by Deb Whitehorse | Apr 16, 2020 | 2020, Home Page

Results of DN Official Specifications Ballot
UPDATE: (8:33 AM CT) In question 3, the column of combined opposed was corrected from 74 to 174. Sorry for the error.
UPDATE #2: (12:30 PM CT) In question 3, the percentage of those voting in favor of the proposal was corrected from 62% to 41%.
Members of IDNIYRA and IDNIYRA EU recently voted on four proposed changes to the IDNIYRA Technical Specifications: (1) deletion of the existing specification of mast minimum weight; (2) deletion of the existing technical specification of minimum mast balance point height; (3) amendment of the materials specification of the ‘wood type’ runner body; and, (4) amendment of the minimum thickness of insert plate dimensions of the wood type runner with steel insert (insert runner). The results of the ballot follow.
Two hundred and thirty-three ballots were sent to IDNIYRA members of which 150 voted for a 64 percent return rate. Two hundred and seven ballots were sent to IDNIYRA EU members of which 155 voted for a 75 percent return rate. Two-thirds of the votes must support a measure for it to pass.
- 1. Deletion of the Existing Specification of Minimum Mast Weight:
Organization | In Favour | Opposed | Abstain |
IDNIYRA | 32 | 115 | 3 |
IDNIYRA EU | 77 | 72 | 6 |
Combined | 109 | 187 | 9 |
37 percent of those voting support proposal (1) so it fails.
- 2. Deletion of the Existing Specification of Minimum Mast Balance Point:
Organization | In Favour | Opposed | Abstain |
IDNIYRA | 37 | 111 | 2 |
IDNIYRA EU | 91 | 59 | 5 |
Combined | 128 | 170 | 7 |
43 percent of those voting support proposal (2) so it fails.
- 3. Amendment of the Materials Specification of the ‘Wood Type’ Runner Body:
Organization | In Favour | Opposed | Abstain |
IDNIYRA | 36 | 109 | 5 |
IDNIYRA EU | 84 | 65 | 6 |
Combined | 120 | 174 | 11 |
41 percent of those voting support proposal (3) so it fails.
- 4. Amendment of the Minimum Thickness of Insert Plate Dimensions of the Wood Type Runner with Steel Insert (Insert Runner):
Organization | In Favour | Opposed | Abstain |
IDNIYRA | 139 | 10 | 1 |
IDNIYRA EU | 109 | 41 | 5 |
Combined | 248 | 51 | 6 |
83 percent of those voting support proposal (4) so it passes.
Proposal 4, having passed, will come into effect on May 31, 2020 and will be reflected in the 2021 IDNIYRA Yearbook.
The members engagement in the voting process and the governance of the DN Class is very much appreciated.
Warren Nethercote, Commodore IDNIYRA
Attila Pataki, Commodore IDNIYRA EU
by Deb Whitehorse | Apr 12, 2020 | 2020, Home Page

Electronic balloting works! As of today, 62% of eligible IDNIYRA members and 56% of eligible IDNIYRA EU members have voted on four proposals for changes in the IDNIYRA Official Specifications. These numbers are records for voter participation. Our voting security measures prevent us from knowing how people voted until balloting closes, but we do know how many have voted.
If you haven’t voted yet, would you like to make our return rate even better? We cannot send a new invitation to vote, but if you haven’t voted yet, you should find the original invitation to vote in you inbox for March 25th.
Polling on the Official Specifications ballot closes on Wednesday April 15th. Shortly after that you should be receiving another ballot, this time for our annual election of IDNIYRA Officers.
Warren Nethercote
Commodore IDNIYRA
by Deb Whitehorse | Apr 8, 2020 | 2020, Home Page

Greg Bugula’s vintage DN iceboat “My first very own DN iceboat I bought today!I’m am amazed how beautifully simple it is!”
Here’s a great article for all you cruisers and keepers of vintage DNs from Sail-World written by Greg Bugala:
I grew up sailing on Lake Fenton and saw a lot of iceboats sailing; as a kid I was always chasing them with my skates. Now aged 60, I found an old used DN iceboat for sale and decided to buy it. Number 1409, it was built around 1970. The DN is a small class racing vessel born in the 1930s via the Detroit News who sponsored a design contest. Today DNs are raced all around the world in the northern hemisphere.
Continue reading.
by Deb Whitehorse | Mar 27, 2020 | 2019, Home Page

Ontario Sailor Magazine
Those of you in Canada will want to check out the latest issue of Ontario Sailor which has an article focusing on DN sailing and Mike Madge KC5449. I think I see Peter Van Rossem KC2766 in the article as well.
by Deb Whitehorse | Mar 25, 2020 | 2020, Home Page

The IDNIYRA is pleased to announce the dates of the Gold Cup and North American Championship Regattas for 2021. Please mark your calendars for January 24 – 30, 2021. Registration will take place on Saturday, January 23, 2021.
REGATTA MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
(II) DN Class Regattas
7. General rules for World DN Championship (Gold Cup), a European Championship and a North American Championships (GC, EC, NAC).
d)The GC, EC, NAC shall be held during a specific week, beginning on a Saturday with registration and with Sunday as first racing day. The regatta ends on or before the following Saturday.