LATEST NEWS
Notice of Electronic Ballot
Photo: Harken / Hannah Lee Noll
All members in good standing should have received an email invitation from Election Buddy today to vote for our next Executive Committee and two proposals. If you have not received the email invitation, please check your spam folder. Contact secretary.idniyra@gmail.com if you have not received your ballot. Please participate and vote.
From Runner Tracks May 2023 Commodore’s Column by IDNIYRA Commodore Jody Kjoller:
There are two proposals, one is to amend the IDNIYRA Constitution, and the other is the amend the IDNIYRA By-Laws. [See February 2023 Runner Tracks]
Proposal 1: Amend the IDNIYRA Constitution
The Governing Committee supports the “Proposal to amend the IDNIYRA Constitution Article VI and Article XII” submitted by Warren Nethercote KC3786. We have not had a way to remove anyone from an elected position until this proposal. As you know, situations arise where an individual may no longer represent the best interests of an organization. This proposal will allow said persons to be removed if need be.Proposal 2: Amend the IDNIYRA By-Laws
Proposal to amend IDNIYRA By-Laws General 1, proposed by Jody Kjoller US5435. There has been a bit of a debate about this proposal. Participants at the annual meeting amended and approved annual class dues increase to $50 US dollars. Since the meeting, there has been much discussion concerning “non-racing, dues-paying members”. There is a rather large group of our membership that no longer actively races the DN but still wants to be part of the class. There is a concern that such an increase in dues may deter this group from maintaining their class membership. Please think about this before you vote.
Harry “Buddy” Melges 1930 – 2023
Buddy Melges adjusts his sail at the 1975 IDNIYRA North American Championship on Lake Geneva. Photo: Henry Bossett
The IDNIYRA extends our deepest sympathies to the family of Buddy Melges US2974, one of the most incredible soft and hard water sailors of all time.
Buddy raced in nearly every class of iceboat, including the DN. He competed in two DN regattas in 1975, one of which involved Coast Guard helicopters and ice floes on Saginaw Bay in Michigan. See the stories and results below.
Sailors from all over have shared their stories about Buddy Melges on social media. DN class sailors have many of their own. Joe Norton US781 recalled the 1975 North American Championship qualification races when Buddy searched for the correct settings for sticky snow. Joe suggested a few and, in the next race, Joe started in the one or two blocks. Joe had a decent lead, and suddenly there was Buddy windward of him like a fast freight train and went on to win the race. Joe also recalled, “as much as Buddy loved iceboating, it didn’t hold a candle to his passion for duck hunting.”
Ron Sherry US44 won the 1997 Renegade Championship thanks to Buddy’s advice on easing the side stays on his Renegade. Ron commented, “If you make the people around you faster, you will also become quicker. Buddy followed this principle.”
Runner Tracks Newsletter May 2023
The Online Magazine of the International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association
Runner Tracks cover sailor, Jost Kolb, invites you to read the latest issue, featuring articles on DN sailing worldwide, informative results, and a Bob Gray technical article. We want to thank our sponsors who made this all possible.
In the coming days, all eligible members will receive an electronic ballot to vote for officers and two proposals. Please check the Commodore’s column for more details on the proposals. By the way, this will be Commodore Jody Kjoller’s final column. Thank you, Jody, for contributing to keeping the IDNIYRA as a thriving one-design class.
RUNNER TRACKS IS AVAILABLE IN THREE DIFFERENT FORMATS:
Flipbook Magazine
Download pdf file (best for tablets)
Download single page pdf (best for phones)
Runner Tracks Library – previous issues
IN THIS ISSUE
- Richard Gustring – Remembering a Friend by Ron Sherry
- Grand Masters Report by Hal Bowman
- Staggered Starts by Andre Baby
- DN Tech – Replacing the Stud Plates by Bob Gray
- DN China Arrives by Jorg Bohn, Dimitriy Kachin, and DN China
- Regatta Results
Get this issue in a full color soft cover book for $20.
RUNNER TRACKS SPONSORS
- 1D Sails
- Composite Concepts
- Red Wolf – DN-Parts.com
- Moore Brother Company/CSI Composite Solutions
- Hale Performance Coatings
- RKR Composites
- Toledo Ice Yacht Club
- Ullman Sails Detroit
Get this issue in a full color soft cover book for $20.
