Windless Sunday At Eastern Champs
Dave Fortier had his camera out and sent these shots along from the Easterns- no wind Sunday but nice time gabbing on the ice!
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EASTERN CHAMPS REPORT AND PHOTOS
The 2018 Eastern Champs are in the books! Thanks to Chad Atkins for making it happen and getting the regatta in before the year is out!
Great Pond in Belgrade, Maine was the place. It was, well, great. Nice ice, big plate, good launch area, nice hotel just up the road- can’t ask for more than that right? But we got more….
The turnout was good, a great mix of relatively new blood plus some seasoned DN vets, as well as some special guests from some far off lands…. Kent Baker and his wife Erica drove out with David Frost and his daughter Audrey from Ohio and Michigan, respectively. Kent and Dave sailed while Erica and Audrey ran races and kept score. VERY stoked that this group rolled east to join the fun and all of us NEIYA gang send a HUGE thank you to Erica and Audrey for taking on the gig. This goes especially for Audrey- she just finished her first semester at U. Michigan and no doubt would rather have been ANYWHERE besides the Maine boondocks!
Breeze was spotty early Saturday but four races were sailed (maybe only three counted, depends on who you ask….) once it filled in a bit. Matt Knowles is getting dialed in and took fifth, David Frost made his drive worthwhile with a fourth, Long Island’s Chris Miller is getting on the pace and edged out Chad Atkins for second, and Commodore T was able to take the top spot.
Sunday was a wash as far as racing was concerned (no breeze) but a good time had by all gabbing it up on the ice and watching the eagles fly by- Matti Bradley was out and took a TON of great photos (click here to see! https://idniyra2018greatpond.shutterfly.com/4 ).
The midwest gang loaded up and bolted and we are happy to report that Erica was dropped off at work Monday morning with a full 15 minutes to spare. Talk about cutting it close! Thanks again to everyone who competed and stay tuned for more! Think ICE….
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- 2018 Easterns Results
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- ERICA HAVING BREAKFAST
Eastern Champs Report
Eastern DN champs are underway- three races in today and more scheduled for tomorrow-
If you’d like to sail tomorrow please come up! Late entries welcome. Email Chad Atkins at Catkins4487@gmail.com
if you’d like to sail tomorrow. See previous posts further down for launch at lodging info.
Great day of sailing today on GREAT ice and a variety of wind strengths. Thanks to The Bakers and The Frosts for making the trip East to sail and keep score!
Results so far are below-
EASTERNS Launch Site Lat/Lon
Pub Boat Landing Rd
Pub Boat Landing Rd, Belgrade, ME 04917
https://maps.app.goo.gl/abzFy
Here are coordinates:
44°31’10.1″N 69°52’25.3″W
2018 Easterns Launch Site
Pub Boat Landing Rd
Pub Boat Landing Rd, Belgrade, ME 04917
https://maps.app.goo.gl/abzFy
Funs beginning soon
Chad
Ice Boating Activities This Weekend Dec 15-16th
There is ice and we are making more every night. As announced earlier the DN Eastern Regatta will be held on Great Pond in Belgrade Maine. Eastern Details Here. I know that there will be plenty of racing as well as cruising there. Check out the Chickawaukie Iceboat Club for Maine sailing. Other places have been scouted and are ready to sail. I however do not have specifics yet. The ice email hotline has some details but nothing solid yet.
Not ready to sail, new to the sport, need help getting your boat ready, or don’t have the time to this weekend? We are gathering for an off ice tune up tomorrow 11:00 – 3:00 details below.
The Annual Tune Up Clinic. Generously hosted once again by the Arthur C. Lamb Company in Canton MA but most of us just know it as Steve Lamb’s shop.
Date: Saturday December 15th
Time: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm – Come for the day or any part of it.
Location: Arthur C. Lamb Company Refreshments: Served continuously throughout the day and lunch about noon
We have a big day planed
Highlights
- Runner Edge Prep with stoning demo – With Paul Zucco
- The club once again made a group stone purchase and full sets will be available for sale. Let me know if you want to reserve yours.
- Rules / Safety – With John Stanton
- Runner alignment – With Bob Haag
- Shifting gears – how to set your boat up for different
Wind/Ice conditions and how components work together.
This event is an excellent opportunity to get the information you need to get on the ice for the first time or go faster than last year. If you are interested we will help get you in your first boat. Remember there is plenty of room so bring iceboats or parts for sale.
Have something laying around your not using? Bring it for someone else to enjoy. Your old equipment could be someone’s first boat. The items on the NEIYA classifieds page might be available for drop off and pickup. Ask the seller(s) directly.
HAVE AN OLD ICEBOAT IN THE BARN? BRING IT. WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AND HELP GET YOU ON THE ICE THIS SEASON.
