenko R163, is winning with three bullets. Tonight we have a reception with the Mayor of Jinzhou. It’s another example of the Chinese making a big deal about everything. They are making us all feel so special and important. It’s kind of fun for once.
Joerg did an interview for Chinese national TV. Someone said the station is watched by literally millions of viewers. I heard he did a great job.
Think ice!
Mike Bloom US321
Joerg Bohn checks in:
The Chinese are just starting iceboating. They are brave to sail with wooden and aluminum masts and stiff planks. Their first boats built are heavy too. But they are very enthusiastic people. You will see CH-999 at the Worlds. Give them 3-5 years and they’ll be competitive. Their organization is outstanding. They flew in the Baikal Race Committee. We are sailing on the sea but there are lakes too. Can only encourage everyone to come here next year. Tomorrow perhaps too high winds in the forecast.
Joerg Bohn G737
by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 11, 2024 | 2024, Home Page
The inaugural international DN regatta in China has begun, and Minnesota sailor Mike Bloom, US321 checks are. The time difference adds a bit of mystery about when the races kicked off. Joerg Bohn, G737, has also shared photos and videos. Check them out on our Facebook page.
Stay tuned for further updates on this groundbreaking DN regatta, which is taking place in the heart of China.
Life is good! Jost Kolb G936 and I successfully met up this morning at the Beijing train station. On any given day, it’s got to be one of the busiest places in the world. I have never seen so many people in one place. Jost and I then traveled together for 3 hours on a bullet train traveling 241km/hr to Jinzhou [Liaoning] South. There we meet up with Joerg Bohn G737 and Valarie Dichenko R166 for a fun mini-reunion at the regatta headquarters.
The entire fleet then took a bus to dinner at a local restaurant. The big debate of the evening surrounded a bottle of clear liquid supplied by our hosts. The Russians insisted it was vodka while the Chinese said it was white wine. Unfortunately, despite emptying several several bottles, no decision was rendered. Instead, promises were made to try again tomorrow night.
After dinner I learned racing starts tomorrow. That’s a day earlier than what I expected. I probably should have put the Notice of Race, which was written in Chinese, though Google Translate.
It was also nice to see that the race committee is much of the same crew that ran the races when I was in Baikal. It’s a top-notch crew. With their experience, they’ll have no trouble cycling through the 3 fleets. So I expect lots of racing.
First race tomorrow is at noon. I plan to get up early, put the boat on the ice and attend the opening ceremonies. Hopefully, I’ll get a couple of laps in before they drop the first flag.
That’s all for now.
Think ice.
Mike Bloom US321
Via Joerg Bohn G737
First day at the sports university. They are educating sports teacher (Masters degree). Summer sailing is already a possible choice. The whole university is moving into a new campus in September into the neighborhood of the Jinzhou Sailing Club. They have professional sailing coaches. They have a partnership with the sailing club and can use all Olympic classes and beyond. Now they started, due to at least 3 month ice, every year. It is perfectly smooth and dry and is part of the bay, which is part of the South Chinese Sea. We will race against 20 students who picked sailing as their major. They had 30 DNs built. They are more the old style DN at are really heavy. Now the bought the first boats from Poland and will due to President of the sailing Club Wang, Qiguang registered for both, Worlds- and North Americans gain new experience over the season.
