LATEST NEWS
Albert Goes West from Jim McDonaugh
More video from Buffalo Lake in Minnesota created by Jim McDonaugh on his iphone! Stay tuned for Western Challenge updates here.
Western Challenge Teaser
The Minnesota ice sailors are warming up the track today for next weekend’s Western Challenge on Lake Buffalo. Keep an eye on iceboating.net for all the latest updates.
Western Challenge Called On!
Via the Minnesota Ice Sailing website:
The Great Western Challenge is “ON” for December 13-15, 2019.
Primary location is Lake Buffalo in Buffalo, MN., sailing out of Sturges Park.
Check back for update on Wednesday and for hotel information.
Think ice!
Interview with DN Junior Champion Rasmus Maaliin

2019 European Championship regatta race start. Rasmus sails C20. Photo: Gwidon Libera
Estonia’s Rasmus Maaliin C20 is an up and coming ice sailor to watch! Here’s a link to a translated interview with the current DN Junior World Champion.
Rasmus Maaliin C20 of Pärnu, Estonia is the four time the junior world champion in ice sailing and wants to reach the highest pedestal rank among adults. For this year’s achievements, the young man was awarded the Order of the Estonian Yachting Club.
How and when did you get to ice sailing?
I got to ice sailing through summer sailing. As Estonia has a long and cold winter, when the water bodies are frozen, ice sailing is a logical extension for a young sailor to be able to train in winter. I started ice sailing at the age of 11, in 2011. From this year on, ice sailing has become my main area, and summer sailing is a bit overlooked. Continue reading.
Results of the EPIC Agreement Ballot
Results of the EPIC Agreement Ballot
Members of IDNIYRA in North America and Europe recently received postal ballot concerning approval of the EPIC and Regatta Management Agreements, and deletion of the current Specifications Management System (SMS), because the EPIC and Regatta management Agreements would replace the SMS. Ballots closed on Novembers 29th and on November 30th the Executive Secretaries in North America and Europe organized the counting of ballots.
One hundred and fourteen ballots were received (51 in Europe and 63 in North America), of which 112 supported adoption of the EPIC and Regatta Management Agreements and deletion of the current Specifications Management System. Consequently, the EPIC and Regatta management Agreements are now in force and will be published in the upcoming IDNIYRA Yearbook. Adoption of the EPIC and Regatta Management Agreements also means that all future ballots of IDNIYRA members will be conducted electronically.
Warren Nethercote, Commodore IDNIYRA
Attila Pataki, Commodore IDNIYRA EU
Western Challenge News: Postponed
Just announced on iceboating.net:
The 2019 Western Challenge is Postponed.
We will try again on December 13-15, 2019, at a location to be determined.
Think Ice!
2020 North American Championship Registration Office is OPEN
At Least You’ll Look Fast.
But you MUST register by DECEMBER 23rd!
CLICK TO REGISTER FOR THE 2020 NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Register by December 23rd for the North American Championship and you’re guaranteed a customized thermal vest in the size you really need. Miss the 23rd and you’ll have to choose from the extras we have left with no sail number. Since it’s a bummer to not receive your correct size, see below so you can specify when you register. Hey, here’s an idea! How about doing it right now?
VEST SIZING:
See the graphic above. Download in pdf.
Women’s sizes are available through XL. Men’s sizes are available through 3X. Finished measurements are in Inches
Chest: Full chest, measured 1″ under the arms. Body Length: Measured from center of the back neck seam straight down to back bottom hem.BODY
MEN’S
CHEST LENGTH
S 44 27-3/4
M 47 28-1/4
L 50 28-3/4
XL 53 29-1/4
2XL 56 29-3/4
3XL 60 30-1/4
(LADIES)
SIZES: S-3XL
Finished measurements are in inches.
Chest: Full chest, measured 1″ under the arms.
Body Length: Measured from center of the back neck seam straight down to back bottom hem.
CHEST BODY LENGTH
S 38 1/2 26
M 40 1/2 26 1/2
L 43 1/2 27 1/4
XL 46 1/2 28
2XL 50 1/2 28 3/4
3XL 54 1/2 29 1/4
NOTICE OF RACE: 2020 North American Championship
NOTICE OF RACE (NOR)
International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association
2020 North American Championship Regatta
January 20 – 24, 2020
The Western Region and Regatta Chairman Daniel Hearn (US 5352), on behalf of the IDNIYRA, hereby invites all DN iceboaters to the 2020 North American Championship Regatta.
