iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

The Skeeter Iceboat Club is hosting its 31st Annual Swap meet Sunday, October 30, 2016, 9am to noon. This is the Grand Daddy of all swap meets. More equipment changes hands at this swap meet than all others combined. There will be Skeeters, Renegades, Arrows, Nites, DN’s and who knows what else. Boat builders and hardware manufacturers all set up displays. If you want to buy or sell something (or simply shoot the bull!) this is the place to be. All the big names of iceboating show up for this one.

…it seems sailors in the DN fleet are not the only ones getting schooled these days by Matt Struble. Matt is as fast on soft water as he is on ice. Maybe faster. Matt dominated the 2016 North American A Class Catamaran Regatta. He won the Overall and Foiling Division to retain the title he won last year. But check out his finishes: 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 (46-DNS) (46-DNS). Matt had such a commanding lead in the standings that he did to sail the last two races. I also heard Matt won race 8 by almost a half a leg. For those of us that competed at last year’s NA’s this is a way too familiar story.

Here's proof that the iceboat season is not far away. The September issue of the DN newsletter “RUNNER TRACKS” has been posted online. This issue features the latest ranking list and an informative article by Chad Atkins of the NEIYA discussing the IDNIYA-Europe proposal to allow rope halyards. The east coast boys are always pushing the envelope and have been experimenting with rope halyards and stays with positive results.
Read it at: http://na.idniyra.org/runnertracks/
THINK ICE!

Ice is only 3 months away, so it is time to buckle down and focus on repairs and improvements. Click on this post to see a little write up and pictures below on the new plank for the C skeeter. If my posts get too annoyingly long, let me know. It seems like the C skeeter is telling me it wants a wider plank, because I start adding lead at about 10-12 MPH wind. So I am moving from a 16' plank to a 17' plank. The new plank will also be very hollow to reduce weight, and somewhat stiffer so the boat doesn't bottom out as easily.

It's not too early to get these dates on your calendars:

DN Western Challenge - December 2-4, 2016 Best ice in Minnesota

2017 Western Region DN Regatta - January 7-8, 2017 - backup dates January 14-15, 2017

2017 DN Gold Cup and NA's - Jauary 22-28, 2017 - The Western Region hosts this event for the first time in 6 years! Mike Miller, Western Region Rear Commodore along with his committee is planning for an exceptional event. Make sure you reserve the time off to attend. If you want to help in any way, my contact info is below.

Tim Carlson at Sailcrafters http://sailcrafters.com/ has announced the date for this years Iceboat swap for the Twin Cities area.
Mark November 5 from 10-1 PM on your calendar.
The annual Lake Geneva swap is usually the next day. Details will be posted later.

John Bushey (US 5158) continues to win at the big events. Competing out of the Lake Riley Sugarbush and Ice Yacht Club, John is never one to rest on past laurels. So, it is no surprise that John, once again, won multiple ribbons at the 2016 MN State Fair competition with several varieties of his world famous maple syrup. Congratulations, John!

The IDNIYRA announced the launch of its new North American website. Many thanks to those who made it happen including Executive Secretary Deb Whitehorse and Tonka's own Jim McDonagh. Thanks also to NEIYC Commodore James "Mr. T" Thieler for spreading the word and letting me plagiarize one of his posts. You can visit the new DN Class website at: http://na.idniyra.org.

The DN Membership page has also been updated. Now joining, renewing, or supporting the class is easier than ever! Just go to: http://na.idniyra.org and click on the memebrship link at the top of the page.

....and it is the GREAT WESTERN CHALLANGE!

NEIYC Commodore James "T" Thieler (DN US 5224) eats sleeps and breaths iceboating. If it has anything to do with racing he is all in. So, it is no surprise that with just 6 months to go (give or take a week or two) Mr. "T" optimistically posted the first NOR of the season.

The only thing "T" forgot to mention is that "Friday is always the best day," sailors of all ability are welcome and, of course, "its going to be epic!

What follows is T's post on the NEIYC web site:
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Six Months…

If you belong to the IDNIYRA you just received a ballot in the mail. This is your chance to vote for the officers who make up the DN Governing Committee and for 2 changes to the class By-Laws. Cast your ballot. Let your voice be heard. Just remember to return your ballot by July 1, 2016. If you are not already a member of the IDNIYRA now is also a good time to ask "Why Not?" Most of us take advantage of the DN class without even knowing. Do you ever go online to learn how to make a repair or look for regatta information? You can thank the DN class for the web site.

If you ask anyone on the iceboat circuit to name one person who singlehandedly has had a profound impact on our sport the unanimous answer would be Jorge Bohn (G-737). Unfortunately for the fleet, Jorge recently announced his retirement as European Commodore.

Jorge frequently travels to Minnesota to sail the Great Western Challenge. He is a true ambassador of our sport and the Minnesota sailors owe him a debt of gratitude for his service and leadership. What follows is his final post found on the IDNIYRA-Europe website.
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Maybe the season really isn't over.
Yes, the ice is out on Tonka but it snowed today. Tonight's forcast is for a low of 29 degrees. And, they are racing DN's as we speak in Baikal Russsia.
Maybe I am overly optimistic but Think Ice!

Caught on video.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1105999412785742&id=52180763...

(click for pictures) We got in 4 races today before noon, which is quite obviously a BEIYC record considering our races usually don't even start before noon. Ice was soft and sticky, winds were high but plenty manageable. The new marks and starting blocks have catapulted the club into the 21st century, if only we could figure out what the numbers mean. Brett Smith was consistently fast all day, and had a runner in the air a lot. Some pictures below.

Well, they say ice boating is mostly social and this weekend was no exception. It was mostly all talk and very little action. Yesterday, we stood around and swapped stories as we had zero wind. Today, it blew the dogs off their chains. High winds and soft ice saw the Tonka fleet back in the pits by 11:00.

Spring sailing is always iffy. If you venture out after the weekend scout the ice and sail safe. Wear ice claws. And never sail alone!