Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club

Two inches of snow over two inches of slush over thick wonderful ice.

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Our long anticipated rain last night was preceded by four inches of snow, and when that did turn to rain it was too little too late. Not even the front steps wet out. Next rain is Friday, and this time it looks like a soaker. Sunday could be the sailing day.

Stain glass artist and iceboater Tom Gloudemans made this panel celebrating the sport. It now hangs at Iceboat Central where the low afternoon sun really lights it up.

Looks like the area will get some rain on Monday. It will probably be enough to wet out the snow; the moderate cold Monday night might freeze it. Great winds for Tuesday, a bit less on Wednesday. Rest of the week touch and go with warming temps.

If you have been meaning to build or buy slush runners ever since last year at this time, time is almost up. Because there is not a big accumulation of snow on the coastal lakes there is a chance for some good surface recoveries from here on out. Slush runners will help.

In news from MIT, the iceboat team has recently received formal recognition of the team from the university administration. Thatcher Chamberlain and others have been working on this for over a year. Congratulations! As far as we know this is the only university level iceboat team in the country.

The snow held off until mid afternoon, and then it was only a dusting. The ice on Chickie was the best of the three lakes in good shape, but as it lacks touring possibilities so we set up marks and did laps. T and Karin came up from Newport, Bunting joined in as did newbie Mike James in a classic DN. We had lunch at Lloyd’s beach in the lee of the brisk northeaster.

Brian Hitchcock managed to get some good shots of the spirited racing. Apparently the red boat was hard to beat today.

Light air forecast for tomorrow, then snow Sunday night. But the ice will be there all day tomorrow, just sitting there. Waiting for runners to gently scratch its nubbles in the light and variable breeze.

A few boats will be on Chickawaukee today. Launch from the Public Beach, south end on Rt. 17. Lunch by the fire on Robert’s Beach. Meeting at 10:00.