We welcome any newcomers trying to get into ice boating and onto the ice this season. Have a boat sitting in your garage, barn or cellar? Bring it down we have experts standing by to go over your craft and develop a plan to get you sailing this season. Don’t know how to rig your boat? We will show you. Not sure if all the pieces are there? We will go over it with you. We are here to help usher you safely onto the ice. No reservation needed but would appreciate you dropping me a note so we can be sure to reserve room.
See you all there and let me know if you have any questions.
Think Ice!
John Stanton
DN5023
John@neiya.org – Questions drop me a line
2018 DN Eastern Championships Are ON For This Weekend 12/15-16
All,
It’s Friday morning and here is your Eastern Region championship report from Great Pond in Belgrade, Maine. The Eastern Region championship is ON! Ice is black, hard, 4.5″-5.5″ thick, 40% Snow covered 1/4″ drifts. There are a few leads on the way out but easily spotted at lower speeds sitting up. Looks like we should have a 3/4 mile circle to play on.
Saturday morning registration 8:45-9:45 am only at the launch
Followed by a skippers meeting
1st race immediately following
Sunday morning registration 8:45-9:15 am only at the launch
Followed by a skippers meeting
1st race of the day immediately following
***Entering on either day- Signing in, registering and showing your $300,000 liability insurance coverage is mandatory along with being a current IDNIYRA member in good standing (idniyra.org) If you can have a registered sail # as well it would be greatly appreciated!***
Hotels are in Augusta about 25 minutes south of the launch off 95. There is a group of us staying at the Senator Inn and spa, mention the iceboating group might help with pricing. There is a bar and restaurant in the hotel.
Senetor Inn and spa-
284 Western Ave, Augusta, ME 04330
207 622 5804
Double- $120 (might be $108 for us)
Single queen-$99
Looking forward to seeing you there!!
Best, Chad
catkins4487@gmail.com
P.S. Any additional information will be posted to https://neiya.org
This Weekend On & Off The Ice
The season is really shaping up well. Ice has been setting up all over New England and with it cruising and racing has begun. Seems kind of early but not unusual. Looks like it caught some of us a little by surprise this year.
This weekend we will be traveling. Some of us will be sailing some lining up for the 2018 INIYRA Eastern’s and others gathering for this years Tune up. Whatever you do this weekend make it ice boating related.
Details for Saturday’s tune up are below. Watch for updates on the Easterns over the next couple days right here. There is new ice forming so sail safe and sail heads up. Monitor the ice hotline as well as the Chickawaukie iceboat club https://iceboat.me fpr places and people to sail with.
The Annual Tune Up Clinic. Generously hosted once again by the Arthur C. Lamb Company in Canton MA but most of us just know it as Steve Lamb’s shop.
Date: Saturday December 15th
Time: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Arthur C. Lamb Company Refreshments: Served continuously throughout the day and lunch about noon
We have a big day planed
Highlights
- Runner Edge Prep with stoning demo
- The club once again made a group stone purchase and full sets will be available for sale. Let me know if you want to reserve yours.
- Rules / Safety
- Runner alignment
- Shifting gears – how to set your boat up for different
Wind/Ice conditions and how components work together.
This event is an excellent opportunity to get the information you need to get on the ice for the first time or go faster than last year. If you are interested we will help get you in your first boat. Remember there is plenty of room so bring iceboats or parts for sale.
Have something laying around your not using? Bring it for someone else to enjoy. Your old equipment could be someone’s first boat. The items on the NEIYA classifieds page might be available for drop off and pickup. Ask the seller(s) directly.
HAVE AN OLD ICEBOAT IN THE BARN? BRING IT. WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AND HELP GET YOU ON THE ICE THIS SEASON.
We welcome any newcomers trying to get into ice boating and onto the ice this season. Have a boat sitting in your garage, barn or cellar? Bring it down we have experts standing by to go over your craft and develop a plan to get you sailing this season. Don’t know how to rig your boat? We will show you. Not sure if all the pieces are there? We will go over it with you. We are here to help usher you safely onto the ice. No reservation needed but would appreciate you dropping me a note so we can be sure to reserve room.
See you all there and let me know if you have any questions.
Think Ice!
John Stanton
DN5023
John@neiya.org
2018 IDNIYRA Eastern Lakes Championships Update
All,
Here is your mid week update. As reports are coming in I am leaning towards having the 2018 IDNIYRA Easterns Saturday and Sunday (Dec 15-16) On Great pond in Belgrade, ME. There is a possibility that southern Champlain could be in play but it has not been scouted yet. I will be waving the entry fee but you will absolutely need a hard copy of your $300,000 liability insurance and be a member of IDNIYRA (idniyra.org)
I hope to make the final call as early on Friday afternoon possible. If you can only make one of the days I am ok with that for this event, please let me know when registering and show up early enough to help the process as I will be sailing as well. If there are any volunteers that would like to help us run races that would be very much appreciated. Looking forward to some more great racing this weekend!
