Where The Boats Are
Hello All- Last night here for Team USA…. Pizza dinner at Torsten Seims’ house, early to bed, then an early drive to Frankfurt and hope to hell that al the gear gets on the plane and home in one piece!
People often ask where we keep boats over here- The photo provides the answer- It is a barn in Bad Zwischenhahn that belongs to Joerg Bohn’s father- Several people have boats and gear on the racks there, just waiting for action….. As an added bonus his mother serves us homemade pea soup (made with homegrown ingredients from her garden) when you drop boats off! The generosity of this family goes across a few generations!
Looking forward to getting home and sailing in New England again!
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Packin’ Up….
Hello All- We “rolled right through the night” to paraphrase the Little Feat song…. Estonia, Latvia (cool stop for lunch in Riga), Lithuania, Poland, and Germany in only 24 hrs on the road.
Now cleaning up cars, trailers and boats back at Torsten Siems’ place in Bad Zwischenhahn….
Photo is Oliver’s runner box- As you can see by the rags he is into maintinance- As you can see by the fact that there is more than one you can see that he has yet to learn the virtue of using one rag over and over.
Some people…..
Hope all well back home- Bummed we are missing races there but psyched y’all are still sailing!
T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Moving Out!
World and European Champs in the books! Three fleets, seven races in each fleet, Not bad!!
Great day yesterday- Sunny, warm, fast ice, big breeze, freaking perfect sailing day!
Karol Jablonski took this one too, Ron Sherry was top US finisher in third, and the rest of the results are online somewhere-
The Polish race committee did a great job, we will do our best to meet their standard down the road- Haapsalu was a great venue, hope to get back here sometime-
Now begins the journey home- driving to Joerg Boehn’s house in Bad Zwischenhahn, Germany via half a dozen countries….
Stay tuned! T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Competition returns to New England
The Don Doc Fellows Regatta will be held this Saturday 3/8/14 as approved by the NEIYA Commodore.
T, Oliver and Eben are just finishing up the European championships but insisted that the DDF must go on.
Launching from Nason’s beach on the west side of Sebago Lake, Sebago Maine. First Race 10:30.
The Maine State Championship will be held Sunday 3/9/14 at same time and location.
Cone one or come both days lots of ice and I know more than a few people that don’t usually race will be on the line. All DNs are welcome to compete.
John Stanton
NEIYA secretary
DN5023
European Champs, day 1
Hello from Estonia- Another good day of sailing here in Haapsalu- Light to medium breeze, clean ice, sort of warm out, and a beam reach back to the pits at the end of the day- Can’t ask for more than that!
Three races for the Gold Fleet, Karol Jablonski still going fast and the rest of the top ten a mixed bag of nationalities…. Results on line somewhere…. Team USA hanging tough! Look no further Euros Day One results Your editor.
Race committee hoping to finish this off tomorrow- Big breeze in forecast, big courses (2km legs) are being discussed- Which is why I’m logging off and going to bed!
Stay tuned…. T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
World Champs Done!
Just wrapped up the awards banquet that capped off seven good races-
All in all a good regatta- The Europeans put on quite a show, on and off the ice- Especially the Poles- Karol Janlonski led a strong team to take first- Well done- he was able to skip the final race.
Full results are online somewhere, try google or bing- I’m too tired to look them up! Our gritty little US contingent fought hard all day and showed improvement- Racing with a fleet this big and deep is a whole different ball game! Seems like we all found a gear during the final few races- All psyched for European champs which start tomorrow! Editor’s note: provisional results HERE
Enjoy the pics from the banquet- One is our host Joerg and the mayor of Haapsalu, next is a bunch of award winners, and the last is our tired but psyched bunch of Yanks- Except for Hal and Mercedes, that is- They live in NC!
Stay tuned….
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James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Choices…
It’s nice to have multiple choices to sail once again. Not some kind of standardized test but loads of fun from NY to Maine.
Chickawaukie Pond was back in style and details and a big ice update are on the CIBC site.
Moving further south, an often overlooked plate, Lake Attitash in Merrimac, MA (just off I495) was sailed by local Paul Delnero and others who reported good conditions. Paul would like to extend an invitation to come up and sail anytime conditions allow. Paul may even send in some pictures next time.
Long Pond in Lakeville, MA was buzzing with a number of groups and classes sailing about. Most of the lake was sailable and should remain in good shape the rest of and going into the weekend. Ice is fluid and conditions WILL CHANGE. We await EOW reporting.
