No Racing This Weekend
Sorry Folks, the weather just isn’t cooperating- warm temps and rain are giving us pause and we’ve decided to err on the side of caution and cancel racing for the weekend. As we all know, warm temps and water on the ice can be trouble…
Exercise caution if you are going out! Bring picks and rescue gear and don’t go out alone!
Stay tuned….
Looking for Ice This Weekend…
Decisions, decisions, decisions. Lots of ice has set up over the past couple of days but conditions are challenging. We were on Quabag before Christmas recent weather puts it in the unsafe till proven otherwise status.
New Hampshire has a number of rumors and people have skated including Otter pond, Squam and Winnipesaukee off Leavitts Beach and Wentworth. Sunapee though sailed yesterday is not considered safe now by those who were there a little over 24hrs ago. There have also been reports of ice on Sebago and Mallets Bay in VT has reports of decent ice.
T is trying to find the best option for the remaining unsailed regattas from 2019. His call will be made later in the day. Remember just about anyone can get on the course and if your not racing they can always use scorers or just sail outside of the course.
With so many new plates coming in all at once it is hard to say where the best and safest conditions are. Remember there is safety in numbers. We need further information from people on the ice. Buddy up scout and sail with extreme caution. There have been a lot of pretty ice pictures from skaters (some sail too) floating around on social and the web but we need a little higher confidence level.
I believe there are good sailing venues out there but things just need to be checked and please share so that we can spread the word.
Thinking about checking out ice leads and following the skaters? Buddy up. Don’t have a buddy post a comment below. Report back your findings via comment below or ice@neiya.org. You will be rewarded when others come out to sail with you.
Sail Fast and Sail Safe,
John
DN5023
Racing This Weekend
We are getting optimistic reports on ice in Malletts Bay VT and Sunapee NH. Bodes well for the weekend…. That said there is a bit of challenging weather headed this way (a little snow, maybe some rain, some high winds and warm temps) which may throw a wrench in the works- so we will keep an eye on things-
IF we can find a safe plate we will try to have the 2019 Doc Fellows Regatta, possibly another race the next day. Would love to fill the NEIYA 2019 regatta slate…
As always this nit limited to DN class yachts- any class with three or more boats will get a start! And don’t forget the vintage/classic award; if you don’t have a boat that is exactly cutting edge you may still get a prize….
Stay tuned to this site for details- if you have ice let us know at ice@neiya.org and if you are out remember to know and obey all the safety protocols.
Think Ice!
Boxing Day Sailing Tomorrow Lake Sunapee NH
Scouting Sunapee
Miss out on anything today? Didn’t get what you had hoped for? Well, dig way down to the bottom of your sticking for a super present. Jay and locals have been keeping an eye on Sunapee off of the State Beach and reports that there is solid black ice all the way across to the far shore with a surface of about a 9!
The rest of the lake has not been scouted so be very cautious if you venture into the larger body but plenty of space without wandering off.
Launching is from the state beach with carry on access from the parking lot to the pit area. People will congregate around 10 am.
Come to cruise come to tune up whatever just come. There will be cones for those looking to hone their skills.
Before setting foot on the ice seek out local recent knowledge. Remember the season is young.
Sail fast and safe,
John
DN5023
IF No Racing In NE….
…Consider the central region champs. Keep an eye on IDNIYRA site and stay tuned….
https://www.idniyra.org/2019/12/23/2019-dn-central-region-championship-be-ready/
That said we hope to be sailing in NE that weekend so hopefully we can stay local and still have good racing and cruising-
Keep an eye here for updates on all!
5224
QUABOAG 12-22-2019
John Pepper sent this shot of Quaboag Pond at sunset the other day- A nice view after a great day!
Gotta love that little body of water, always seems to deliver early in the season and draws a great crowd-
Hopefully it will stay frozen over the next few weeks and we can get some more sailing in to wrap up 2019 and welcome in 2020.
