A couple of us will be meeting Denis at Lac Abenakis, Ste. Aurelie, Quebec tomorrow for a bit of scouting and what looks like a bunch of sailing. Five inches reported there this morning, with more cold tonight, and a surface much like the photo of Lac Joli in the previous post. Some flurries in the forecast, but a good SW breeze to keep the ice clear.
Come on in, the water’s hard!
Denis sends yet more mouth-watering photos while we wait. Note the skid marks!
Here’s his report:
“I found 2 lakes with just amazing ice !! And the wind was blowing at about 15 mph. As I haven’t sailed Lac Abenakis this year, and therefore not scouted it yet, I decided to sail on Lac Joli.
I sailed from 12:00 to 15:15 with just 2 stops out of the boat. I’m training for the 100 miles race !! Again on this small lake, the challenge was to turn at the end of the downwind part. See picture!!
So, the ice is an easy 9/10 on both lakes… Lac Abenakis would have to be scouted, but I’m very confident that it is safe. But I promess that I won’t sail it alone.
40% chance of about 1″ of snow tonight in Ste-Aurelie, but that mean 60% of no snow !! Let’s stay positive.”
This was taken yesterday by Doug Raymond’s daughter Brianna. Snow forecast there starting tomorrow and well into the future. Could we have sailed there today?
Forgive me if this hurts a bit, but believe me, I share your pain!
Dear old Plymouth continues to work hard for us: freezing, melting, freezing and getting blown out. Now she’s back again, all locked in.
The bit by the bridge is open as usual. The forecast for this coming week predicts a battle of the elements, ice against fire and falling frozen water. Bryan, if you’d like to go have a look it would be nice to know how thick it is. Dave Godin didn’t dare to land the plane to get a closer look! Thanks for the pix Dave.
Tuesday evening report from Denis in Quebec:
I sailed Lac Joli again today… Lac Abenakis is not good, too much snow, and signs of water and slush on the ice.
Lac Joli is 50% ice and 50% packed snow. In light air today, it was difficult to get going and keep our speed.
I sailed with 2 DN iceboaters who came from Montreal, and who did very well under those difficult conditions.
Some rain is expected late tonight, and strong winds tomorrow. It may become slush, or wet snow for tomorrow.
I’m really not sure about tomorrow’s conditions. The guys from Montreal decided to head back home tonight.
Honestly, I’m not sure I would make a long trip for this… and Thursday is light air again…
also an exciting report from Bryan Hitchcock:
Went by Plymouth today. At the launch site the ice was about 5/8 inch. The place is completely locked in, so it’s just a matter of weather roulette: will the coming rain be too warm?
The dynamic skating duo, Bob Lombardo and Carl, are skating their hearts out near Millinocket, Maine but report that none of the ice there is big enough for iceboats.
sooo, i guess we’ll just keep sharpening runners, skating at the rink…and “watching the kettle slowly come to a boil”
all the best, jory
Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club 