Western Region DNer Matt Schmidt US5536 shares some family Ice Optimist news
My youngest Robin (4 1/2) is helping get his Ice Optimist ready for the first freeze! We were given an unfinished hull a few weeks ago and scrambled to build a plank and sort out steering gear. The second clear coat is on tonight. Hoping that he, his brother Caleb (7), and sister Sarah (7) will put it to good use!
Hoping for ice in Pewaukee,
Matt
In case you didn’t know, Ice Optimists were created specifically as a youth trainer, designed to be easy to build using commonly available materials and to keep costs minimal. It uses a standard Optimist dinghy sail plan (hence the name), so youth sailors can use much of the same equipment in summer and winter if they sail/race in both seasons. Learn more about Ice Optimists and the DN Youth program from our North American Junior Sailing Program Director, Sam Bartel.srbartel4@gmail.com
Junior Sailing Page
Our new Director of Junior Sailing, Sam Bartel US1011, has created an engaging and informative slideshow tailored for potential junior ice boaters.
Don’t miss Sam Bartel’s informative presentation, whether you’re a novice, a supportive parent of an iceboater, or a seasoned veteran. Sam has already generated interest among junior sailors who are ready to try iceboating at the Western Challenge.
RESULTS Photos:Sails Up Facebook Group
Congratulations to the ice sailors, the future of our sport, who competed at the 2023 Junior World Championship in Kertuoja, Lithuania, March 5 – 7. Day one brought challenging snow-covered ice conditions and winds of 12 – 18 mph. Competitors played the wind waiting game on day two before it filled in time to complete the regatta on Tuesday, March 7. Unfortunately, another snowstorm on Wednesday ended hopes of holding the Junior European Championship.
2023 Junior Ice Optimist World Champions Top 3
1. C3 Aron Poolma, Estonia
2. C1 Emma Mia Kaar, Estonia
3. C28 Anni Kubjas, Estonia
2023 Junior DN World Champions Top 3
1. S714 Oskar Svensson, Sweden
2. C20 Rasmus Maalinn, Estonia
3. P90 Cezary Sternicki, Poland
Meet Aniela Gracyk of Poland. She’s an accomplished Ice Optimist sailor who is following in the runner tracks of her father, Robert Gracyk P31. This coming winter could be the perfect opportunity to introduce your kids to ice sailing. Ice Optimists are specifically designed for junior sailors. Buy a used one or you could easily build an Ice Optimist as a family project. Learn more about the Ice Optimist and ice sailing for kids here.
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.