Meanwhile we are hearing rumors of some good ice in NH- Stay tuned, more details to come….
If you have ice let us know about it at ice@neiya.org and we can all have an excuse to get out of the house over the holiday.
Think ICE!
Excellent Promo
Have to love the top of John Pepper’s trailer!
Well done- great to see the name on display in a big way-
Last Minute Shopping: Register for the 2020 North American Regatta Today! – DN North America
Take a look- sign up now, keep it cheap, and get some swag!
2020 North American Early Registration Deadline Dec 23
Hey Folks- A bit last-minute with this but here it is- sign up fast and save a few bucks- North Americans is always a great event- make this the year!
Click and sign up here-
https://www.idniyra.org/2019/12/20/2020-north-american-registration-deadline-dec-23/
Quaboag 12-22 2019
Good day on Quaboag Pond- 15 craft made it to the lake, the ice was still good, wasn’t too cold, but barely any breeze until about 3:30 PM.
Those who resisted the urge to pack it in early were rewarded with some good runs as a nice afternoon puff filled in-
A good time had by all, especially Jack Pepper who had his first taste of hard water speed- we hope to see him on the ice again soon-
The rest of us had a good day sailing the sucker puffs, shooting the breeze, and practicing starts and getting our cardio in!
Even with no breeze it beats the hell out of a good day at the office….
Warm temps and holiday stuff will make sailing over the next few days tough but stay tuned, good things are on the way-
If you have ice, send an email to ice@neiya.org and we can get the mojo working-
Think Ice and Happy Holidaze…..
T US 5224
Quaboag Sunday Coming Up
quaboag 12 25 2016
Quabaug Pond in Brookfield MA was scouted from end to end but the wind just didnt cooperate. There will be a group returning tomorrow morning.
See you there.
Come on down rig up and sail.
There is bound to be a good crowd out there so sail heads up!
Please let us know you plan on coming in the poll below and leave your fellow iceboaters a comment below.
Think Ice,
John
DN5023
Recent Cold Continues to Deliver…
Last night’s cold has brought us more options.
Charlie S. has just gotten off of Lake Wentworth in NH and reports that the ice is a solid grade 5 to 6 but much rougher near shore. Launch areas are near the state beach off of Rt 109 near Wolfesbor Center, NH.
While Wentworth has ice it needs further scouting. Bring an experienced scouting team or assemble with locals. This is a notice of what was found not a general invitation to sail.
Be safe people,
John
Quaboag Pond Ready to Sail
Photo credit Soderholm Quaboag 2/3/18
Quabaug Pond in Brookfield MA has been checked this morning and is ready to go. The usable plate is smaller than we see later in the season as well as the usual trouble spots exist. Before sailing off, seek out advice from those that have ventured out. It is early and there are know regular issues as well as some current observations.
Looking like light wind tomorrow Saturday and maybe more on Sunday. This is a good opportunity to clear out the summer cob webs. Cruise around have fun and im am sure if there are like minded folks a few orange cones will go out for scratch racing. Everyone is welcome and everyone at any levels will learn something.
There is bound to be a good crowd out there so sail heads up!
Please let us know you plan on coming in the poll below and leave your fellow iceboaters a comment below.
Think Ice,
John
DN5023
No Racing This Weekend
Sad news sports fans, no race-able ice was reported in NE so we have to skip the racing this weekend. Stay tuned, there may be ice for scratch racing and cruising and/or something afoot in Canada…. Load your gear and cross your fingers!
Details as the come in…
The unofficial hard-water season kick-off >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News
Nice article about the GWC and a great photo of Colin Duncan duking it out with Rhea Nichols! Click and enjoy-
http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2019/12/18/the-unofficial-hard-water-season-kick-off/
Racing This Weekend?
Hello All- We have some preliminary reports of sailable ice up north- as 2019 is winding down the temptation is to squeeze in a regatta or two to fill the slate for 2019.