All official race announcements and updates will be posted will be posted here at https://neiya.org. Stay tuned for updates.
catkins4487@gmail.com
2018 New England Championships Are In The Books
Photo by Matt Knowles
New England DN Championship 2018 Results
Pushaw Lake, Orono, ME
12/8/18
Wind 5-12 mph
Grade 5-6 ice surface
Regatta Chairman Steve Madden
Skipper R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 TO Total
James “T” Thieler US5224 1 1 1 1 1 1* 1 5
Eric Anderson US5193 3 2 2 3 2 3* 3 12
Steve Madden US4512 3$ 3 3 2 3* 2 3 13
Chris Miller US5415 2 11* 4 4 4 6 11 20
Eben Whitcomb US4775 8* 6 5 6 5 4 8 26
Matt Knowles US5606 4 4 6 8 8* 7 8 29
Jay Whitehair US3947 DNF* 5 7 5 6 8 DNF 31
Dave Fortier US4690 9* 7 8 7 7 5 9 34
Guy Polybank US4619 5 8 10 10 8$ 10* 10 41
Chris Mayer US4596 6 10 11* 9 9 9$ 11 43
R. Gluckman US5805 7 9 9 11 12 12* 12 48
Karen Binder US 10 12 12* 11$ 10 11 12 54
John Hayes US4869 11 14* 12$ 13 11 12$ 14 59
Peter McGowan US8 DNS* 13 13 12 13 9 DNS 60
$=scored race. number shown is average for all your actual races including throw out race
*=throw out race (TO)
DNF=did not finish
DNS=did not start
Race 2 was scored by bystander
Thanks to all the scorers
Steve Madden
Coming UP – 2018 IDNIYRA Eastern’s Notice for Next Saturday December 15th
All,
NE champs ON today
Hey Folks- NE champs on for today- Pushaw Lake is the place. Launch at Gould’s Landing in Orono ME. There are a few pressure rushes between the launch and the racing area so don’t leave launch without talking w people who have been out- but racing area is good!! First start at 1030 or so- Apologies for not posting here last night- will be more consistent in the future!
NE Champs ON!
As of right now the 2018 DN NEW ENGLAND CHAMPS are ON for Saturday December 8 at Pushaw Lake bear Bangor ME. Stay tuned to this site for details !
NE Champs Are ON
As of right now the 2018 DN EASTERNS are ON for Saturday December 8 at Pushaw Lake bear Bangor ME. Stay tuned to this site for details !
2018 NEW ENGLAND CHAMPS CALLED ON FOR THIS WEEKEND!!!
Hey Folks-
Get your gear together! Regatta Chairman Steve Madden is at it already. We may just get the regatta slate for 2018 filled after all!
Looking at holding 2018 NE’S Saturday 12/8 on Pushaw lake in Maine.
Will make final call later today pending other ice reports including Pushaw. About 80% sure at this time it will be Pushaw.
Stay tuned to this site for updates and instructions. Get your stuff together!
New England Season Openers…
Newbury Harbor Lake Sunapee
The season is upon us. There is a report of ice that might be sailable on Pushaw Lake in Maine. Details on the Chickawaukie Club site https://iceboat.me.
The above drive by siting was sent to me this evening and looks very encouraging. The picture is from the southern end of lake Sunapee from Newbury Harbor.
More news here and on the ice hotline as it becomes available. Maybe some sailing this weekend!
It’s been said many times before but still applies be careful especially during the start of the season. Don’t venture out alone.
Remember the Tune Up Clinic is next Saturday the 15th. I am looking into making another group stone purchase. They will be from Boride and a variety of grits. I do not have a final price yet but looking to gauge interest. Email me below if interested
Think Ice,
John
john@neiya.org
P.S. anything from Vermont?
This Is Your Brain On Battle Lake…
Atkins and Chris “FishStick” Gordon after sailing Battle Lake today.
The faces tell the story. Atkins: mouth open and babbling like a lunatic. Gordon: Silently grinning like an idiot.
We all wish we wuz there!
Give them hell when racing starts tomorrow!
Battle Lake, MN
Atkins and Gordon got on the ice today. No written report (just as well if you know what I mean) but the photos are worth a lot.
If you’re on the way there, looks like you have a lot to look forward to.
If you’re stuck back east start kickin’ yourself!
Think ICE….
