LATEST NEWS
2024 Western Challenge Tentatively Called ON for Lake Minnewaska in MN
Video from the 2023 Western Challenge – Link to Video
Minnesota Ice Sailing Website
The 2024 Western Challenge, an informal ice sailing gathering, is tentatively scheduled for December 6–8 at Lake Minnewaska in Starbuck, Minnesota. Over the past two days, several Minnesota DNers and a few lucky guests from the east and west coasts have been enjoying some early-season sailing on Minnewaska.
But wait – that’s not all. An inch of fluffy snow fell last night, covering the already hoar-frosted ice. The forecast for Wednesday predicts winds of 20–30 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, raising concerns that the snow might form drifts. The ice will be inspected late Wednesday, with a final confirmation posted on the evening of December 4.
What to know:
2024 Western Challenge
Dates: December 6 – 8
Location: Tentatively Lake Minnewaska, Starbuck, MN
Next Update: Wednesday evening, December 4
2025 IDNIYRA Yearbook
The 2025 IDNIYRA Yearbook is now available for purchase in print format. A pdf version without the member lists is posted here on this website. The IDNIYRA Yearbook contains a wealth of information. In its over 300 pages, you can find regatta history, a record of class officers, Official DN Specifications, our governing documents, and much more. Those who have ordered a printed yearbook will receive it in the mail in the next few weeks.
BUY A YEARBOOK
Order an official DN class printed yearbook. Chock full of information including class history, governing, specifications, and more.
Order a Yearbook: $20
YEARBOOK SPONSORS:
- Composite Concepts
- Moore Brother Company/CSI Composite Solutions
- 1D Sails
- Hale Performance Coatings
- Toledo Ice Yacht Club
- Ullman Sails Detroit
From the Yearbook:
EARLY HISTORY OF THE IDNIYRAOn February 21 and 22, 1953 the Detroit Ice Yacht Club sponsored a regatta to bring the DN skippers together to help form an association. A meeting of the skippers was held at this regatta and two representatives from each club present were chosen to outline a constitution for the association. North Star Sail Club was represented by John Liston and Fred Kagel; Anchor Bay Ice Yacht Club by Tom King and A. J. Walker; Detroit Ice Yacht Club by William Sarns and Clifford Cartwright. The representatives met at the home of the Cartwrights the following Sunday afternoon and briefly outlined a constitution. William Sarns was elected to serve as temporary secretary and to compose the constitution. The secretary prepared a constitution and sent out copies to the representatives in the following fall. They were returned to the secretary along with desired changes. The changes that the majority wanted were incorporated and 200 copies were printed. A copy was sent out to each individual who attended the first regatta and others who were interested. On January 17, 1954 the Northwestern Ice Yachting Association passed a resolution that they would accept the DN Association’s specifications for their DN races which are now included in their annual regatta.
On January 7, 1954 the North Star Sail Club offered to be host for the annual regatta. There were no other offers so theirs was accepted. Sixty-two programs were sent out on February 1 for the regatta scheduled for February 20 and 21. On February 19 the regatta was transferred to Cass Lake because of poor ice at the North Star Club House on Lake St. Clair. The first five DN’s in this regatta were: (1) Jack Moran, (2) Skip Boston, (3) Paul Eggert, (4) Bill Sporer, and (5) Bill Sarns.
2025 Gold Cup World & NA Championship Notice of Race & Registration Open
2025 Worlds & NA Home Page
Registration for the 2025 DN Gold Cup World & North American Championship, hosted by Central Region Commodore Peter Johanson, is officially open, along with the release of the Notice of Race. This is your opportunity to secure your spot in one of the most exciting events on the DN calendar.
This year, we’ve made some updates to streamline procedures and make the event run as smoothly as possible. Here’s what you need to know about registration deadlines for inclusion in the starting position draw:
- Key Date: To be included in the random draw for starting positions, competitors must register and submit proof of $300,000 liability insurance by January 30, 2025. Submit your insurance early by emailing to secretary.idniyra@gmail.com
- If you register or submit proof of insurance after this date, don’t worry—you’re still welcome to compete, but starting positions will be assigned instead of being part of the random draw.
European and Junior Skippers:
- European and Junior skippers are not subject to a late fee penalty.
- European competitors are not subject to registration deadlines but must attend Check-In at the regatta site.
- European competitors are requested to notify the Class Secretary at secretary.idniyra@gmail.com that they will be attending.
We hope these updates will make planning easier for competitors and ensure a smooth kickoff to the event.
Friendly reminder: Don’t wait until the last minute—get registered early and take care of your insurance requirements so you can focus on what really matters: getting on the ice!
Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the event.
Register here: Link
See you on the ice!
2024 DN Central Region Championship Update
Via Central Region Commodore Peter Johanson:
Cold weather is coming to Michigan, 2024. The Central Region Championship still on hold, stand by.
2024 Western Region Championship: Not Done Yet!
2024 DN Western Region Championship
Notice of Race
Sailing Instructions
The DN Western Region faced weather challenges last season, which postponed the 2024 Western Region Championship. However, it’s still 2024, and it’s time to try again in December!
Western Region scouts will be hunting for ice in hopes of holding the 2024 Western Region Championship on one of the following upcoming weekends:
December 14–15
December 21–22
December 28–29
If you registered and paid for the 2024 Western Region Championship back in January, you do not need to pay again . However, it is mandatory to submit proof of liability insurance in order to compete. Please email your proof of liability insurance to: secretary.idniyra@gmail.com.
If you didn’t register and pay last January, registration will reopen if the regatta is called on. Stay prepared, and let’s hope for great ice!