More details to come but in the meantime get your gear prepped and loaded and be ready to race!
As ever if three or more boats of any class show up we will give them their own start and division. If you own an older DN know that we are toying with the idea of awarding a “Classic/Vintage Division” trophy to the skipper with the best result in an older boat.
This will be loosely defined, completely subjective, and at the whim of the race committee and an esteemed panel of judges assembled on site. So if you have an older boat and want to hit the race course make this the year!
Proof of insurance will be required for each competitor-
Watch this site for news and details.
Think ICE!!
T Thieler
NEIYA Regatta Chair
Western Challenge Wrap Up by a Newbie
Sunday’s breeze was as predicted – light! The first race for the gold fleet was for 10:00 am. It was blowing maybe 5-6 and by the last race of the silver fleet it died to about 3-4. But, the good news was we had bright sun light and that made the 5 F temperature not feel too extreme. The brighter day also made for better visibility which certainly made me feel A LOT safer on the course.
With the lighter breeze, sun light, and a good safe day of racing behind me with an additional few hours of practice in my new boat after Saturday’s racing I felt ready to push myself a bit. Based on the result of the previous day’s last race, I was assigned to start on left side of the course in #18 position. When I lined up, I really scratched the ice with my spikes to make sure I had good traction for my push. When the flag dropped, I pushed off and sprinted very hard and kept sprinting until I couldn’t anymore and then slid into my boat gently (as I have been told to do). There was a good enough breeze that I could power up fairly quickly and I got my boom locked down into my shoulder. I learned the day before I really had not been pulling my main sheet into the proverbial “two block position” which I have been told is the speed nirvana point. So, I pulled and pulled until I saw the little gold marker coloration.
Many boats tacked under me over to port, but I wanted to go almost to the lay line. When I tacked over I could see just a few starboard boats coming towards the mark. I picked my spot and tacked over. From there, I stayed high around the windward mark to maintain speed as I have been encouraged to do and I easily gained ground and passed many of the boats to leeward of me. I had a good downwind leg and in that race I finished 6th in the first race of the day. I was really excited.
The 2nd race I was on the left side again and after sprinting got into a rough patch of ice with no speed. It was like the brake was on. I still ended up finishing that race in 8th place.
For the 3rd race, I really gave my start all I could give because the committee announced it was the last race of the regatta. When I slipped into the boat I really focused on building speed because the wind was very very light. I was PATIENT and I built speed. Again, most people below me tacked behind me. I kept going almost to the lay line as I was going fast and in clean air, but not too close to the lay line because I knew when I tacked over to the starboard lay line I would need speed going into and around the mark….T told me “speed begets speed” so tacking too close to the windward mark is a bad idea. I had good speed and stayed high around the mark. Some boats gybed quickly, but I did not. That has never worked well for me. So, I stayed high passed several other boats, went to the lay line and then gybed. As I approached the leeward mark all these people in the pit were raising their arms and cheering. After my rounding I was looking up the course and no other boats were there. I had rounded the leeward mark in first place. Amazing! And then I did the proverbial “Binder Choke”
My second windward leg was not good. I was low and slow and overshot the layline by a quarter mile. When I finally got to mark I’d let at least 8 boats round in front of me. I had little speed around the windward mark. The wind was really dying. I decided to gybe since I saw Bill B. do it. I caught some wind, but we were all pretty slow. Some were getting out and pushing. I decided to push too. I did that twice and by the time I got to the leeward mark I did have speed. My 3rd windward and leeward legs were better. When I approached the finish line, I figured I was maybe top ten. I was bummed, but okay with it. Then, a very nice woman named Maureen (who sails and races a Nite) approached me and said “great job!” and I said “thanks.” She then said “You got 3rd!” My silly enthusiasm got the best of me and I jumped up and down and screamed. Then, I gave her a big hug and told her she made my weekend.
