In The News: “Glued Together” – The Gougeon Brothers


There’s a pattern here. Iceboating has been a source of inspiration for sailing technology innovations. The Harken brothers developed improved blocks for iceboats before expanding into the broader sailing market. Similarly, the Gougeon brothers’ groundbreaking epoxy invention was first put to the test on iceboats, revolutionizing construction techniques and paving the way for advancements in boat building across all sailing disciplines. These instances underscore the significant role that iceboating has played in shaping modern sailing technology and design. One of the best articles ever written about the brothers who invented what holds us together. Read it here.
From Soundings:

Glued Together
The Gougeon brothers didn’t invent epoxy, but they were innovative boatbuilders who created the West System of epoxy products and revolutionized coldmolded boatbuilding.
PIM VAN HEMMEN
Michigan was a hotbed for iceboating and the Gougeons were DN iceboaters. The DN iceboat had been designed for the Detroit News in the 1930s and had quickly become the most popular iceboat in the world. The little racers were fast, but also light, and the high loads they operated under made them prone to operational failures. Broken masts and cracked runner planks were not uncommon. In Meade’s eyes, the DNs were a great test bed for epoxy. Continue reading. 

Balancing Act: Navigating Tongue Weight at the Current Fast Champions Ice Boat Shop

It took half the race committee to move the trailer at the DN North Americans.

During the recent Northwest regatta and 2024 DN North American Championship on Lake Waconia in Waconia, MN, attendees who had the task of maneuvering the DN Western Region ATV trailer on the ice might have felt like they were steering the Titanic due to its hefty tongue weight. However, despite its weight, the trailer was a dream to tow and allowed me to improve my trailer-backing skills. Nevertheless, the necessity for maneuverability on the ice outweighed the benefits of towing ease, prompting a visit to the Current Fast Champions Ice Boat Shop (formerly known as the Past Champions Ice Boat Shop) for further customization and weight reduction.
CFCIBS Wrench-Turner Ken Whitehorse reports:

The tongue weight on DN Western Region trailer was 400 lbs ! That’s like throwing a 55 gal drum of water in the back of you car! Yikes! Hope you DN racers don’t need this next week! The Current Champs Shop is kinda busy swapping out old used air for new air in trailers tires this month!

Tale of the scale.

The Current Fast Champions crew found their runner-sharpening halted by an open-wheel midget racing car that had rolled into the shop.

Luckily, they were able to access the big machine.

DN World Championship Photo Gallery from Parnu, Estonia


A very quick update from Parnu, Estonia where the 2024 DN World, European, and Junior World Championship is taking place. The course a bit over 4 miles from the launch, quite a hike on this big ice. Took a few pictures on the way in yesterday of a Gold fleet race from a view rarely seen. Back with more later – it’s a whirlwind of activity at a regatta as you all know!
DNIYRA European Website for official information
IDNIYRA Europe Facebook
IDNIYRA Europe YouTube for daily reports
Gilles Morelle Images – Professional Photographer

Senior Shuffle Postponed

Chilling and grilling.

The first annual Senior Shuffle has been postponed. Light winds and 3″ of powdery snow caused the postponement of the 2024 Western Region Championship on Twin Lake at Phelps, WI.  We still plan to hold the Shuffle on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday after the Western Region Championship, whenever that may take place.

 

2024 DN Senior Shuffle Called ON for Phelps, WI

DN fleet at the 2010 Northwest on Lake Winnebago. Photo: Gretchen Dorian

SENIOR SHUFFLE CHAMPIONSHIP
REGISTER: Click here to register for the regatta.

DATES: January 8 – 10, 2024
LOCATION: North Twin Lake, Phelps Wisconsin
Launch:
North Twin Lakes Landing Road, Phelps, WI. Roll trailers on please.

LODGING:
Best Western Derby Inn
US-45, Eagle River, WI 54521
+17154791600

Days Inn by Wyndham
844 N Railroad St North, Eagle River, WI 54521
+17154777025

Coady’s Point of View Resort
3932 Point of View Trail, Phelps, WI 54554
+17152044111
https://povresort.com/

SCHEDULE:

  • Saturday: 5 PM CT online registration closes.
  • Monday: 9:00 AM CT Skippers Meeting. 10:00 CT First start. Senior Fleet will start first (if multiple fleets).
  • Tuesday: 10:00 CT First start.
  • Wednesday: 10:00 CT First start. Races can start as late as 1 PM or at the discretion of the Race Committee.

NOTICE OF RACE
SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Regatta Watch: 2024 DN Senior Shuffle Called ON

The 2024 Senior Shuffle

REGISTER FOR THE SHUFFLE

Dates: January 8 – 10,  2024, after the DN Western Region Championship
Location: Two locations under consideration for the DN Western Region Championship: Lake Osakis in Minnesota or Vilas County in Wisconsin. Final confirmation of location by 5 PM CT Thursday, January 4, 2024.
NOTICE OF RACE
SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Get ready for North America’s take on the European DN Grand Masters Regatta.
It’s the first, maybe annual, no-running regatta for the “more seasoned” DN sailors. It will take place the three days following the Western Regional Championships, on the same ice.

DATES

  • January 8 – 10, 2024, the three days after the DN Western Region Championship, which is scheduled for January 6 – 7.

WHO’S INVITED?

  • Open to Seniors (50-59), Masters (60-69) and Grand Masters (70+) who will race under Shuffle Rules with one start.
  • Open to “aspiring” Seniors (49 or younger) who will also race under Shuffle Rules with a separate start.

WHAT ARE THE SHUFFLE RULES?

  • No running. Not at the start. Not during a race. No track stars allowed in a Shuffle race!
  • Starting positions will be determined, in advance, by random draw for every race. No one is advantaged or disadvantaged with a starting position based on their previous race performance. It’s all luck of the draw.
  • Racers must start with one foot on their plank, and are limited to five kicks.
  • Racers must stay in their boats unless they come to a complete stop during a race. In that event, a racer will have one additional 5-kick opportunity to complete a race. A second stop is an automatic DNF.
  • No more than 4 races which count on any one day. Scrub racing may continue after official races for any who are interested.
    Maybe we’ll award prizes…maybe we won’t. But what we do know, is that this is all about fun and camaraderie.
  • Oh, yeah. And that means no protests. We’re going to race like a Wisconsin intersection. “You go. No, you go. Ohhhh, please, I insist der my friend. Oh, cripes, tanks, der good buddy!”

OTHER DETAILS

  • $50 registration fee to cover prizes and extras
  • All registration will be online. If you’re tech-challenged, ask a youngster for help.
  • Because we’re so green, race documents will only be published online.

EVENT CONTACTS