Latest Ice Optimist News
March 19, 2008
Juniors Lead the Way at GTIYC Fun Regatta
Report by Daniel Hearn
How do you not love a regatta where the trophies are bird houses? Not ordinary bird houses, mind you, but beautifully crafted and painted creations, each one unique—one , a Victorian style, another like a rustic fishing lodge and still another looking like some type of Dr. Suess structure. A fitting end to an affair called the annual “Fun Regatta.” And fun it was. This crew knows how to do it up right!
John Russell, the Commodore of the Grand Traverse Ice Yacht Club, told me, “they are a club of doers.” He said he hardly has to ask people to do anything ; it just gets done. Take for example the shelter. Somebody just decided to bring a bunch of Tyvek to wrap around the thing to create a makeshift banquet facility. It was complete with a sign that read, “The Bobstay Café.” Courtesy of Dick Wollam and others, the café was serving up some mean chili, burgers, brats, and hot dogs with all the fixings, beverages and desserts. The Café even had a wood burning stove with the flue cleverly routed through the Tyvek wall.
The outpouring of support for the Juniors was inspiring. The club seemed genuinely delighted to have the Ice Opti sailors joining their event. As it turned out, on Saturday the event was all Juniors. The overnight temperature on Friday never quite dropped enough to turn the standing water into completely solid ice. In the morning we had shell ice about a ½” thick covering a thin layer of water above the base ice. Even the DN’s were breaking through the top layer very easily. It was sailable, but with the promise of falling temperatures throughout the day, most chose to just enjoy the great party.
By about noon, the temperature had dropped a few degrees, so the Ice Optis decided to give it a go. At first the kids were a bit apprehensive, as the breeze was rather brisk (15 – 20 mph), so Sheridan ventured out and demonstrated to her pals that they had nothing to worry about. In no time 9 more of the 13 registered Ice Optis joined in and were ripping it up, much to the pleasure of all the adults watching from shore.
With everyone assembled then, two practice races were run, followed by four races that counted toward the Centrals Championship. We saw great racing all afternoon with many lead changes, lots of improvement in skills and increasing enthusiasm from all the kids with every race completed. Sheridan decided to really make things exciting for all the spectators when she had an “out of boat” experience—she she spun out while completing a jibe when she had one heck of a head of steam. So what did she do? She picked herself up, dusted herself off, and got back in the boat to complete the race. OK, I admit I’m biased because I am her Dad, but that chick rocks! The GTIYC thought so too, as they presented her with a complimentary event t-shirt for her display of commitment and courage. Special thanks to Julie Richards who was behind this little acknowledgement. By the end of the day, the kids were disappointed that we had to pack it in, but the promise of the pool party seemed to provide some consolation.
Following the pool party Saturday evening we did another chalk talk. Oh, if only our adult minds were such sponges! I was amazed at how much information was retained by the kids who attended our last talk in December.
On Sunday the ice had firmed up beautifully, so the Ice Optis took their spot in the standard rotation with the DN Gold, DN Silver and Open Fleets. The ace committee of Eric Lind and Loretta Rehe pulled off 18 races with clockwork efficiency, including 3 more for the Ice Opti Fleet to complete a 7-race regatta.
A huge thank you from the Spaight Street Syndicate (a.k.a., Sheridan, Frankie and Daniel Hearn) for a fantastic weekend. We’ll look forward to coming back next year. Thanks also to Ice Opti Centrals sponsors Doyle Boston Sails and Harken. And much appreciation to Sara and Al DeClercq and Ron Sherry who organized the Junior event.
To all...sail fast, sail safe.
March 18, 2008
Ice Opti Centrals Regatta Photos, Elk Lake in Michigan
Photo Credits: John Russell
March 12, 2008
More Ice Optis Complete!
DN’r Tom Austin of Minnesota has completed an Ice Opti for his son Lou. The two had planned on attending the Junior NA’s when they were slated for ice in Minnesota, just to check things out. When the event moved to Michigan last December, Team Austin was unable to attend, so they decided to just charge ahead and complete their boat. It’s ready for action now, just waiting for a bit more thaw in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Another DN’r, David Frost of Michigan has completed an Ice Opti for his son Cooper. Cooper got a taste of the Ice Opti at the Junior NA’s, borrowing Frankie Hearn’s boat for a race or two. He was hooked immediately. His Dad reports that Cooper sailed for four hours last weekend. Team Frost will certainly be in attendance this weekend at the Ice Opti Centrals that have been called on for the Traverse City area in tandem with the Fun Regatta.
Close to 15 Ice Optis could be racing in the Centrals this weekend!
Central Lakes Ice Opti Regatta Called On
Via Sara Declercq: As you have heard, we are holding the Central Lakes Ice Opti Regatta this weekend in Traverse City in conjunction with the GTIYC Fun Regatta. The regatta will take place on Elk Lake and Race Headquarters will be at the Holiday Inn Express in Acme, MI. Their phone number is 231-938-2600. Primary site is the Whitewater Township Park (GPS 44.8161N & 85.3848W) on Elk Lake, off Elk Lake Road NE of Traverse City. (3.15 miles North of Williamsburg to Park Rd. then 0.95 mile East on Park Road to launch) We will run a clinic on Friday if there is enough interest. Please contact me if you are planning to attend the Friday clinic. Please don’t hesitate to contact me,586-790-7500, or Ron Sherry at 586-790-5557 if you have any questions. Kindest regards, Sara
March, 2008
Ice Optis Make SAIL Magazine!
Be sure to check out the February issue of SAIL Magazine for an article about Ice Optis.
February 18, 2008
Fiberglass Opti Hull Prototype
Don Williams, of Ohio, has been hard at work for the last year supporting the development of 
the Ice Opti class by creating a mold to start making hulls out of fiberglass here in North America.
Using a similar "infusion" technology that he uses to build his DN masts, Don is shown here with the first prototype that has come out of the mold. Next step is to add structure for nose block, stern block, steering and mast step, then the deck will be affixed.
Finished hull without hardware is expected to come in at 28 - 30 lbs., slightly over the with-hardware minimum.
Don hopes to have the hulls for sale in time for the 08/09 season. If you'd like to get in on an advance order, you can contact Don at don.williams@williamsinfusion.com
December 5, 2007
Ice Optimist North American Championship Webpage
Check here for photos and updates throughout the weekend.
December 1, 2007
The Ice Opti Cometh
From OPTINEWS
By Stacie Kress Brooker
"An Ice Opti can reach speeds of 35-40 mph," says Daniel Hearn, an Ice Opti dad from Madison, Wisconsin. His two youngest children, Sheridan (13) and Frankie (10) sail them. Hearn wants to build awareness of the sport in this country and is working to start up junior Ice Opti programs in his region. He says it will help keep junior sailors sailing, especially in the colder climates where their soft water sailing season is short and winters are long." Continue reading article (pdf file).
November 27, 2007
The Sherry brothers getting their Optis ready for the inaugural North American Ice Opti Championship scheduled for December 8-9, 2007 probably on Lake Christina near Fergus Falls, MN.
November 9, 2007
Ice Optimist Drawings and Class Rules
(.pdf files):
Links to the IDNIYA European Junior Sailing Site
Part 1: Sail Plan & Rules
Part 2: Top View
Part 3: Fuselage & Plank
Part 4: Runners
Part 5: Cut Plan
All Parts In One
February 5, 2007
Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club Ice Opti sailor Sheridan Hearn is in Lithuania competing in the 2007 Ice Opti World Championships! Here's a special page for to Sheridan & Daniel Hearn's photos and reports from the regatta.