iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

Mike Bloom launches boat. Film at 11.

Here is a link to some aerial drone video from the 2015 European DN Champs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdS_OVMcVU8

Another sign of spring: Ore boats on lake Superior.

Thanks to U.S. Coast Guard ice cutters Alder and Mackinaw, there is an open shipping lane on Lake Superior. With that, the first boat of the season, the 768 feet long John G. Munson, is expected to leave Duluth harbor today for Gary, Indiana carrying nearly 26, 000 tons of iron ore. She left her winter layup berth at Superior on Sunday, fueled, then headed over to load taconite at the CN dock. The Munson likely will make the first down bound passage at the Soo Locks, en route to Gary.

Pat Heppert raced his newly-built "Drifter" at the ISA this past weekend in Gladstone, MI and won his class. Sure there were only two boats in his class, but he completely designed and built this boat on his own and gave the B class a few worthy chases. Look for pictures of Pat and everyone else at iceboat.org. (This website is going through some changes, and the pictures may be posted at iceboat.weebly.org.)

The report is 25" of hard ice. Need we say more?

JD and McJimmy are looking to give'r hell in the big Skeeter classes. Nites get their own start in the rotation. Think of it -- you can go fly around on a huge, locked-in sheet for three days.....or you can stay home and watch the girls' high school basketball tournament on TV.

Racing starts Friday morning.

browner

Hey everyone,

Planning to sail DNs in the Ashby area this Sunday. Primary site is Battle lake. Jimmy and I are headed up to get a day in and gather some intel for a regatta next week end. If you have any information on the conditions in that area please respond here. Modis pictures look good.

US 4691

Bob Pegel's memorial service is scheduled for March 28, 2015 at Toynton’s in Walworth, WI.
10 a.m. visitation. 11 a.m. service.

Below is a slightly edited email I received from Loretta Rehe who wrote:

It is with great sadness that I notify you of the death of a great
iceboating ambassador. Bob Pegel died peacefully this morning.

Loretta

Could be a fun trip,even if you don,t get to iceboat.
http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/Will-the-ice-caves-form-a...

Reprinted from the NEIYC web site:

As we await news of Zamboni action, here is something to think about.

DO NOT BE THE FFF GUY. DO NOT be that guy!!!

What is FFF? Well it is not a racing term; it should be avoided by all. It relates to new ice, and it has three parts:

1. Do not be FIRST- Yes someone has to be first to sail the new area, but do not do it alone. Sail the
new ice with a buddy (remember never sail alone) scouting together. At least insure there is another boat ready to go, rapid transit to come help you if need be, and someone is watching you out there.

Lake MacBride has 8" of lumpy gray ice, mostly snow free. I'd give it a 5. Lots of wind predicted for the next seven days. I happened to google Lake Benton in SW MN which the maps show to be in the center of a snow free zone. In the last few days they've had snow, sheet water, two deaths and a ground blizzard.
Rolley

Here is a pretty cool video taken from a drone on the 2nd day of racing at the Gold Cup in Kingston Ontario. I was not pleased to see a drone flying around in the pits as I thought it was an unnecessary hazard, but it sure takes some cool video.
Enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxsEOoCZ_2s&x-yt-ts=1422411861&x-yt-cl=8...

Also, a local news clip about the races. Unfortunately, it is not in english, but the video may be worth watchinging
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4oo4gaHfpc

CSI plank for sale- Cedar and glass, 2 1/2" of crown, bends 1 1/2" with 190 lb of weight.

Good for a heavier sailor or take a sander to it and soften it up a bit....

Looks great, gloss black Awlgrip paint, foot pads installed, holes drilled for Struble chock studs.

$750

Contact T for details and photos

401 258 6230
t_thieler@yahoo.com

Since there is now NO snow in my front yard, my tiny brain tells me there should be good local ice somewhere?
Post what you know about local conditions. Where's da ice? Any possibility of Tonka this weekend?
Bald Eagle is reportedly still snowed out, so I'm assuming White Bear Lake is similar.
I scouted Waconia this afternoon, and found 0" - 2" of very, very hard packed snow, and pretty bumpy. It's a solid 1.0 on the official rating scale. Might be sailable with a DN, slush runners to stay on top of snow areas, and 15 MPH breeze. I wouldn't recommend it unless you know a good dentist.