LATEST NEWS
2022 Western Region Championship NOR & Update
Line up for the 2018 DN Western Region championship on Lake Mendota, Madison, WI
2022 DN WESTERN REGION CHAMPIONSHIP NOTICE OF RACE
Date: January 1-2, 2022
Location: TBD. The Western Region includes Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and Indiana.
NOTICE OF RACE
Sunday update via Western Region Commodore Chris Berger US5166
We are keeping an eye on ice conditions across the region and hoping for the best. Prospects look questionable at this time but that could change. On Wednesday, December 29, 2021, by 1 PM CT, we will either call the regatta on or postpone. If you have ice, please let us know!
Runner Tracks December 2021
Runner Tracks
The Online Magazine of the International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association
Latest Issue: December 2021
Just in time for the holidays, 32 pages of the best in DN sailing and the last issue of 2021. Many thanks to our advertisers who help bring Runner Tracks to you.
- Composite Concepts
- DN-Parts.com
- Moore Brother Company/CSI Composite Solutions
- Hale Performance Coatings
- Hamrak Icewise
- RKR Composites
- Toledo Ice Yacht Club
- Ullman Sails Detroit
RUNNER TRACKS IS AVAILABLE IN THREE DIFFERENT FORMATS:
Flipbook Magazine
Download pdf file (best for tablets)
Download single page pdf (best for phones)
IN THIS ISSUE
- What’s Coming Out of Your Megaphone? by Daniel Hearn
- Commodore’s Column
- Siberian Adventure by Reuben Snodgress
- Thoughts on Runner Specifications by Warren Nethercote
- Western Challenge Junior Sailing Report by Erin Bury
- Western Challenge Photos & Report by Deb Whitehorse
Get this issue in a full color soft cover book for $18. 
2022 U.S Nationals Notice of Race & Registration
The Central Region and Regatta Chairman Rob Holman (US 3705), on behalf of the IDNIYRA, hereby invites all DN ice boaters to the 2022 DN US National Championship Regatta. Click here to register for the U.S. Nationals.
WHAT TO KNOW:
U.S. Nationals Regatta (a non-ranking regatta)
Dates: January 23 – 29, 2022
Location: Primary Site: Central Region (Ohio & Michigan)
NOTICE OF RACE
2022 U.S. Nationals Event Page
Registration Page ONLINE ONLY
Important Dates:
- January 4, 2022: Regatta sweatshirt deadline. Only those who register by January 4, 2022 will receive a regatta sweatshirt.
- January 14, 2022, 7 PM ET: Early registration deadline for early entry fee. Registration is online only.
- January 15 – 22, 2022: LATE REGISTRATION – Online only until 7 PM local time. Late registration fee applies.
- January 20, 2022, 8PM CST: Primary site info to be posted on IDNIYRA website.
- January 23, 2022: 9 AM Skippers meeting
- January 23, 2022 first race at time stated in sailing instructions.
- January 29, 2022 racing can be concluded if regatta complete, PRIZES shall be awarded after the regatta is completed.
2022 IDNIYRA Yearbook
Ron Sherry US44, first place at 2021 U.S. Nationals. Photo: gretchendorian.com
The 2022 IDNIYRA Yearbook is now available for purchase in print format. A pdf version without the member lists is posted online. The IDNIYRA Yearbook contains a wealth of information. In its 308 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: $17
USE YOUR CREDIT CARD OR PAYPAL
ORDER A YEARBOOK: $17
YEARBOOK SPONSORS:
- Composite Concepts
- DN-Parts.com
- Moore Brother Company/CSI Composite Solutions
- Northwind and 1D Sails
- Hale Performance Coatings
- Hamrak Icewise
- RKR Composites
- 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.
Western Challenge Photos by Sean Heavey
Western Challenge sailors on Lake Christina may have noticed the drone buzzing around over the weekend. Montana photographer Sean Heavey made the trip to the Challenge and has shared his photos. He sends his apologies for not getting everyone’s pictures because he spent a lot of time practicing flying the new drones and figuring out to cover the action with them. See the photos here.
Western Challenge Called On for Dec 3 – 5
Via John Dennis, the Western Challenge is called on for Lake Christina in Ashby, MN December 3 – 5, 2021. The Western Challenge is a an informal tune-up fun regatta for DNs.
