LATEST NEWS
New Western Region Commodore
Chris Berger US5166 racing at the 2019 Polish DN Championship Photo: Gwidon Libera
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Berger, US5166, as Western Region Rear Commodore, effective immediately. Chris’ contribution to the class is appreciated.
IDNIYRA Commodore Warren Nethercote KC3786
New Technical Committee Discussion Board
DN sailors waiting to have their boats measured after a race at the 2018 DN Gold Cup in Poland.
In an effort to keep IDNIYRA members more informed and educated about technical matters, Technical Committee members invite you to follow their discussions on a new internet forum established for Technical Committee members. Only Technical Committee members (along with both IDNIYRA and IDNIYRA EU Commodores) have the ability to log in and post on the TC Discussion Board. Class members and the public may view but not register to post or comment. All IDNIYRA technical matters should be addressed to the Technical Committee.
Board access is through the button in the right sidebar or find it under the “Forum” up in the top menu.
TECH COMMITTEE DISCUSSION BOARDTECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Technical Committee Chairperson: Jeff Kent US3535
Members
Tomek Zakrzewski P55
Paul Goodwin US46
Steve Orlebeke US4926
Richard Larsson S807
Peter Hamrak M53
ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES OF ICEBOAT COMPETITION (EPIC)
Article VI – TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
The DN Class Technical Committee (TC) shall consist of six members, three elected from North America and three elected from Europe. TC members shall be elected according to the respective Continental Governing Documents (CGD). One member will be elected every year, alternating between continents. North American members will be elected in even years and European members in odd years. The term of office is six years. Term of office will begin July 1, and expire June 30 of the appropriate year. Each year the TC shall elect from its membership a chairperson to serve until June 30 of the following year. All decisions of the TC require 2/3 majority vote of all members. Upon resignation prior to six years, a replacement member will be elected by the respective CGG to complete the unexpired term.
The Chairperson shall report to the CGGs on all recommendations of the TC. The TC may initiate changes in the OFFICIAL SPECIFICATIONS or OFFICIAL PLANS by proposing a change to both CGGs.
Inside Great Lakes Sailing: Ron Sherry US44 Interview
Let’s talk DN iceboating with Michigan’s Ron Sherry US44.
Ron Sherry US44 rounds the mark at the 2020 North American Championship sailed on Fort Peck Reservoir, Fort Peck, Montana. Photo: Gretchen Dorian
2020 Officers and Governance Amendments Ballot
2020 North American Championship, Ft. Peck, Montana. Photo: Gretchen Dorian
There was a 44 per cent response to the 2020 ballot on election officers and amendment of our Constitution and By-laws. It is apparent that specifications management is more important to members than governance, but we are (ice) sailors after all! All of the proposed officers were elected and the proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-laws were approved by overwhelming margins.
The Officers for 2020 are:
Warren Nethercote, KC 3786 – Commodore
Jody Kjoller, US 5435 – Vice Commodore
Deb Whitehorse, US 2366 – Secretary
Deb Whitehorse, US 2366 – Treasurer
Robert L. Cummins, US 3433 – Past CommodoreWarren Nethercote
Commodore IDNIYRA
RESULTS
Commodore – Warren Nethercote, KC 3786 PLURALITY
Yes – I approve the candidate 99 votes(99.0%)
No – I reject the candidate 1 vote(1.0%)
Yes – I approve the candidate wins with 99.0% of the vote.
100 votes tallied and 1 abstention from 101 ballots
Vice-Commodore – Jody Kjoller, US 5435 PLURALITY
Yes – I approve the candidate 98 votes(98.0%)
No – I reject the candidate 2 votes(2.0%)
Yes – I approve the candidate wins with 98.0% of the vote.
100 votes tallied and 1 abstention from 101 ballots
Secretary – Deb Whitehorse, US 2366 PLURALITY
Yes – I approve the candidate 101 votes(100.0%)
No – I reject the candidate 0 votes(0%)
Yes – I approve the candidate wins with 100.0% of the vote.
101 votes tallied and 0 abstentions from 101 ballots
Treasurer – Deb Whitehorse, US 2366 PLURALITY
Yes – I approve the candidate 100 votes(100.0%)
No – I reject the candidate 0 votes(0%)
Yes – I approve the candidate wins with 100.0% of the vote.