Struble Extends DN season in California
The DN season wasn’t over yet for 2023 World & North American champion Matt Struble US183 who sailed in his home state of California yesterday at America’s Landsailing Championship held at Ivanpah. Considered the “cathedral of land sailing,” Ivanpah dry lake is located on the border of California and Nevada. He joined other ice sailors from around the country. Via Ken Smith’s Facebook page:
A brisk first day sailing ALC at Ivanpah, CA. About 70 competitors in roughly 90 land sailing yachts (sailors in multiple classes). Midwest DN iceboaters include Bob Cave, Lou Lonnecke, Pat Heppert, Pete Johns, and Daniel Hearn. Also Bill Dale and a pair from New England.
We sailed one round of five class starts. We got DN champ Matt Strubble racing in a mini skeeter, a class 3, and a DN on wheels. Wide wind range, shifty direction, and large wind holes made sailing, umm, interesting! -Ken SmithMatt Struble replies: Absolute blast! Thanks Ken Smith, Peete Johns for a great day of sailing. I logged some wonderful miles of sailing. Felt at home in the DN, especially at the start.
2023 Centrals Update: Postponed Until December
All,
Thanks everyone for your patience. We will try again in December or first ice in Michigan.
Be sure to grease your runners and do your building over the summer. Be ready!!
Think ice!,
Central Lakes Rear Commodore
Rob Holman US3705
DN Tech Talk 16: Race Course & Sailing Angles
Via Tomek Zakrzewski
This video is comparison of two extreme ice conditions sailing angles and racecourses. Based on my GPS logs collection from past few years.
2023 Junior World DN & Ice Optimist Championship
RESULTS
Photos: Sails Up Facebook Group
Congratulations to the ice sailors, the future of our sport, who competed at the 2023 Junior World Championship in Kertuoja, Lithuania, March 5 – 7. Day one brought challenging snow-covered ice conditions and winds of 12 – 18 mph. Competitors played the wind waiting game on day two before it filled in time to complete the regatta on Tuesday, March 7. Unfortunately, another snowstorm on Wednesday ended hopes of holding the Junior European Championship.
2023 Junior Ice Optimist World Champions Top 3
1. C3 Aron Poolma, Estonia
2. C1 Emma Mia Kaar, Estonia
3. C28 Anni Kubjas, Estonia
2023 Junior DN World Champions Top 3
1. S714 Oskar Svensson, Sweden
2. C20 Rasmus Maalinn, Estonia
3. P90 Cezary Sternicki, Poland
2023 Centrals Update: Postponed – Next Update March 16
Photo: Cathy Firmbach
We still have ice in the Northern regions of Michigan yet there is still a lot of snow on it. We still under postponement for the 2023 Central Regatta.
Next update will be Thursday 16-Mar-2023 evening. For now, stay tuned & keep your stuff ready!!
Think ice!,
Central Lakes Rear Commodore
Rob Holman US3705
2023 Centrals Update: Postponed – Next Update March 9
Photo: Cathy Firmbach
All,
We still have ice in the Northern regions of Michigan yet there is still a lot of snow on it. We still under postponement for the 2023 Central Regatta.
Next update will be the evening of Thursday, March 9, 2023.
For now, stay tuned & keep your stuff ready!!
Think ice!,
Central Lakes Rear Commodore
Rob Holman US3705
2023 Centrals Update: Postponed – Next Update March 2
2023 World Championship Race 2 winner, Griffin Sherry, breaks out a familiar move, signaling a win like his dad, Ron Sherry, in appreciation to his aunts who scored these events for many years. Photo: Cathy Firmbach
As most of you know by now we have had a lot snow here in Michigan. I am sorry to report that the 2023 Central Regatta is still postponed.
Next update will be the evening of Thursday, March 2, 2023.
For now, stay tuned & keep your stuff ready!!
Think ice!,
Central Lakes Rear Commodore
Rob Holman US3705
Congratulations Tomek Zakrzewski, 2023 European Champion
2023 European Championship: Tomek Zakrzewski P55 first place, and Robert Graczyk P31 third place on Lake Kertuojai, Lithuania
RESULTS
Congratulations to Tomek Zakrzewski P55 for winning the Gold Fleet of the 2023 IDNIYRA European Championship sailed on Lake Kertuojai, Lithuania. Tomek won the tiebreak with IDNIYRA European Commodore Mikhel Kosk C45, who placed second. Robert Gracyk P31 was third.
Joonas Kiisler C53 took first in Silver, and Timo Lehmuskallio L103 took first in Bronze. Congratulations to all who participated and hung tough under challenging conditions.
Current Newsletter
DN VIDEOS
iceboat.org
- Buddy’s BULL May 29, 2023
Minnesota Ice Sailing Association
- sailing in lake city February 19, 2023