iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

We have sailed 4 of the last 5 days on Elk Lake north of Traverse City MI. The first couple days the Ice was absolutely clear smooth ice so even with light winds we sailed for hours. We now have snow cover, but can sail with 10mph wind. With winds at 10-12 today we got alot of sailing in. Yesterday with winds around 12-13mph we sailed fast all day. The conditions in front of white birch are not as good as the north end of the lake being as they were in the lee shore when we had the 30 mph winds that cleared the snow storm we had. We got an additional couple inches today, but it is light fluffy snw, like I said we sailed with only 10-12 mph winds.

Quantum Inland has a demo DN Speed Mainsail available that was used at the Western Challenge and the World Championships. The sail is race ready and only has three days of use. The sail is priced at a 30% discount from the standard retail of 700 with battens. This is a great savings. Contact Jim Gluek @ 262-646-7610 if you are interested in a great used DN Speed sail.

Lots of cool photos from Friday's Gold-Cup Racing:
http://iceboat.org/images/04-05/westernchallenge/westernchallenge.htm

Cheers,

Geoff Sobering
US-5156

Just received notice from the ice that Ron Sherry US 44 won the Gold Cup. No other details available at this time unfortunately.

Kevin Sherry

We are back online!

Sorry about yesterday, but it was snowing and we were late getting to the launch site. If I had setup the cam all any body would have been able to see is a snow covered car window.

Racing is scheduled to start at 9:30am

Yestereday we got the qualifiers out of the way, so today the gold fleet will start.

The race course is to the left of the picture, or around the point, across the lake.

Looks like a snow runner/plate day.

3min updates
http://iceboating.net/live/index.html

as for results, we haven't raced a gold fleet., and only one silver/bronze.

I'm not sure about the bronze fleet, and as for the silver...

The official announcement was just made: the new venue is Warner Park Beach on the NE side of lake Mendota in Madison. Check the hotline and website for more information.

Cheers,

Geoff Sobering
US-5156

Just spoke with Will and Jimmy the location of the Gold Cup is going to be moved because of deep snow drifts. The drifts are deep enough to stop an ice boat in its tracks several boats flipped over at speed this moring when hitting snow drifts.

Possible new venues: Madision or Lake Pepin (SteveK is checking out Pepin)

Andy

Lake Winnebago, WI
28deg F
15-25mph winds

pretty good sized snow drifts..

we are back online

http://iceboating.net/live/index.html

looks like the race committe isn't setting up a course.. yet..

Will and Jimmy are going to walk around the pit area with the live web cam and take shots of all the cool boats. Keep refreshing your browser to see the photos.
Andy

Racing has been postponed until Noon.

The race committe reported sustained 25mph out on the ice. It's a little to fast for the condition of the ice, it's pretty bumpy.. so they say.. I still haven't been out..

us45 went out for a ride and gave us a little show... up.. up.. and over...
he's okay...

Quite a number of the fleet are heading out for a little rip anyway.

more to follow..

http://iceboating.net/live/index.html

how's the cam working?

Here is the link to live web cam which I left out before.

http://iceboating.net/live/index.html

Racing today (per Jimmy and Will):
One Bronze fleet race this morning top 12 move up to Silver fleet. One Silver fleet race top 12 move up to Gold fleet. Gold fleet racing after that.
I will post more when I hear something from the regatta.

Andy

I just spoke to Jimmy (U5214) and Will and they are setting up the web cam as I am typing this message.

Check out the live shots of the Gold Cup!!!!!

Go Jimmy and Will Dog!!!!!!!!!!

Andy

I am visiting the Twin Cities area this Thursday - Sunday and am wondering if there is anywhere / anyone who teaches Ice Boating. I am a very experienced sailor and windsurfer, if that matters at all. Would love to try out your sport! Please email me at tomvhall@hotmail.com or call my cell 206-396-2731 if you have any ideas for me.

Thanks, and sail fast.
Tom Hall
Seattle, WA

Great Ice! Like glass and thick.