What: Western Challenge
Date: December 3 – 5, 2021
Where: Lake Christina in Ashby, MN
Lodging: Recommended nearest Battle Lake, Minnesota
Battle Lake Inn and Suites (almost full, no vacancies for Friday night)
102 Glenhaven Dr, Battle Lake, MN 56515
+12188622500
Bonnie Beach Resort
20341 Bonnie Beach Road
Battle Lake, MN 56515
$175 night 3 bedrooms, (sleeps 4) with kitchen
218-864-5534
The Hideaway at Xanadu Island
35484 235th St, Battle Lake, MN 56515
+12188648096
The Otter
306 MN-78, Ottertail, MN 56571
+12183672525
Cancellation of the 2022 North American Championships: U.S. Nationals Called ON
Line up at the 2021 U.S. Nationals on Black Lake in Michigan. Photo: Catherine Firmbach
Cancellation of the 2022 North American Championships: U.S. Nationals Called ON
The IDNIYRA Governing Committee earlier announced plans to decide by November 22th the status of the 2022 North American championship. The Governing Committee has agreed that continuing changes, challenges, and uncertainties relating to the pandemic make it apparent that holding the regatta in 2022 is not in the best interest of our class members. Therefore the 2022 North American championship is canceled.
However, based upon the success of last year’s non-ranking U.S. Nationals Championship, IDNIYRA Governing Committee has decided to endeavor to hold another non-ranking American Championship in the same timeframe. Central Rear Commodore Rob Holman will soon release Notice of Race for the U.S. Nationals.
2022 U.S. NATIONALS (A non-ranking regatta)
Dates: January 23-29, 2022
Host Region: Central (Michigan and Ohio)
Location: Best ice in the Central Region or the United States
Information: idniyra.orgJody Kjoller
Commodore IDNIYRA
DN in Sailing Museum
The DN remains the world’s most popular iceboat for many reasons. It’s usually someone’s first ride, home buildable, easy to transport and set up, and pure fun to sail. The DN is also the perfect size for a permanent exhibit in the National Sailing Hall of Fame’s new museum in Newport, Rhode Island.
The DN’s natural wood hull, plank, and runners will stand out among the other five soft-water boats that will permanently hang from the former armory’s impressive wood ceiling in the interactive exhibition hall.
Home built by Doug Kolner (Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club) in Monona, Wisconsin, the boat reflects the DN’s humble beginnings at the Detroit News hobby shop in the 1930s and its evolvement into a modern racing machine. Doug built the boat using standard plans and it is most representative of the type of DN you’ll see at North American regattas. Typical of modern DN racers, the hull was built using Gougeon brothers epoxy, Harken brothers blocks, and Sarns hardware.
The DN class is honored to symbolize the spirit of American ice yachting in the new Sailing Museum.
Sweden Welcomes the 2021 – 2022 Ice Sailing Season
Our friends in Sweden appear to be the first in the world to hit the hardwater. They hunted down some impressive new ice in Skelleftea, Sweden. Thanks to Dideric van Riemsdijk for taking a moment to send the photos. 
LIVE ON ZOOM: Ask Matt Struble – 12 Nov @ 7 PM ET
Ask Matt Struble – Live Friday, 12 November at 7 PM ET/ 6 PM CT
UPDATE:
Join Mike Madge and Matt Struble US183 live on Zoom as he talks about early season DN iceboat and body preparation, followed by a question and answer session. An email has been sent to all class members with the Zoom link. Not a member? Not to worry, just use the sign up form below to receive the link. All are welcome.
Mike and Matt will be covering topics geared for the beginner to intermediate iceboater. They’d like to extend a special invitation to those new to the class or who want to participate in DN iceboating.
What To Know:
- Please make sure your device is muted before you join the meeting.
- For questions, please use the chatbox, and Mike will unmute you so that you can speak directly with Matt.
- Or you can email your questions to Mike Themadges@tbaytel.net
- Can’t make it? Mike will record the entire session so you watch it later.
- If you aren’t a DN class member or didn’t receive the email, use the sign up form below to receive the link
Matt Struble is a three-time DN world champion, a four-time DN North American champion, and holds other soft-water sailing titles. Though he currently lives in San Diego, Matt continues to sail DNs whenever he visits his family in Michigan.
Notice of Dues 2022
You are a crucial part of the number one ice sailing class in the world. Your dues support this website, the class newsletter Runner Tracks, and the class yearbook. Your dues help to maintain the value of your DN and make you eligible to vote in officer elections and class business. You must be a member of the IDNIYRA to compete at regional and continental regattas.
If you’d rather mail a check or have any questions about your membership, please contact Executive Secretary Deb Whitehorse treasurer.idniyra@gmail.com
DONATE TO THE IDNIYRA
Another way to support the class is to donate to the IDNIYRA. We keep membership dues reasonable to encourage participation. Your donation will help secure the future of the largest ice sailing fleet in the world. The IDNIYRA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Thank you for supporting the IDNIYRA.
Current Newsletter
DN VIDEOS
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