Pat Keely just sent in this report from Jordan Bay and the site selection committee has unanimously decided to go there tomorrow instead of Dammariscotta.
Still amazing ice on Jordan Bay. 3 inches. Pressure ridges are forming and are wet. Can sail across in spots. Huge plate in the center of bay with nothing but glass.
It’s on ice like this that sailing becomes flight.
Launch at the Raymond public boat launch. Temps around freezing, SW wind 8-12.
Two boats, a kite wind and a many skaters show up to share the ice from Vannah Road. The ice seemed to be only getting better with age. A nice breeze came up and the sailors enjoyed a quick ride out of the pit and up towards the southern broads. Unfortunately a 10’ wide pressure ridge has grown running from shore to shore south of the point where you round up to head to deep cove and the great ice of the river. The boaters, unable to finding a safe crossing choose to sail the lower section until the wind softened and the boats were parked of the night. Better winds are forecast for tomorrow and more boats are expected to show.
Several of us later skated up to the pressure ridge and were able to find a small crossing on the east side, stepping over rocks and logs, we gained access to some great ice and enjoyed a good skate as the sun was getting low.
Two boats were left on the ice hoping for better conditions for tomorrow and a chance to gain access to the other side. See you then.
Sent from my iPad
About thirty boats showed up for the New England Championships. As it was Ground Hog Day weekend it was appropriate that Saturday was a repeat of a couple of days last week at the North Americans: push and glide, chat with friends, nap in the boat. There was a bit of a puff early, but getting back downwind to the pits was a challenge; certainly impossible for racing.
But today the promised breeze showed up early and the first start was at ten. There were a few pressure ridges to cross before getting to the course; one had a marked crossing which was very helpful. The course was set up smack in the middle of the lake with breathtaking views in all directions. The ice was grade 8-9 and hard in spite of the warm temps. Sharp runners ruled the day and those who sailed out from the sandy pits and didn’t change runners had all they could do to get around the bottom mark. And those fools who didn’t sharpen up after the super gritty pits of Montana were barely able to keep the boat going in a straight line.
A small fleet of cruisers sailed up from Wolfboro, and a number of skeeters went touring out of the Ellacoya launch. There were skaters, wing sailors and kiters: a regular Winni frolic in all but the name.
Race results will be posted soon on the NEIYA site. Thanks to Mike and Peter for scoring, and to our own champ T for running a terrific race.
Looks like great wind tomorrow here in Maine and there will be a post soon regarding local plans.
There will be a major convergence of iceboaters from all over the east this weekend at Lake Winnipesaukee. Rumor has it that a couple of A class stern steerers are coming. As we know, there are only two left in the East: Rocket from New Jersey and Jack Frost from the Hudson River.
The DN New England Championships will be contested over Saturday and Sunday. Skippers meeting at 10:00am, first start at 10:30. Launch at Ellacoya State Park. Be sure to leave lots of space at the ramp for others, especially the grouchy ice fishermen.
VERY slim chance there will be the Hardway on Sunday, but this is a sport of miracles.
Any way you slice it we are having a weekend long iceboaters party. Cheap rooms at http://www.firesideinngilford.com. Cocktails and dinner to follow racing on Saturday!
The wind that was supposed to die off mid morning held beautifully until well after lunch. Denis Geurtin, who leaves for the tropics on Sunday, needed to sail the last puff down before leaving. He came ghosting respectably in. As Lloyd always says, pushing back to the pits is not an option: you have to sail it back no matter what.
We managed two more trips down the river, with tight racing both directions. Not clear who won as one guy wasn’t told where the downwind mark was. Thankfully he didn’t get wet…
The ice seemed a bit rougher to some today, but the consensus was that you feel it more when sailing slowly. At yesterday’s warp speeds we were more in the air than on the ice!
Speaking of rough ice, have a look at this photo taken this afternoon of Jordan Bay from Pat Keely:
He reports 2″ plus, no zippering or cracking. Temps tonight in the mid teens should sock in close to another inch. Sadly, there’s not much wind in the forecast over the weekend, but see above to de-bunk that!
The DN New England Champs are scheduled for this weekend on Lake Winnipesaukee. See the neiya site for details. Light air racing on smooth ice is FUN!
Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club 