2025 Western Region Championship Notice of Race
2023 World Championship. Photo: Catherine Firmbach
2025 WESTERN REGION CHAMPIONSHIP
NOTICE OF RACE – Click here to download NOR in pdf
Dates: January 4 – 5, 2025
Location: The primary site is within the North American Western Region. (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, UP of Michigan, Wisconsin)
Stay tuned to this website for further announcements.
DN Senior Shuffle
Following the 2025 Western Region Championship, the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club is excited to try the Senior Shuffle once again! This fun, age-friendly regatta will take place three days after the Westerns, offering an additional opportunity to enjoy the ice.
Eligibility:
• Open to Seniors (50-59), Masters (60-69) and Grand Masters (70+) who will race under Shuffle Rules with one start.
• Open to “aspiring” Seniors (49 or younger) who will also race under Shuffle Rules possibly with a separate start.
For more information and to register, visit iceboat.org.
First DN Regatta of the Season in Finland
DN Finland Facebook
Through our friend, Swedish DNer Dideric Van Reimsdijk, we have a look at the annual Week 46 regatta hosted by DN Finland. Located just above the Arctic Circle on the ice at Onkamojärvi, Finland, this event marks the beginning of the DN season. If you look closely at the sail numbers, you’ll notice an international crowd gathered on the first ice of the year.
And for those of us closer to home, the first informal DN gathering of the season, the Western Challenge, is coming up December 6-8 in Minnesota. Sharpen your runners and get ready to hit the ice!
2024 World Championship Video
Check out this video from the 2024 World Championship in Parnu, Estonia that dropped yesterday with appearances by several North America class members.
Video link.
Announcing the New DN European Grandmasters Regatta Website
PRO John Winquist sends them off at the 2022 DN Grand Masters .
DN Grand Masters Website
There’s a new dedicated website for the DN European Grandmasters regatta, designed specifically for DN sailors aged 60 and over. The website is live with event details, including the recently released dates for the 2025 regatta, set for January 28-30.
In other regatta news, the Junior DN and Ice Optimist World and European Championships will take place from February 7-16, 2025.
Junior Program Update
From left, Brett Husley, Maggie, Kayla, and Sam Bartel with the new Junior trailer donated by Brett.
Learn more about iceboating for kids.
Via Junior Sailing Director Sam Bartel US1011
Junior Program Update:
Mike Bloom, myself, Jillian McGary, and two junior sailors from MN (Maggie and Cayla) made the trip to Harken this past weekend. We had a BLAST! Thanks to the organizers of the celebration/program on Saturday night. It was fun to mingle with everyone, and hear from Harry and Kyle about their Youth America’s Cup experience.
I also want to extend a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone that supported the Junior Program at the swap meet!! I want to thank the following people in particular:
- To Brett Hulsey, for donating the enclosed box for our new junior program trailer (it can fit up to 4 boats inside and 1-2 on top!)
- To David Frost, for donating the funds that made it possible to buy the trailer for the enclosed box. Extra funds will be used to finish buying parts for our DNs and Ice Optis.
- To Peete Johns, for buying a DN from Bob Rast and then donating the entire program to the juniors.
- To Bob Cave, for donating a DN hull, plank, boom, and many other parts.
- To Mark Isabell, for donating a brand new Ice Opti hull.
- To Steve Orlebeke, for loaning his complete Ice Opti program.
- To John Harper, for donating a bunch of chocks, travel cover, and DN mast components.
- To Matt Meyer for donating a bunch of DN shrouds.
- And of course, to Mike Bloom for his endless support of myself and the junior sailors.
Our junior program now has 2 trailers, 4 Ice Optimists, and 3 DNs. Mike Bloom, myself, and the sailors in MN plan to take inventory of our gear this coming weekend. We’re also excited for the Western Challenge in just over a month, which will likely include the first Ice Optimist North American Championship in 10 years! If you know of other Ice Optimists and/or Ice Optimist sailors, please encourage them to attend. I’ll send an NOR out in the coming weeks.
Think Ice!
Sam Bartel US1011
Gearing Up the Next Generation of Ice Sailors: Junior Program Needs at Pewaukee Swap Meet
Help our junior sailors hit the ice! Your donated gear could make Ice Opti North Americans a reality.
Via IDNIYRA Junior Coach Sam Bartel US1011
Yo! This is your NA Junior Coach checking in. I’ll be heading to Pewaukee tomorrow/Sunday (October 26-27, 2024) for the swap meet to pick up some things for the junior program (a box trailer from Brett, as well as a DN hull and parts from Bob Cave and David Frost). Swap meet details here.
I have MANY eager junior sailors in MN. In particular, I have a number of Opti kids and parents interested in Ice Opti sailing. If we can pull together another 3-5 ice Optis in time for the Western Challenge, we could maybe have an Ice Opti North Americans alongside the DN event…??
If you have any of the following to donate (tax credit available via Deb Whitehorse), please send me a message via FB or text.
- Complete Ice Opti programs (hull/spars/blades/plank/etc.)
- Chocks and stud plates for DN plank (we are building planks for our juniors!)
- Carbon DN masts (mainly for small people 100-140lbs)
- Decent DN runners (plates/inserts)
- DN shrouds
- Aluminum DN booms
- Other DN hull/plank fittings appreciated
Respectfully, please do not donate your old clothing… it will likely end up in the garbage or at Goodwill 🙂
Sam
Current Newsletter
DN VIDEOS
iceboat.org
- 4LIYC Meeting Update! Zoom for Dec 4 December 3, 2024
Minnesota Ice Sailing Association
- 2024 Western Challenge December 2, 2024
Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club
- Plymouth Pond December 3, 2024
New England Ice Yacht Association
- Skim Ice Observed On Quaboag Pond December 3, 2024