When the final results were posted Bill, T, and I were already in the van driving home. I learned I’d moved from 16th place on Saturday to 11th place by the end of the regatta out of 27 boats. Last year and exactly the same weekend during the New England Challenge held in Maine, I was lapped during two different races and I did the “superman”at a start (where you lose your footing and fall on your plank, hold onto it for dear life, and get dragged around for a while). So, progress has been made.
My biggest take away from the weekend is that just like soft water one design racing, a good start makes your race so much easier. I will be continuing to work on that as the weeks progress. In college, I read Sailing Smart by Buddy Melges and I remember he recommended doing doing 100 tacks and 100 gybes in a practice session. For me, I want to practice 100 starts ASAP.
Congratulations to T and Bill for finishing in 2nd place in their respective divisions. I also want to thank T, Jeff Kent, Steve Madden, and Steve Duhamel for all their help, encouragement, and my DN equipment upgrades over the last year! I am very grateful.
Cheers,
Karen Binder
DN 5630
Secretary NEIYA
Mark Christensen DN US 4824
Sad news from MN as Mark Christensen rounded the top mark for the last time on Saturday. Those of us who knew him were lucky to know a guy who was soft-spoken and humble, yet free with information and as competitive as it gets once on the race course.
Mostly he was known simply as “The Doctor” due to his skills and profession as a safe-cracker and technician. He was a skilled sailor as well, spending a ton of time at the top level of DN racing in the winter and in the very competitive Flying Dutchman class in the winter.
Doctor, we are going to miss you something awful. Fair winds, sir….
2019 Western Challenge Results – DN North America
The Great Western Challenge lived up to the hype- it was a challenge, it was western, and it was GREAT. NEIYA represented well with a dozen sailors competing.
One notable result was (he’s gonna kill me for saying it) budding DN racer Bill Bucholz taking second on the silver fleet after Chris Gordon, the man from Nantucket, dominated day one. Warren Nethercoate from Halifax took third, Gordon ended up eighth, and semi-rookie Karen Binder took 11th. Kudos to her for leading a lap in one race and finishing in third- well done!
In Gold T Thieler came out on the wrong side of a tiebreaker and took second to Ron Sherry. Pete Van Rossem put in a good series to be next New Englander in seventh place.
No matter which fleet you were in or where you finished the racing was awesome. Saturday saw big breeze and fast, close sailing. Sunday was lighter, more cerebral and a whole other ball game. Great to sail in a variety of conditions. Congrats to all who made the trip!
Stay tuned for weekend regatta and sailing announcements- There may be events to be had….
Great Western Challenge results here:
https://www.idniyra.org/2019/12/16/2019-western-challenge-results/
James “T” Thieler
12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840
401 258 6230
t_thieler@yahoo.com
Sharing Knowledge With The Friendship
The day started out with warm rain and pretty much stayed that way the entire day.
The NEIYA fellowship began gathering, to set up, well before the official start time of official start time. From the start young, experienced, novice, and nubies began talking iceboating. A call to order to review the agenda was made at about 11:15am. First up Jay on ice safety review, followed by plank building with Paul Zucco and runner stoning with Eben. Along the way a break out team found time to help Bruce from NH rig his new, to him, DN for the first time inside the shop. Believe it or not only the battens were missing.
NEIYA veteran and founding member Leo Healey made an appearance. Leo was the voice of the hotline so long it’s hard not to think about that when one talks to him.
Jay Whitehead opened up talking about the effects of cold on the human body. Jay laid out simple steps in identifying, treating and preparing a hypothermic victim for the arrival of EMT personnel. People remained attentive for the entire presentation and through the question and answer session. Way to go guys for attention.
Paul Zucco was up next and had a number of plank building steps laid out so we could see how and understand. I overheard a comment from an experienced woodworker that he took away a number of tips from paul. Thanks, Jay we all learned a lot.
Eben Whitcomb was closer with a demonstration on stoning one’s runners. Eben stressed the importance of patience, consistency and attention to detail while slowing honing blade edges to perfection.
