The Online Magazine of the International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association
March 2024
The March issue of the DN class newsletter, Runner Tracks, is now available online. Dive into the latest edition featuring minutes from the Annual General Meeting and a fascinating article by Bob Cummins detailing his travels to Parnu, Estonia, for the 2024 World and European Championship. Check it out today!
Whether you are an experienced ice boater or a newcomer, Runner Tracks is the ultimate resource for everything related to ice boating. Check out the complete online library here.
Mark Kiefer, aka “The Ice Maker,” passed away on March 9, 2024, at the age of 71, after a short illness.
Mark was a passionate sailor and a long-time iceboater. He sailed out of the Wayzata Yacht Club and, in his younger days, raced a DN. Mark will always be known in the DN iceboat community as co-founder of the Great Western Challenge and the short-lived World Ice Racing Circuit. Mark served two terms as Commodore of the IDNIYRA from 2000 – 2001.
Mark grew up in Moorhead, MN, but spent many early winter days on the lakes of west-central MN, including Lake Christina in Ashby, MN. Mile Marker 8, along Christina’s northern shore, became the famous launch site of the Great Western Challenge.
Iceboaters have always considered plowing a track to race when snow prevented sailing. The Icemaker took that vision to the next level and founded the World Ice Racing Circuit. He enlisted a few sponsors and got enough funds to plow two tracks on Lake Phalen in St Paul, MN. Mark envisioned four abreast NASCAR-style racing with TV coverage. He even convinced the Paul Winter Carnival to make it an official carnival event with boats in the parade and a sideshow of a petting zoo!
Mark mentored many newbies into the DN sport. He freely shared his knowledge and often let newcomers take their first rides in his boat. His later years were spent without a suitable boat but he always championed his Great Western Challenge.
On a more personal note, I have fond memories of scouting ice with Mark. He taught me how to assess ice and introduced me to the numerous northern lakes suitable for racing. I think of Mark often as I have taken over his scouting duties.
We extend our deepest condolences to Mark’s family and friends during this difficult time. A private funeral is being planned.
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The wind never made an appearance on Day 3, but we were treated to another BBQ at the launch site, this one from Polish DN Association. The Finnish team grilled sausages on after first day of racing on shore. There’s a group dinner tonight here at the hotel. Stay tuned for more from Parnu, Estonia and the 2024 IDNIYRA World, European, and Junior Championship. Ways to Follow IDNIYRA European Website for official information IDNIYRA Europe Facebook IDNIYRA Europe YouTube for daily reports Gilles Morelle Images – Professional Photographer
Canadian sailors John Curtis and Jacek Marzenski on the starting line from Day 2.
Just time for a very quick note this morning before heading to the launch. Yesterday was big breeze and shell ice. The fleets waited it out and were able to sail three races.
Training Day, Saturday, February 3, 2024. Photo: Gilles Morelle
Good morning from Parnu, Estonia, home of the 2024 DN World & European Championship and Junior World Championships. Just back from breakfast buffet where competitors were starting their day. We’ll soon be heading to the launch site, about 11 km from the hotel, for opening ceremonies followed by a skipper’s meeting and then racing. North Americans here include Chris Berger, Bob Cummins, John Curtis, David Frost, Daniel Hearn, Jacek Marzenski, and Ron Sherry. I’ll try for some Facebook live today on the IDNIYRA North American Facebook page.
The DN is most popular iceboat in the world. Whether you are a racer or cruiser, your $25 membership in the IDNIYRA helps to promote the art and skill of DN ice yacht construction and the sport of ice yachting on all the hard waters of the world.
