Endel Vooremaa 06.05.1930 – 25.07.2022

A true icon of international ice sailing, Endel Vooremaa, passed away today in Estonia. Ron Sherry US44 shared his thoughts about the man from whom he “learned more than anyone else” about building iceboats. The North American DN community sends its deepest condolences to Endel’s son Vaiko, grandson Argo, and family.

Endel was an innovator. He had one of the earliest super bendy wooden masts and designed the crown at the hull’s bottom. He showed me how to build runner planks, telling me to follow the grain pattern to “put the tree back together.”

A day before the 2002 World Championship in Haapsalu, Estonia, my DN was damaged when it blew off the car as I unloaded it. Michał Burczyński P114 gave me Endel’s phone number, and I called him. Endel immediately recognized my voice and invited me to bring the damaged boat to his shop, where Endel repaired the deck and steering post. I went on to win the Worlds that year, which wouldn’t have been possible without Endel and his son, Vaiko’s help.

Endel was the regatta chief judge in the famous video, The Gods of Speed, about the 2003 European Championship.
The Gods of Speed Part 1
The Gods of Speed Part 2
The Gods of Speed Part 3

 

 

Endel and son, Vaiko, look over a DN. From 1984 Soviet Life.

UPDATE: 1984 Soviet Life Magazine Article 

IDNIYRA Regatta Record
1st, 1973 World Championship, Gizycko, Poland
2nd, 1977 European Championship, Krynica Morska, Poland
2nd, 1974 World Championship, Zergrze, Poland
4th, 1980 World Championship, Mälaren Lake, Vastersas Sweden
5th, 1975 World Championship, Saginaw Bay, Michigan
2nd, 1975 North American Championship, Geneva Lake, WI
1st, 1971 European Championship, Monnickendam, Holland
1st, 1972, European Championship, Gottskär, Sweden
1st, 1973, European Championship, Gizycko, Poland
2nd, 1977, European Championship, Krynica Morska, Poland

Looking Back: 1984 IDNIYRA Gold Cup in Poland

A look back 35 years ago through the lens of Henry Bossett’s camera at the 1984 DN Worlds in Krynica Morska, Poland. The IDNIYRA Yearbook entry for that year reads: “The Gold Cup was sailed at Krynica Morska, Poland. The race was extremely well organized. Hot soup was served on the ice at noon. The ice was good quality salt ice. The winds were moderate.”  T. Haagma of the USSR won the Gold Cup in 1984.
Henry writes:

With Worlds and NA’s just completed, this came up as a memory of mine today [on Facebook]. Ten, either World or European Champions show up, as well as Wim VanAcker and Skip Boston – Piotr Burczynski, Ron Sherry, Endel Vooremaa, Vaiko Voorermaa, Bogdan Kramer, Matti Kullmann, Vello Kuusk, T. Haagma, Ain Vilde, Henry Bossett.  Also a Polish business introduction of a Junior DN that never gained traction.