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.
The predicted SW wind filled in early on Lake Megunticook today, and six iceboats showed up to sail on this, the last day, we thought, before major snow. The track and timing of the storm has been shifting. But today was full sun spring sailing with the warm SW wind twisting and swirling its way through the nooks and crannies of the lake. It was intimate sailing at its best. Chasing the shifts and puffs along shore, deep in a cove, getting wound up on that nice smooth patch next to the dock or between those two rocks. Then back out to the broads where the big wind blew, usually 8-10 with gusts.
The only major hazzard was an ice fisherman firing his gun. We all checked our sails for bullet holes. A little too much second amendment in our opinion.
A quiet lunch on Fernalds Neck was more to our liking.
Depending on the track of the storm this will either be white of remain grey for most of tomorrow. By Monday it will definitely be wiped out. Saturday and Sunday are a crap shoot. Any gamblers out there?