Have a question for Jay, Paul or Eben to leave a comment below.
None of this would be possible without the continued support of Steve and Linda Lamb and Linda’s sister Sharon.
Up next, conditions dependent, the the unraced races and the return of early season cruising.
Think Ice,
John
DN5023
john@neiya.org
In the Hunt @ the Western Challenge
In the hunt. Photo borrowed from Puckaway Ice Sailing Squadron group on facebook. Return the favor and like them @ https://www.facebook.com/Puckaway-Ice-Sailing-Squadron-308974399914941/
Saturday morning brought a total of 56 sailors to the shore of Lake Puckaway with grade 7 ice. As predicted the breeze was a steady 10-12 with puffs to 15. Two fleets were raced with T, Chad, Jeff and Greg in the gold fleet and Chris, Bill, and me in silver.
The first race was called for 11 am and each fleet did a total of five races for the day. I can’t find the days results online to confirm, but T and Chad had great days with T getting two firsts and finishing the day in first place with a one point lead over Ron Sherry. Chad had a very good day ending in 7th place Jeff raced two or three races and was top ten in those races. Greg was just back to racing after two years and some knee issues and also ripped it up.
In the silver fleet, the breeze was on for Chris Gordon to crush with five bullets…Way to go Chris! And Bill, who we are all hoping switches from the skeeter fleet to the DN fleet on a more regular basis, gave Chris a good run for his money and was right on his tail, finished the day in 2nd place.
Way to go NEIYA!
For me, as a new racer with several hiccups last year, I was extremely nervous before the first race. I call it vomit nervous. But I got on the line, pushed and did my best to get a feel of my new boat and move my head around a lot to watch other boats. My goal for the day was to be very aware of others at all times, stay in my boat, keep my mast up, not do what’s a called a superman at the start, and be conservative around mark roundings. That’s especially hard for someone who has been a pretty aggressive laser sailor and have found mark roundings a great place to make gains.
My best race of the day was a 9th out of 25 boats. That race was about getting a great start the left going to the lay line and finding a good-sized hole to tack over when all the other boats were coming to the mark on starboard. After that race, some rig adjustments were made to adjust for heavier breeze and I just had a bit more trouble getting up to speed. By the end of the day, I landed in 16th in my division out of 25 boats. Respectful for my first big regatta.
After racing, T And I stayed out for about two more hours with me just doing lap after lap after lap. It was the absolute best to sail the course without the distraction of other boats because you can go all out and really dig into the speed. I am quite sure I went faster than I have ever been in my boat as I was going around the windward mark a few times. I’m hooked!
Today lighter winds are predicted…wish us all luck!
Karen Binder
DN 5630
NEIYA @ The Great Western Challenge
Hi,
The drive out to the midwest was relatively easy with only a mild snow squall in Pennsylvania but no traffic or accidents to hold us up. T, Bill and I got out of Newport
by 10 am and by midday on Wednesday we learned the regatta was moving from Minnesota to Princeton, Wisconsin on Lake Puckaway. That reduced the drive time considerably. We arrived by about 4 am, slept for a bit, and headed to the lake later in the morning. There were already a few guys from Canada, Chris Berger from Chicago, and a couple from Wisconsin setting up and sailing with a stiff breeze. It was the first sailing of the season for most…
The New England Ice Yacht Association is well represented with ..Bill Bucholz from Maine, Chad Atkins, Chris Gordon from Nantucket, Jeff Kent, T, Greg Cornelius, and me.
The wind was blowing between 6-8 maybe puffs to 10 by the time I got out. The ice was relatively smooth but a big hole was found by one of the Canadians (one of his runners actually went into the hole) and quickly marked. A course was not set up so folks were just practicing and coming back to the pit to adjust setting etc.
Friday was to be the the first day of racing but no wind predicted and the forecast was spot on. Many other sailors arrived including Ron Sherry, John Dennis, and several brand new to the sport sailors even one guy from Georgia.
