Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club

Just a heads up that the Jefferson General Store is open and can be sailed to, with a short walk. Food is excellent.

The ice has maintained its seven+ inches through this last blast of weather. Today there are puddles about an inch deep all over the lake.

The surface is soft today in the forty-five degree temps but will probably firm up tonight as temps dip below freezing. How much of the water will drain/evaporate is anyone’s guess. The only pressure ridge observed runs from Wavus Point south to the next point. Same as always. The one from Wavus Point crossing the lake could not be seen.

There’s a dry west wind coming later today which will help a lot.

The launch at Lake Farm is in good shape, clear and tight to the shore. Maybe trailers can go on the ice, we’ll see in the morning. Which brings us to the big question: are we sailing? Good breeze for tomorrow would say yes. Will we need slush runners? Maybe.

Prognosis shows good potential for Sunday and Monday, better winds Monday. Monday might be Regatta day…

The ice will fly away quick this year if we don’t get some serious cold in the next two weeks. Come get it while you can!

No, not that kind of patient, it’s the one that stands around on the ice for most of the day waiting for wind. And when you add a dollop of faith to that patient sailor that the two inches of snow won’t be an issue, you get a real iceboater.

Those are the track shoes of Jeff Roseberry who, along with Dave Fortier, hit the jackpot on Thompson Lake today.

If you could design the perfect day for speed runs it might look something like this: perfectly smooth and slippery surface, something with a fine film of lubricating water, a big well scouted plate, wind blowing across the lake for optimal reaching, and not too cold so you could keep at it all day long. Maybe we even get a little greedy and ask for partly cloudy conditions so your eyes don’t get tired. And just one last thing: not too crowded with skaters and other boats. Just a buddy to match race and a mark at each end.

That’s just what the guys finally got today, starting around 1:00, earning multiple mile a minute awards.

This plate is one of the highest quality we know of right now. 5.5” of black ice. It will survive when all the snow ice on Piushaw and Dammy slushes out. Even Moosehead is looking dubious. There isn’t the thick black ice base that allows us those magical spring flings. If nothing else, be sure your slush runners are clean and polished.

BRAVO BOYS!

Jeff and Dave chased puffs around the lake today. The surface and become smoother after yesterday’s slight melt. No softening today. We had the ramp plowed:

That’s the good news. Bad news is light snow forecast for tonight. Might be about an inch. Good news is that the wind might blow it clear tomorrow, but it won’t start blowing until late morning. Also, it’s called to be a west wind, blowing across the lake. Good for reaching back and forth, but not ideal for setting marks and racing. That was the tentative plan. But even with an inch of snow this will be fun sailing.

There are two significant features to consider between the pits and the plate. Ask those already there for guidance.

A fine day of sailing on a plate about two miles by one, five and a half inches thick, clear as glass. Got a little wet as temps climbed into the high thirties, but no one was complaining. Winds ten-twelve with wonderful gusts, right down the center. There were two Whizz, two DN’s and two Mini Skeeters. Match racing all around.

Black Ice to the horizon.

Ghosting along in light air before the wind came up.

Tyler’s first sail of the year. The image from the scouting party was just too much too bear.

Speaking of which, huge thanks to Eddie Zelonish and his group of skaters for scouting this plate on Saturday. Remember Saturday? -20 degrees with plus 20 winds? Just an amazing accomplishment.

With smiles no less! Such is the intoxication of Black Ice.

The wind held until dark, two DN’s duking it out ’til dusk.