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Someone Fired Up The WayBack Machine…
This was on Reddit- someone found their grandfathers 8mm films of iceboats tearing it up on Lake Winnebago…. TOO COOL!!!
Click and feast here to see:
Battle Lake, MN
First NE brigade has hit the rendezvous point for Great Western Challenge. Atkins and Gordon are in Battle Lake MN. Look it up, it’s out there! Sailing starts either this afternoon or tomorrow depending on how beat up they are from the drive. Stay tuned….
Great Western Migration….
The season has begun…. Sailors from all over New England and Canada are headed west, bound for somewhere in Minnesota for the big kick-off….
Stay tuned for photos and updates from our representatives on the road. I will be getting reports from Chad Atkins, Chris Gordon, Jeff Kent and Bernd Zeiger. I will do my best to translate them into things normal people can actually understand and relate to.
For “official” regatta news click here: http://iceboating.net/
Good luck to all- drive safe, sail safe, kick some butt and know that those of us left behind are insanely jealous….
Think ICE!
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(N)Ice News From Maine
Picked up from the Chickawaukie Ice Boat Clubs site https://iceboat.me. They are making ice and keeping a watchful eye on things. Thanks for the report Bill. We are all looking forward to sailing soon. Some are eye balling progress in Minnesota but do believe even more are are betting on Maine. Any word out of VT? Thanks for the encouraging eye (ice) candy Thanks Bill…
Ice is coming Think Harder
Just to keep the juices flowing, here’s a shot of the narrows on Damariscotta Lake, looking north
The ice is about 3/4”, and was strong enough to withstand the gusts of wind which caused it to heave up and down, crackling in the pebbles and bullrushes alongshore. The main body of the lake is still open. This might not survive the warm front moving through Sunday through Tuesday, but what that front might do is give Plymouth Pond a surface. It hasn’t been checked since before this deep cold snap but it’s bound to be a few inches by now.
Anyone close by there willing to go have a look?
Great Western Challenge Update….
This is from the Minnesota website via Andre Baby- looks like things are shaping up for the Western Challenge…. Change the oil in the car, check the trailer lights, get the boats out, and start making travel plans!
The first regatta of the season is scheduled for Friday Nov 30-Dec 2, 2018. Per JD, usual location will be best ice in Minnesota. We have been sailing on ice since Nov 16. Many lakes up north are now thick enough.
We now have a beautiful new freeze of Battle Lake, just north of our usual Christina near Ashby, Mn.
A number of lakes closer to Minneapolis should come thru in the next week. Very little snow predicted in our regatta locations. Time to sharpen runners and check your equipment. Watch this site or Facebook Minnesota Iceboaters for updates.
http://www.iceboating.net/node/4391
Think ICE!!
Happy Thanksgiving On This Chilly Day!
Wow girl, it might be Thanksgiving and the start of a nice cold snap but that ice is not safe.
Wishing everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving. We all have lots to be thankful for but since this is the official NEIYA site I am thankful for this cold snap and the prospect of early ice. Enjoy friends and family and find some time to work on your equipment over the long weekend.
Next up: The Annual Tune Up Clinic. Generously hosted once again by the Arthur C. Lamb Company in Canton MA but most of us just know it as Steve Lamb’s shop.
Date: Saturday December 15th
Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Arthur C. Lamb Company Refreshments: Served continuously throughout the day and lunch about noon
We have a big day planed
Highlights
- Dave Fortier: Runner Edge Prep with stoning demo
- Eben Whitcomb & Greg Cornelius on Rules / Safety
- Jeff Kent & James “T” Thieler on Shifting gears – how to set your boat up for different
Wind/Ice conditions and how components work together.
This event is an excellent opportunity to get the information you need to get on the ice for the first time or go faster than last year. If you are interested we will help get you in your first boat. Remember there is plenty of room so bring iceboats or parts for sale.
Have something laying around your not using? Bring it for someone else to enjoy. Your old equipment could be someone’s first boat. The items on the NEIYA classifieds page might be available for drop off and pickup. Ask the seller(s) directly.
HAVE AN OLD ICEBOAT IN THE BARN? BRING IT. WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AND HELP GET YOU ON THE ICE THIS SEASON.
We welcome any newcomers trying to get into ice boating and onto the ice this season. Have a boat sitting in your garage, barn or cellar? Bring it down we have experts standing by to go over your craft and develop a plan to get you sailing this season. Don’t know how to rig your boat? We will show you. Not sure if all the pieces are there? We will go over it with you. We are here to help usher you safely onto the ice. No reservation needed but would appreciate you dropping me a note so we can be sure to reserve room.
See you all there and let me know if you have any questions.
Think Ice!
John Stanton
DN5023
John@neiya.org
New England Ice Yacht Association 