Ice sailing is an incredibly fast-paced sport with very lively regatta activity in the DN class. Everyone who knows the foiling boats of the AC knows that multiple wind speeds are possible for sailors with little resistance. An ice yacht is a lot faster than an AC yacht. High mobility and manual skills are a prerequisite for being able to ride up front. Back then, we traveled half of Europe in search of suitable conditions, from the Lipno reservoir in the Czech Republic to Lake Reschen in South Tyrol, Italy.

 

In addition to the construction of two DN boats, I was primarily concerned with the construction of highly elastic masts and running boards made of wood composite materials, which had to show defined bending curves under certain loads. Apart from the mainsheet, a DN has no hauls and no cunningham, so the rig has to work “independently” in a regatta and adapt to the speed conditions. For this, the bending behavior of the mast and runner plank must harmonize optimally with the sail.

 

Ice sailing involves a lot of effort, a short race is always preceded by a few hours in the workshop. For professional reasons I was finally no longer able to devote enough time to this sport and with a heavy heart I gave it up eventually. My last, fully operational DN is still in my garage, who knows, let’s see what the future holds…