Lyle Portelance sailing on Thunder Bay in Ontario, Canada on April 2, 2021. Via Mike Madge.
It’s early April, and the DN ice sailing season is still going in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Mike Madge and friends are usually the first on the ice in November, making for a six-month run of ice sailing. Mike’s an experienced DN sailor who’s been on a mission to introduce the sport to the Thunder Bay area.
The final DN regatta of the season is taking place this week on Lake Baikal in Siberia. Follow along on the Baikal Ice Yacht Racing Facebook page for the latest news.
In memory of Mike Webber. From the 2018 DN North American championship at Charlevoix Lake in Michigan.
The DN community extends our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mike Webber.
Mike Webber, KC 5591
The Nova Ice Yacht Club lost one of its most active members on March 17 and the IDNIYRA lost a newer, committed DN sailor.
Mike Webber, KC 5591, of Petite Riviere Nova Scotia was a professional mariner, a marine engineer. His marine engineering career began on the Great Lakes and then moved to the salt water where he worked in offshore support and then on tankers. Most recently he was the Chief Engineer and Chief Superintendent for the Polar Prince, a Lunenburg-based research icebreaker engaged in seismic surveys, contract icebreaking and other Arctic operations.
Mike was a life-long sailor, who spent some of his time off as a professional mariner cruising the Caribbean with his wife and children. Mike only started iceboating about five years ago. He quickly graduated from beaters to competitive DNs. When he upgraded his DN program he helped others get started by giving way his beaters. He improved his performance through practice and seeking the advice of more experienced DN sailors. Last year he won his first race, and regatta, when he won the Maritimes Championship on Lake Mush-a-Mush, Nova Scotia. He finished 7th in the Silver fleet at the 2020 North American Championships at Fort Peck, Montana.
Mike will be remembered for his sunny personality. He could be counted on for support when help was required. Eight days driving with him, from Nova Scotia to Montana and back, was eight days well spent. Mike was 51: it was too soon for him to go.
Mike’s full obituary can be seen at www.sweenysfuneralhome.com
Warren Nethercote, KC 3786
Photographer Gretchen Dorian has put together a CD with over 850 images from the 2021 U.S. Nationals sailed on Black Lake in Michigan.
They are all keyworded with Sail number and name. They are lo-res jpgs, perfect for viewing on a Big Screen TV, making small thumbnails for your website or emails. They are in “chron” order, by file name. There is a very small “ggd” watermark in lower right corner. They are the same images on my website. $35.00 includes s/h. If interested please send me a note at ggdorian@gmail.com, so I know how many to burn and ship!
www.gretchendorian.com
iceboat.org Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club