We have our new weather station up and running on shorewoodyachtclub.com.
It is simular to the one on the MYC web site. The anemometer is 60 feet above Gideon's bay and has unobstructed clean air from all directions. Still working out a few bugs (like iphones)

1.5" drifts to get to it out of harrys. markham coming up. looks like good wind finally. big wind wed, see if i can break another new mast. get it in before wed nights snow. meyer

The Weather Services says we're lined up to see another Panhandle Hooker this week, she'll stay in town longer, with heavier and wetter snow. Leaving us all with one heck of a Christmas Morning Hangover...

Sailing today looks promising, there was talk of it around Minnetonka.

A good afternoon to celebrate the Solstice on the ice.

So far Lake Christina and Lake Pepin have been very sweet to us.

Right now,

Lower Lake Minnetonka is reported to be freshly frozen, ice reports should emerge,

Lake Okoboji, IA shows by web cam to be in similar condition, no reports as of yet.

Lake Pepin, South of Lake City, by Modis Imagery appears pretty clear, but Monday Sailors suggested it was drifting up a bit, no current reports in hand.

Swan Lake near Mankato, by Modis Imagery appears to be in an area free of snowfall, and appears fully frozen, no reports exist yet.

Just got the word that the main lake on Mtka is frozen as of Tuesday night, so there is NO SNOW on it. We could get a second local season on the main lake, but you just have to get past the drifts (1" - 3") out to the main lake and freshly frozen area.

Calling all ice checkers,,,,,,,,

Modis imagery is very promising for Pepin, reports to follow...

This is great Modis Imagery.

Friday before the event.

You need to click on the photo, then original to see the hi-res

Kiefer ("the IceMaker") just called and said the launch site for the GWC has been moved to the Park Street Boat Ramp (closer to downtown, near the Marina).

We will be setting up a few Nites and DNs at Shorewood Yacht Club today. Gideon's, Excelsior and Echo bays look good. Anyone is welcome to set up and sail out of SYC.

I'd like to set up a short course close to the willows, there will be a center median which is a continous obstruction, the couse is taken to port, left turn only.

The reason is to

1. Let sailors try a short course race without an outside wall to hit.

2. Capture GPS Tracks for Course Enhancement with Plowed Tracks.

3. Give the people in Lake City a thrill.

4. Set the stage for a Great Party at the Willows.

This is an epic regatta.

One not to be missed.

4695

Initial Ice calls are very encouraging:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDoQ_vXjoBg

US 4691 "spring park bay is frozen, ready to go"

Right now we have options!

More will emerge today.

We would like to have reports for Buffalo, Waconia, White Bear, Hudson, and Pepin by noon on Thursday. This is going to be a challenge so please help if you can. Post reports here or call 612 840 9855

JD

The McDonagh Brothers Annual Holiday Party is tomorrow, Thursday night.

It's also a celebration of my brother, Jonathan's 50th Birthday.

See the new Silver Fleet World Champion Cup, donated by Leon before it has to go back to Europe.

Iceboaters are invited to come by to eat, drink and discuss where we are going to be sailing this weekend.

McDonagh Brothers
2205 California Street NE
suite 101
Minneapolis, Mn