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| Jeff Soderholm Long Pond Lakville, MA 3-1-14 Click image for full album |
NEIYA race honed Rich Cruchet unleashed his talents locally and took the Long Island Championship held on Lake Ronkonkama this weekend. Congratulations Rich!
Over the past week, all forms of media, ice boat media, social and traditional, have been abuzz over the returning of ice and the Jack Frost after 11 years to the Hudson. This was soon followed up by word that that the North Shrewsbury Yacht Club’s Ice boat Rocket would sail for the first time since her restoration. The historic stage was set for a true Stern Steerer Palooza.
Seeing Jack Frost and Rocket gliding across the nearly shore-to-shore ice was a spectacular sight. Had it not been for the channel being cut by an ice breaker and kept open by barge traffic, we could have sailed right to the western shore of the Hudson. Let’s hope we do not have to wait another 11 years to see the grand Ice Yachts of the Hudson again.
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| Hudson River Stern Steer Palooza for full album click image |
The wind was out of the south so there was no racing the trail like the fabled pictures we have all seen but it was a wonderful and historic day.
Myself and former secretary Ed Atkeson were onsite and we had a great day.
Here is a link to yesterday’s New York Times Article recapping the event: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/03/nyregion/reviving-a-rivalry-after-years-on-ice.html
Some are lucky to be able sail during the week without feigning sickness. For those that are not, here is a video shot on Long Pond taken by Bill Converse a few weeks ago to keep you going till your next sail.
There is big ice on Sebego off Nason’s Beach, Sebgo, ME. and it is likely there will be a great ice convergence there starting Friday. More on that as details emerge courtesy of the CIBC.
DN world updates are being fed in from the IDNIYRA.eu site on the top right. Check back tomorrow for Wednesday’s results. Go T, Oliver and Eben…
Sail fast and sail safe,
John Stanton
NEIYA Secretary
Tough day for USA
Day one, three races, not a good day for Team USA…. What can we say, these folks are good!
All double digit finished except for one good one from Ron Sherry…. But a bad day iceboatig is better than a good day at work!
Picked a few brains, made a few adjustments, did a little recon and tried a few things after racing was done for the day- Will be trying a different set-up tomorrow- Stay tuned!
T
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Estonian Fog
Racing called off today due to continued fog-
We made the best of it and took a walk downtown- Quiet and clean, has a real old-town feel. And it should, there’s been a town here since the 1200’s at least….
Snapped a few photos- First is the boats ready for action, next is Eben and Oliver next to the trailer- Note decaying, burned out buildings in background- Way out of character compared to the rest of town! Then another shot of derelict buildings with high tide debris in foreground- note abandoned watchtower in background…..
One nor the sights here is the remains of an old castle in the middle of town- Also from the 1200’s, with a looooong history…. The moat is now empty and has a playground set up for kids so of course Oliver had to take a spin on the little carousel! Eben and I are too mature and grown up for that sort of silliness so we played on the fake Viking ship.
Last photo is partner the castle. Pretty cool! Rounded out the tour w a little coffee and then dinner.
Better forecast for tomorrow- Fingers crossed!
Stay tuned…. T
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- Giddy up!
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Latest From Estonia
No racing today- Serious fog issues- The meteorological kind, not the kind a sailor can experience after a big night out- although some may have been dealing with that as well-
How foggy? Lots of head-scratching on the way in- At least one boat parked on a random beach in front of some guy’s house- No injuries or mishaps but enough waiting to make us nervous.
Last night was the opening ceremony- All good, did I right at the hotel- Flags projected on the walls. Very cool! Oliver was out flag bearer- You can see in the photos that he remembered to remove his hat but of course forgot to se t the beer down.
Estonia is awesome! Nice hotel, nice people, nice town (goes back to 1200’s) and food and rooms are cheap!
That it for now- Your authors eyes are not staying open….
Stay tuned ! T
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James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Estonia or bust!
Hello All- It’s been a blur….. All gear arrived in Frankfurt, drive to Joerg Bohn’s house in Bad Zwischenahn was trouble free, and then we had two delightful days messing with boats in Torsten Siems’ shop nearby-
This shop is a converted warehouse and it is SWEET. Flat floor, warm, high ceiling so you can step the mast on your DN w room to spare, every tool and workbench you can ever need, and of course it’s neat and clean and organized- Joerg and Torsten are amazing hosts- I can’t express how well they’ve taken care of us here-
Anyway the last few days have been a rush- The race was moved to Estonia so the travel plans were modified- Drive north, ferry to Denmark, cross Denmark, ferry to Sweden, north (rapidly!) to Stockholm, overnight ferry to Tallinn (where I’m sitting now) and then about two hrs on the road to Haapsalu and race site. Cool!!
