DN NA Class

Much has happened in the Western Region since the ice melted last spring!

Equipment:
The WR is now the proud owner of a late model ATV complete with hitch, cable winch, rack system and floats.  Also, an aluminum trailer with ramps for towing the vehicle to events, and for moving regatta equipment about the ice.  Team Madison will be responsible for managing this equipment and making arrangements to have it at all regional events. 

Graphics:
A super cool new logo has been developed for the WR.  It's already gracing a flag that will fly on the new ATV.  By the way, the ATV was purchased at an incredibly low price, and it's fully paid for.  The trailer, however, is not.  A voluntary fundraising effort is underway to offset the expense of the trailer that was purchased with private funds.  Here's the deal--donate $75 or more to the cause, and you'll receive a hat that will be sure to make you a chick magnet.  The black fleece hat (cleverly selected to go with any "outfit") features embordery of the WR logo on front, and your very own sail number on the back.  Sales were brisk at the annual Lake Geneva Swap Meet, but you can still order yours for delivery at the Western Challenge.  If you'd like one delivered to you with your sail number on it at the Challenge, email danielhearn@tds.net right away.  These hats are "Limited Edition," so don't delay. 

Juniors:
Maybe as many as five ADDITIONAL Ice Optis will be on the ice of the Madison Lakes this winter.  Among them are children of multigenerational ice sailing families, so there's great pedigree.  Further north in the state, the Green Lake Ice Yacht Club has as many as six Ice Optis under construction.  Area kids and parents are sharing in the building process, so there's great enthusiam for getting out on the ice this winter. 

The WR now also has brand new, lost cost components available for purchase to support the Junior efforts.  Beautiful Ice Opti sails (heavy fabric, cut for ice sailing) are available with bag for just $250.  Full sets of mini Ice Opti runners (steering and two sides) are also available for just $150.  These runners are short for exceptional maneuverability and thin to easily go through snow--important features in particular for newbies.  To purchase, contact danielhearn@tds.net

The Missing Link: 20 Somethings
We're making great progress filling the participation pipeline loading from the top new Ice Opti sailors.  Let's keep it up!  Also very exciting is a new link established bring in to the WR an infusion of enthusiastic 20 somethings.  A new relationship has been formed with the University of Wisconsin Sailing Team and the Hoofers Sailing Club.  The head coach of these groups has a full crew of college-age peeps who are bustin' to get out on the ice.  They know how to sail, they know how to race, they can't wait to get started.  A 6-boat DN trailer has been purchased and several entry-level DNs have been secured.  We're looking for more, so please donate anything you can to the cause.  The coach, who is a new DN'r himself, has a truck to tow the rig, so the plan is for our Frozen Facebook generation to be at all events in the Madison area, as well as the regional events, and possibly the national event.  To level the playing field, the college kids will all be racing on plates.  If you got any DN stuff you can donate, please contact daveelsmo@gmail.com.

I'd say this is a pretty good list.  What do you think?

Hello all,

I am now on the manhunt to help get our college age sailors interested in iceboating. I have a 6 boat DN trailer that I am trying to fill with 20 somethings. One person has already volunteered a boat for the cause and we are just trying to piece together more as Daniel said. Any help will be appreciated in this regard.

My connections with Hoofers and the UW Sailing team have blossomed and I have a list of at least 16 highly competitive and motivated college sailors chomping at the bit to give this a try. I'm motivated to make this happen and I'm thoroughly addicted.

See you on the ice

Dave Elsmo
US5486

The "Limited Edition" hats are going fast.  Don't miss your chance to have yours delivered at the Western Challenge with your sail number already emobroidered on the back.  See first post in this string for details.  And see pictures below to view the hat.  For an extra $20 donation, I'll even give the model's phone number.  :)

danielhearn@tds.net

As a UW sailing team alum, its great to hear the team is pumped about DN racing.  I just bought a DN at the Lake Geneva swap meet and can't wait to get out and sail.  I'm wondering if that 6 boat dn trailer is the same trailer I built about 10 years ago for Hoofers windsurfing road trip.

Also looking for boom, boom blocks and plate and/or insert runners for the boat I just bought.

Would be great if we can get 15 DN's on the line for local Madison races!

-Mike Barnett
DN 5507

Hi  Mike:
Welcome to the DN Western Region, great to have on board.  I'm a Badger, too, and was fortunate enough to be able to stay here and work after graduation.  I still live right down on the isthmus.  The 6-place trailer is one Bob and Jane Pegel had built by some business in the Lake Geneva area.  It's a really nice heavy duty all aluminum trailer specifically designed for hauling DN's. If you don't come up with runners soon, let me know.  I have a set of plates I would let you use so you don't miss any ice time with your new boat.  Where do you live now?

Daniel
danielhearn@tds.net

Dan,

I'm on the near west side, Kendall and Franklin, just south of the Qdoba on University.

Thanks for the offer on the plates!

-Mike
DN 5507

Mike:

If you need any help getting things together for the Western Challenge (Dec. 2,3,4) let me know.  Dave Elsmo (the 6-place trailer owner) is bringing his boat to my shop next week for some prep, and you'd be more than welcome.  Are you going to join us at the Western Challenge? You won't want to miss it! Here's my cell, too, so you can contact me off the board.  608-692-4007

More from Team Madison:

I plan to be on Madison ice as usual for club racing, with a back-up set of plate runners for anyone to borrow. Just sharpen 'em after each use, please. (Unless the "use" is low wear and tear;. e.g., setting up the boat, catching a few sucker puffs, calling it a day, and heading to the bar.)

Might be off at some regattas, but we'll all be in touch.

Signed, another Badger alum, who also lived on Kendall up there by the stadium back in the day!

Jori Lenon
DN US 5397

Oh, not sure I want to be a chick magnet, but I would like a hat.

Oh, Jori, come on, this is Madison...we won't judge!