RULES
● All races will be governed by the Racing Rules of the National Iceboat Authority, the Bylaws of the IDNIYRA, the Notice of Race, including any amendments to the NOR, (except as any of these are altered by the Sailing Instructions) and the Sailing Instructions.
RACE SYSTEM
● Races shall be sailed under the rules of the National Iceboat Authority and those of the IDNIYRA.
● The regatta is scheduled for 14 races per fleet with up to two throw outs.
● The number of fleets and racers per fleet will be determined after registration at the discretion of race management.
● Sailing instructions and course diagram will be available to all competitors at registration.
RACE COURSE
● All courses will be a WINDWARD / LEEWARD Inline Course with Darling Marks.
● A diagram of the race course will be posted on the Official Notice Board and a copy for each skipper will be available at registration.
● All races will be 3 Laps.
ELIGIBILITY
● All DN class yachts meeting the requirements of the DN official specifications and whose skippers meet the requirements of the bylaws of the IDNIYRA are eligible to enter and race in the Championship.
● All participants shall provide proof of $300,000 personal liability insurance prior to receiving registration packet. Advance submission is strongly preferred, via upload to the Championship website or by mail to the Secretary/Treasurer at 1200 East Broadway, Monona, WI USA 53716.
● Entries who fail to provide proof of insurance prior to or at registration WILL NOT be allowed to race.
● Competitors may be required to complete a Safety Test as part of registration.
LOCATION
● Best available ice in the Western Region with necessary amenities as close as possible. The target geography includes Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Missouri. If none is available, sites in other regions will be considered.
● Regatta headquarters and launch site(s) will be posted on the Championship website located at: idniyra.org
REGISTRATION and FEES
● Please help organizers by registering as far in advance as possible and no later than
December 31, 2019. Registrations received after this date will be assessed a $50
convenience fee. Entries received after December 23, 2019 will not receive a customized giveaway item and preferred size may not be available.
● Electronic registration via the Championship website at idniyra.org is strongly preferred. Mail-in registrations will be accepted, but they must be RECEIVED by December 31, 2019 to avoid the $50 convenience fee and be guaranteed any giveaway item.
● Standard Entry Fee: $150 (U.S. Dollars)
● Junior Entry Fee (25 and under): $75
● Novice/Returning Sailor (Have not competed in Championship in last 5 years): $50
● No entry fee will be accepted after the close of registration (refer to schedule of events). If regatta location moves prior to the first race, registration may be reopened.
● Convenience fee is waived for European competitors. These competitors are requested to notify the Secretary/Treasurer that they will be attending. secretary.idniyra@gmail.com
DATES and TIMES
● December 23, 2019: Registration deadline to guarantee customized giveaway item
● December 31, 2019: Registration deadline to avoid $50 convenience fee.
● January 15, 2020, 9:00 pm, CST: Anticipated announcement of primary site posted on Championship website
● January 19, 2020, 4:30 pm local time: Opening Ceremony
● January 19, 2020, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm local time: Registration. Location to be listed on the IDNIYRA website.
● January 20, 2020 first race at time stated in sailing instructions.
● January 20, 2020; 7:00 pm: Optional Speed Symposium Session w/food and drink
● January 21, 2020; 8:00 pm: Class Meeting
● January 24, 2018 racing is concluded with Prize Giving to follow.
Silver Lake MN
Just received this photo from the Minnesota ice sailors who have gathered on Silver Lake near the Twin Cities to kick-off the 2019-2020 DN season.
Whitefish Lake in Canada
DNer Mike Madge sailed on some epic new ice near Thunder Bay, Ontario yesterday and brought his Go Pro along for the ride. The season has begun.
Attention, Attention, Attention: Membership Alert

“Radically Participate”, become a member and vote!
Renew Membership
As Commodore Warren Nethercote wrote previously, the important postal vote regarding IDNIYRA class governing WILL happen this month. The ballots have been printed and will soon be collated, stuffed in envelopes, stamped, and mailed to North American members on November 9, 2019. There’s been a good response to our membership drive, but there are a few who have not renewed memberships for 2020. Please take a moment to renew online today so that your vote is counted.
If you have any questions about your membership, please contact Secretary Deb Whitehorse secretary@gmail.com.