Check the pics- First is Eben modifying his chocks at the shop, second is lunch- better than Mcdonalds! Hal Bowman in foreground, European commodore and host extraordinaire Joerg Bohn in the back- Third is Joerg and Torsten standing in front- Not forklift-operated plank bender in background- Now THAT is the way to align runners! I told you this shop has everything…
Fourth pic is two homeless waifs we picked up in Bad Zwischenahn. The girl seems nice but the guy is a bit sketchy….
Last photo is Joerg’s decade-old cell phone. This is a rare view of it as it is NOT in use- You can’t imagine the hours he spends on this phone organizing this regatta- Sites, accommodations, weather, national holidays is several different countries , ferry schedules, different languages, american guests, It all has to be taken into account. I don’t know how the hell he does it ! Many thanks Joerg!
That’s it for now- Stay tuned!
T
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James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Ice for March 1st & 2nd
Things are looking a lot better than the past two weeks. The snow has melted down and refrozen leaving a variety of surfaces.
Here is what we know at this point.
Herring Pond Plymouth, MA
Sailed all week as reported on the hotline (508) 377-6100. Always check with locals for know and developing hazards.
Chickawaukie Pond Rockland, ME
Tried and true year after year the snow has melted down enough to be sailed again throughout the week. There are rumors of campfire cooked baked beans and corn bread. Check The Chickawaukie Ice Boat club for details http://iceboat.me
Lake Ronkonkoma, Ronkonkoma, NY
No Suffolk county did not secede from NY and join CT but the Long Island guys sail with us and always welcome ice travelers. It was sailed all week and the Long Island Championships will be held this weekend Check their website for details. http://www.iceboatlongisland.com/ The race chairman has requested that participants fill out the entry form and bring to the ice. Form here
Hudson River Barrytown, NY
The Hudson River Ice Yacht Club has put the mighty Jack Frost on the ice and she will be accompanied by the Rocket hailing from the North Shrewsbury Ice Boat and Yacht Club as well as many other period and newer classic. This has been described as being an epic and historic event and looks like it will not disapoint. If you have not seen the Jack Frost sail it is an unforgettable site. Here is your chance to see two last of a breed crafts sail along with a full accompaniment of stern steerers. For details http://hriyc.org/current.html
Long Pond in Lakeville Freetown MA
Caution Caution Caution! Has not been sailed but will be scouted tomorrow by a group of people. More info when scouts report back
Lake Champlain Shelburne VT
Possible grand ice but no promises whatsoever and may be best to go after the reports are in.
Some people will be scouting tomorrow Again this ice has not been scouted so please only venture out with people that know the area. This could be our our best opportunity for BIG ice. Another dark cloud is on the horizon, but who knows.
See you on the ice,
John Stanton
NEIYA Secretary
A Look Back…
Safe travels, fair winds and speed to T, Eben and Oliver representing the NEIYA at the DN Worlds. As of this morning the location has not been selected. For updates check IDNIYRA Europe and I will call out any major updates on the right side of the home page as well.
People have ventured onto Cape ice as well as mid coast Maine and out on Long Island. Check the Hotline and the CIBC for details. Not the best but it is what we have. While we wait to venture out onto this or some soon to be discovered black ice of Shangri-La, let’s take a look backwards.
Thanks to Dave Wilkins for sending the vintage photos with retouching by Bill Converse. They are thought to be taken on Damariscota circa 1930-40. Can anyone from Maine authenticate? They may have been originally done on glass plates. Any photo historians out there? 
I know there are some architects and engineers amongst us who might disagree but these boats look to be at least inspired by the flying buttresses of Notre Dame or other grand old cathedrals.
Check out the sloop rigged boats with forward steering. A forerunner to the modern Skeeter, perhaps? Thoughts from old and newer sailors leave a comment below.
There are a literal who’s who of rigs lined up all in one place. Lateen, Gaff, sloops any others?
Lloyd Roberts is promoting his lateen rigged cheapskate and I understand plans will be published soon. Could we one day see a wonderful assortment of rigs on the ice once again?
Below is one upcoming event and some far from exhaustive additional info feel free to add your favorite historical ice yacht links in the comments.
Historical background Ice Yacht Presentation
Saturday March 1st 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Monmouth Boat Club, Red Bank, NJ
http://navesinkmaritime.org/Events?eventId=847203&EventViewMode=EventDetails
Monmouth Museum Maine ice boat article
The Hudson River Ice Yacht Club trustees of the Jack Frost and other vintage stern steerers http://www.hriyc.org/
Remembering the legacy of our past,
John Stanton
NEIYA Secretary
The Pile….
