Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club

CIBC historian Bill Bunting would like us all to come to this fascinating event, linked below the appeal:

“Pressure has been applied on me to do something to help make this event a success. I have racked my brain to figure out a way to connect it to ice boating so that it might legitimately qualify for website mention.

The best I can come up with is that this collection of glass plate negatives was preserved in large part thanks to the efforts of Wayne Hamilton, supplier of much of our incidental ice boat accoutrements, and also our good friend Polly Saltonstall, sister of the legendary Dickie S., designer of Indigo, loftiest and among the fastest boat in the CIBC fleet, and wife of CIBBC member-in-good-standing John Hanson. Also, that the curator of PMM is none other than our own Capt. Ben Fuller, pilot of the venerable stern-steerer Tippy. And that author Bunting holds the club record for locating water hazards in Herring Gut.”

http://ourtownbelfast.org/event/book-launch-at-left-bank-books/

It may be more possible than you think! The Baikal Sailing Week is coming up fast and is surely one of the more unique DN regattas anywhere in the world. It will be held this spring following the European Champs.

I’ve heard amazing tales from this one, stories from both on the ice and off. The photos and videos look amazing. Lake Baikal is a fascinating body of water, even more so when you put a bunch of iceboats on it!

There has been a some interest from some New Englanders in going this year, and whether you are a seriously competitive sailor or not this event has a high adventure-factor!

Getting there is half the fun- We have to let the organizers know how many souls we may be bringing along so if you are interested give me a shout at t_thieler or 401 258 6230 and I can give the organizers an idea. More information on this on the website: www.baikaliceyachtracing.eu

We have been looking into shipping boats directly from the east coast but it looks like it may make the most sense to go with the European group. They have a routine established at this point. The shipping container leaves from Germany and gets packed up following the European Champs. My own plan is to fly over with all gear, do European Champs, ship it all to Baikal with the container, somehow get to the regatta (either stay over or fly home for awhile), do the regatta, and get my gear back over the summer. Maybe sort of complicated but hey, I’ve always wanted to see Siberia.

The guys that spearhead this thing every year want to see more Americans over there and extend a big invite- the more the merrier! So take a look at the website and let me know if you’re up for it- Clock is ticking so get after it!

Think Ice! T

James “T” Thieler
12 Channing St.
Newport, RI 02840

401 258 6230
t_thieler

Rick Bishop Needs a Last Minute Racing Crew:

Richard Bishop <rbishop15>

Sailing at Biddeford Pool this Friday and Saturday at Rhodes 18 Nationals
Our third crew just cancelled!
Any ideas for a light third for us?
Great food and guaranteed good times.

Thank you!
Rick Bishop

Bart Chapin found this on Craigs List. It’s in the Sanford area:

https://maine.craigslist.org/boa/5687526371.html

It’s always great to hear that people are looking up iceboats in July!

Meanwhile, here’s something to help keep you cool.

The small village of Lampton is nestled along the southern end of Lac St. Francois in Quebec. Careful readers of these musings will remember this lake as the venue for the first annual CIBC Hundred Mile Race last March, and the summer home of winner of that race, Denis Guertin. Apparently Lambton has a fine community spirit. This from Denis:

“A few weeks ago, I took part to a photo contest in Lambton.
Participants had to submit a picture taken in Lambton. The theme of the contest was: Showing someone doing his sport or hobby in Lambton.
So I decided to send a picture of Bill, Jim, Lee, Karin and me (behind the camera) all aligned with our iceboats, the day before the 100 miles race. And guess what? I won the first price… $100

I guess I will have to pay you all a beer some time next season.”

Don’t worry about that beer, Denis. Your hospitality during those amazing days in March was already way over the top. Here’s to pulling it off again next year!