And today. T is sitting in first with a one point lead over Ron Sherry. Chad is seventh. In the silver fleet Chris Gordon is first and Bill Buchholz is second. New England is looking good!
From the shores of Puckway,
Karen
DN5630
Sailing tomorrow Sabattus, ME
Glommed from cibc and facebook
Lee Spiller sent this photo of the ice he found on Custer Pond maine (AKA Sabattus Pond) in Sabattus. Lee skated the lake top to bottom and reports 3 to 4 inches of ice mostly grade 9. The lake has not been sailed, as always caution is to be used. The boat ramp is located on the southwest side of the lake just northwest of the town of Sabattus at Martin Point off Lake Street. Lee plans to sail tomorrow as do I. Winds are forecast to 5 to 6 MPH with possible rain starting around 4PM. Info on the lake can be found at lakesofmaine.org search for town of Sabattus.
There are reports of some rough spots but worth the sail.
Its early in the season, be careful.
John
DN5023
John@neiya.org
P. S. If you are planning on going leave a comment below.
Talk Talk…
Vixen image borrowed from the http://hudsonrivericeyachting.blogspot.com/ – Hope we her up on Winni this Spring.
It seems like that is all I have been doing the past few weeks. Talk about iceboating with friends, family, fellow softwater sailors and of course all of you ice devotees. Some of the non-devotees have lost interest so I was forced to go on the road this past weekend.
Saturday, first stop Week’s Yacht Yard Patchogue NY on Long Island. Located about halfway between the Throgs Neck Bridge and Montauk right on the Great South Bay. Thanks to all the guys at the Lake Ronkonkoma Iceboat club for good conversation and a freshly grilled burger. My first iceboat sail was on Lake Ronkonkoma so I always have fond memories of the place and people. Great to see all the LI people in one place and know our conversations will continue on the ice somewhere.
Sunday, brought me to Hudson NY and the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club‘s annual meeting. The HRIYC are iceboat historical custodians for the Jack Frost, Vixen and so many other boats. From time to time over the past 20+, I have ventured onto the Hudson to sail with the museum boats. The Hudson sailors might be the most patient iceboaters in the northeast as their venue does not freeze ever year and its a real chore to cart 1000’s of pounds of boat parts and gear to a new venue. We all share a passion for iceboating whether piloting a craft made of carbon fiber and constructed in an autoclave or rescued from a barn and lovingly restored to 1800’s splendor.
I let the group know that we have been keeping a keen eye on Winni over the past couple of years and wanted them to once again bring some of the big boats up for a Frolic. All were keen on the idea and pledged to make it happen if conditions cooperate.
The 2020 Wooden Boat Calendar featured Vixen one of the HRIYC’s boats for January. Nice to see an iceboat make the cut. Here are a couple places to check it out or just Google. NOAH Publications and Landfall
See everyone at the Lamb Tune-up in Canton MA this Saturday 10 – 3 PM. Details Here https://theneiya.org/2019/11/17/annual-tune-up-saturday-december-14th/
SO ENOUGH, TALK TALK and on to the doing part. Good luck to the NEIYA members that have ventured out to the Western Challenge to tune with the top tier. We look forward to hearing about what looks like near-perfect conditions.
Lastly, reports are coming in from all over and some are venturing out for a look and test. Careful out there with new ice and keep the information flow coming so we can gather when conditions allow.
Think Ice,
John
DN5023
John@neiya.org
P.S. FYI as some have noted Yahoo is about to turn off the Yahoo Groups including the Iceboating group many of us have been on for quite a few years. Doug Sharp and I are in the process of archiving all the content so it is not lost forever. I encourage everyone that has content on the Yahoo Iceboating group to download their own content HERE and follow the instructions. last call is December 14, though there are rumors they will extend that through the end of January but I would not bet on it. Now is the time to get your stuff before Yahoo does a big purge.
New England Ice Yacht Association 