In “Think Ice!” Lloyd Roberts and Warner St. Clair spoke of “the yeast effect.” This refers to the tendency of the pile if neatly packed gear in a van or a trailer to rise and grow as a trip goes on and chaos takes over…. Judging by the photo we may just have that going on already! That’s Eastern Region commodore Eben Whitcomb barely visible behind the pile….
Speaking of “Think Ice” rumor has it that the book is back in print- See the CIBC site for details- If you don’t own this book, GET IT. If you already have a copy, GET ANOTHER.
Back to the trip- Flight was smooth as butter and no gear lost or damaged in transit- Thank you Lufthansa baggage technicians! Meeting with our German hosts tonight and the fun begins….
Stay tuned- T. DN US 5224
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
DN gear at Logan….
….this can only mean that some NEIYA folks are heading across the ocean for the Gold Cup and European champs-
Eben Whitcomb and T. Thieler will be meeting Oliver Moore over there to travel and race….
Will be interesting for sure!
What a feeling to watch all of your precious DN gear disappear down the luggage belt….
Stay tuned!
James “T” Thieler12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler
Melt, freeze and see…
As everyone knows we have been in a melt and watch, thaw and freeze phase.
While we wait, browse through the big batch of pictures taken at the DN North Americans by Joanne Kennedy. Hailing from Northern Alberta at one point the frigid cold did not discourage her from snapping some great pictures.
Her full outdoor body of work can be viewed at http://www.joannekennedy.net. If you like something let her know.
The white stuff is melting so it wont be long. Till than sailing pictures will have to do.
The full album (340 pictures) is available for your viewing pleasure here or click image. As well as a few I pulled out below.
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| 2014 DN North American’s Plattsburgh, NY Photos by Joanne KennedyJoanneKennedy.net |
Score card for NEIYA member pictures. I think I found them all but check the album to be sure.
US5469 – Oliver Moore
US4487 – Chad Atkins
US5224 – James “T” Thieler
US5193 – Eric Anderson
US4512 – Stephen Madden
US5022 – Ed Adams
US5492 – Dave Buckley
US4775 – Eben Whitcomb
US500 – Richard Crucet
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Looking forward to when we sail again this season,
John Stanton
NEIYA Secretary
Short window…
Jeff Soderholm sent over some pictures from yesterday on Long Pond in Lakevile MA. They didn’t get much sailing in but i’m sure all can attest that it was better than not going.
Jeff thanks for the onsite reporting. This may be the only sailing in all of New England. Your making many of us jealous.
“We had a narrow window to sail between waiting for the wind and the arrival of the snow. Once the snow started we had to vacate quickly due to the poor visibility and hazards caused by the recent rain.”
John Stanton
NEIYA Secretary
White out
We had some sailing today in lakeville but it is absolutely dumping the four lettered “s” word right now. So it looks like we are the other four letter “s” word out of luck to get a regatta in tomorrow. Try again next week. There is plenty of ice out there we just need some love from the weather for some late season magic.
Till next time.
Oliver Moore
Rigging up
Steve and I have done a quick walk on long pond in lakeville ma. The ice looks surprisingly good. Could even be very good. Still haven’t scouted fully for hazards but the next 8 hours may be our only shot at sailing for the foreseeable future.
No official regatta but we should have some scratch racing.
We will see what this snow does for racing tomorrow.
If you can make it come on down.
Launch is at the south east end at the boat ramp.
Again remember that this is unchecked ice so exercise extreme caution.
Oliver Moore
Really?
So here we are.
Thursdays weather has dumped a foot of snow on everything north of Boston and wet out everything south of the Mass Pike. But we have more snow coming.
I walked Snipatuit pond in Rochester today and if it firms up tonight there is a chance it will be sailable tomorrow, but I am not confident enough in it to call a race on there. We are going to take another look at it tomorrow and scout it if safe. If it is doable and somehow the weather guys have it wrong and it survives to Sunday we will race the Doc Fellows. Those are some major "ifs". I will post again Saturday afternoon with another update.
There are other potentially sailable spots in Costal Mass and any and all information is helpful so please send in you reports.
Please remember and be aware that the current conditions are a recipe for extremely dangerous ice. Make sure to use extreme caution this weekend and please stay safe.