100 votes tallied and 1 abstention from 101 ballots
Past-Commodore – Robert L. Cummins, US 3433 PLURALITY
Yes – I approve the candidate 97 votes(97.0%)
No – I reject the candidate 2 votes(2.0%)
John Harper 1 vote(1.0%)
Yes – I approve the candidate wins with 97.0% of the vote.
100 votes tallied and 1 abstention from 101 ballots
Bylaw Amendment, “General”, Paragraph 2 PLURALITY
Yes – I approve the amendments 95 votes(100.0%)
No – I reject the amendments 0 votes(0%)
Yes – I approve the amendments wins with 100.0% of the vote.
95 votes tallied and 6 abstentions from 101 ballots
Amendment of the IDNIYRA Constitution due to EPIC Agreement PLURALITY
Yes – I approve the amendments 91 votes(98.9%)
No – I reject the amendments 1 vote(1.1%)
Yes – I approve the amendments wins with 98.9% of the vote.
92 votes tallied and 9 abstentions from 101 ballots
IDNIYRA Bylaw Amendment due to Regatta Management Agreement PLURALITY
Yes – I approve the amendments 94 votes(98.9%)
No – I reject the amendments 1 vote(1.1%)
Yes – I approve the amendments wins with 98.9% of the vote.
95 votes tallied and 6 abstentions from 101 ballots
2020 Election of Officers and Amendments to Constitution and Bylaws
2020 Election of Officers and Amendments to Constitution and Bylaws
Late on Friday May 15th, IDNIYRA members in good standing will receive invitations to participate in an electronic ballot. The ballot will be open until May 29th. Your participation is encouraged. Should you expect a ballot but not receive one by May 16th please contact Deb Whitehorse.
Our annual election of officers is presented as questions 1-5 on the ballot. Question 6 revises IDNIYRA By-law ‘General, paragraph 2,’ to align financial responsibilities for IDNIYRA regattas with current practice and strengthen financial accountability. Questions 7 and 8 revise our Constitution and By-laws to eliminate confusion and duplication between the North American governing documents and the international agreements. Areas of the Constitution and By-laws which are not covered in the EPIC Agreement or Race Management Agreement will remain in the original documents. The Governing Committee recommends support for Questions 6, 7 and 8.
The Constitution and By-law amendments proposed in Questions 7 and 8 can be pre-viewed in the most recent Runner Tracks, available at the following link:
Warren Nethercote, KC 3786
Commodore IDNIYRA
WESTERN REGION REAR COMMODORE
I regret to report Daniel Hearn’s resignation as Western region Rear Commodore. His contributions to the Governing Committee and to the DN Class will be missed, but he has served his turn at the plate and deserves a return to more focus on sailing, whether on soft water or hard.
The IDNIYRA Constitution permits the Commodore to appoint Rear Commodores in the event of vacancies after May 1st, but also provides for election of Rear Commodores by the regional membership. Prior to seeking a volunteer and making a direct appointment of the Western Region Rear Commodore, are there members in the Western Region who would be interested in the position? The IDNIYRA can, if necessary, quite easily run an electronic election on behalf of the Western Region membership.
Expressions of interest to Deb Whitehorse please, before May 16th.
Warren Nethercote
Commodore IDNIYRA
May 2020 Runner Tracks Published
Current Issue: May 2020
Thunk! Runner Tracks has landed on your virtual doorstep, 54 pages of the finest ice sailing news and photos to be found anywhere. Many thanks to all the photographers from around the world who helped to promote the sport in this issue including Arijus Dambrauskas of Lithuania, Gretchen Dorian of Michigan, USA, Sean Heavey of Montana, USA, Sophie Marc-Martin of Switzerland, and Igor Bessarab of Vladivostok, Russia.
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
- Junior DN & Ice Optimist World Championship Report & Results
- 2020 Sean R. Heavey Gold Cup Photo Gallery & Results
- By Laws & Constitution Proposals by Warren Nethercote KC376
- European Secretaries Meeting Report by Warren Nethercote KC3786
- Baikal Report by Mike Bloom US321
Get this issue in a full color soft cover book for $18. 
Runner Tracks is brought to you by these fine sponsors:
Results of DN Official Specifications Ballot
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
Progress of Current Technical Specifications Ballot
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
“Repairing a DN Ice Yacht for sailing on Lake Fenton, Michigan, USA”
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.
‘Ontario Sailor’ Magazine Features DN Ice Sailing
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.
Current Newsletter
DN VIDEOS
Minnesota Ice Sailing Association
- main lake sailed Minnetonka December 31, 2024
Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club
- John Eastman, R.I.P. April 26, 2025