Oliver Moore
USA 5469
NEIYA Race Chair
Resolutely seeking…
As Race Chairman Oliver said yesterday “We don’t know where. We don’t know when…” We may not know about this weekend but do know that there will be sailing again real soon.
The only thing I know for sure is that four sailors found there way to the ice on Ashumet Pond in Falmouth, MA yesterday (2/12). As relayed by Bill Converse. The breeze was light. The ice was rough with some snow cover. The breeze came in toward the end of the day helping to power through the mess.
Brian Langley, Steve Madden and Jack Ericson on Ashumet Pond
Brian, Steve, Jack with Bill Converse behind the lens on Ashumet Pond
Recent snows bypassed the Cape and may be our next destination. We all want more ice time. Whether for thrills or pre Gold Cup (Poland) preparations, there is never enough ice time.
Ice scouting and checking is a thankless job and without it there would be no sailing for anyone. More on the scouting process from Eric Anderson in a couple days. Help out and report conditions to the hotline (508)377-6100 and press 1.
Stay resolute. Be vigilant. Let’s find some ice for everyone to enjoy.
Sail fast, sail safe
John Stanton
NEIYA Secretary
Sailing this weekend
We don’t know where.We don’t know when.
We don’t know what regatta.
Heck we don’t know much.
We do know that there is some weather coming through the area Thursday.
I could be snow.
It could be rain.
We don’t know.
Are you sensing a theme?
Scouts have been out this week sailing ice from Fall River all the way out to Nantucket. We know what ice we have now but we don’t know what we will have for the weekend.
We are going to try to pull something off this weekend, if it happens it will be short notice so stay posted here.
Its late in the season and we are getting desperate.
Maybe we will get lucky.
Hopefully we wont have to stay up all night to get lucky.
Oliver Moore
USA 5469
NEIYA Regatta chair
Ninigret’s Not to be Forgotten
Apologizes for the omission from the earlier post. Thanks to Kate Marrone for sending a reminder and pictures.
Included in this weekend’s sailing venues is Ninigret Pond, Charleston, RI. Ninigret is about as close to the ocean (well technically Block Island Sound) as one can get. It is a beautiful salt water pond with open water just over the dunes to the south.
 Art Menard, Kate Morrone, Bob S, Paul Zucco and VC Dave Buckley |
 Dave Burnham |
If I have missed anything else or anyone has pictures of video send em in (john@neiya.org)
Im watching the beautiful ice on the short track rink in Sochi and wondering if only…
John Stanton
NEIYA Secretary
Hide and Seek…
Where is the ice hiding? Plenty of it lies beneath white fluffy and crusty cruddy stuff but where is the sailable ice?
With the one two punch earlier in the week, this was not going to be an easy weekend to find ice. It turned into a real game of icy hide and seek. Looking at the storm’s impact the only possibilities were near the ocean.
Winners of this week’s ice and seek…
Dave Wilcox, Brian Langely, Doug Sharp, Henry Capotosto and Bill Converse sailed Ashumet Pond in Mashpee, MA Saturday. Wind was light in the morning, but picked up later. Ice was snow ice, not smooth, but very sailable. We sailed until 3:30 PM. All in all a good time was had by all.
Photo credits Bill Converse
Also on the cape, Seymour Pond was sailed by another group of usual suspects. Conditions were a little rough but sailable.
Photo credit Jeff Soderholm
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And west and more south, 84 miles as the crow flys, good ice could be had on Lake Ronkonkoma in Long Island NY. I got the word from Rich Crucet late Saturday night that they had decent ice grade 7-8 at home. Being just over an hour, I loaded up and set out on Sunday.
Ice was as promised though the wind was lacking till late in the day. Thanks to the Ronkonkoma Ice Boat and Yacht Club for their hospitality. Finest “blow torch dogs” and soup on any plate of ice on the island.
Looking like conditions improved even more down in NJ with the NSIBYC enjoying home ice on the Navisink river. Photos by Jeff Smith
Thanks to Jeff Soderholm and Bill Converse for contributing to this weekends update as well as those calling in and emailing scouting reports. Change is in the forecast, and the more we communicate the more we sail.
It paid to be more west and south than some of our usual plates. What will next weekend bring?
Everything reported must be re-scouted as conditions have changed and should not be considered safe. Sail Fast, Sail Safe.
John Stanton
NEIYA Secretary
P.S. Ron Bouchard in Shelburne, VT posted a want ad in the classified section today. He needs a DN boom. Can anyone help him out? Email: ronaldabouchard@gmail.com . Lots of good stuff including Commodore T’s winning hull from CSI.
New England Ice Yacht Association 