A good time was had by twelve boats. Multi classes represented from BDX to Wiz, DNs and a brand new pilot tearing it up on a lockley

Conditions varied with steady breaks from 10 to 15 and gusts in low 20s and some snow squalls in the heavier air.

The surface was light crusted snow on top that plates got a good smooth grip on. There are some soft boat stopping snow drifts.

People will be returning to state beach launch tomorrow. Come on down. If you are coming leave a comment to encourage others.

Sail Fast,

John

DN5023

John@neiya.org

Hey Folks-

Like everyone else we are needing some serious ice, but this is for the DN NA champs next week, starting the 25th.

If you have any intel on where a good sized plate (2 x 2 mile minimum) may be hiding with good access, plenty of parking, and a hotel or two nearby let us know! Email addresses are below.

This is your chance to be a hero! Thanks, T

Last night, the IDNIYRA Governing Group met to discuss the site selection for the 2024 North American Championship. A weather system is currently moving across the eastern part of the United States. Despite the usual challenges, we remain committed to finding the perfect location for the championship.

We are sending scouts to explore potential New England and Northern Minnesota sites and are monitoring conditions in Northern Michigan. On Tuesday, we have a conference call scheduled with a weather service to discuss the long-range forecast for the regatta. At present, we do not have a primary site secured. However, we are working hard to finalize our decision and plan to announce the chosen venue on Wednesday night, February 21, 2024.

Your assistance in this process is invaluable. If you have any information regarding potential regatta ice, please do not hesitate to contact your regional commodore. Stay tuned for further updates as we navigate through this process together.

Regional Commodores
Host Region – Eastern – James “T” Thieler t_thieler@yahoo.com
Canada – Colin Duncan – colinduncan439@gmail.com
Central Region – Peter Johanson – petejoh@med.umich.edu
Western Region – Chris Berger – berg820@yahoo.com

Sorry for the late response here’s the scoop. If its not listed I either know it to be uninhabitable or have no information. As always if you see something say something. My email is at the bottom.

Sunapee: Possible for the weekend. Sailed today by a small group it was quite windy and rough. Good time was had by all and some will return on Saturday

Visiting artist and filmmaker Janet Biggs (https://www.jbiggs.com/) and husband Bob with Mark Credit Peter Boynton

More on the filming in another post

Wentworth: Maybe – Boats are set up but snow needs to evaporate. There will be attempts at sailing. Give it a try.

Scouting and Photo Charlie S.

Quaboag (The Q) was scouted by Bob S. this afternoon and he reports. the snow has blown off the north end but the south end is still covered. Not sure what it will be like to sail. Cut new holes that measured 5 in. Bob says he may go out if a few people want to give it a go. Sorry no picture is available but we all know what a half-snow-covered lake looks like.

Points Maine:
Check out what Bill has written on iceboat.me Basically Damariscotta sounds good if anyone wants to venture up there.

As to who is going where well we know some people will be back at Sunapee so round up a buddy or two and drag them out. It has been reported to be rough but I have not personally been on it so make your call. People are also likely to show up at Quaboag to see it for themselves. Take a run-over if you need a break to get outdoors.

Think Ice and Sail Fast,

John
DN5023
john@neiya.org

The consensus on last night’s well-attended call was to wait and see what the snow brings us. Reports are coming in:

Great Sacandaga West end got 4 plus inches and is done for now, as reported by Paul Chamberland. The East end is being checked and will report back if the prognosis is positive.

Sunapee received 2-3 inches and the snow is currently being blown around and my clear up in a few hours. More news as it comes in.

Wentworth area received a few inches and as Charlie S. said “Have to see how the “wind” broom does” throughout the day
No word on the various Maine Lakes. Check iceboat.me for the latest

That’s all that we know for now. Updates will follow later today when we better understand the snow’s impact. Remember there are big winds today so a big sweep could occur.

Think Ice without snow,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

As you read this some people are setting or sailing across our region. There was some urgency expressed as we have another system bearing down on the previously spared areas of NH and ME. To those who got out today have a great day.

I received a request from a NY artist and filmmaker Janet Biggs (https://www.jbiggs.com/) who is interested in filming some ice boating activity on Friday and Saturday in NH. I invited her to join us tonight at 6:30 and she can provide details on the call. Keep this request in mind when you tune in tonight.

Fingers crossed that we can carry the current good fortune into the weekend. With a little luck, we will have some great cruising and some scratch racing and maybe some silver on the line.

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

Not sure how I left it off our ice list last night but Levitt Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee is still in play with a good surface waiting to be sailed. Please note caution is required as new hazards are likely.

There should be lots to talk about condition-wise tomorrow night at 6:30 pm and hopefully even more options.

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

We have moved through a warm spell and the storm didnt dump snow atop our ice. So line em up, more opportunities are right off the beach.

VP Charlie S’s scouted Wentworth and found an 8″ average with a minimum of 6″ over all. the surface is a little bumpy but a very sailable grade seven. The only problem found was a pressure ridge on the north side of Triggs Island to the shore and another off Turtle Island. People will begin gathering tomorrow

As reported yesterday Sunapee was sailed Monday and people will be returning to State Beach in the coming days.

Bill Buchholz is pumped about the conditions and writes “The lake has improved measurably since our last sailing there. The pressure ridges have calmed down, the surface is a strong 7, and the quality of the plate is flawless.” Read the full report on iceboat.me.

There is more ice out there so don’t keep it a secret

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

As the snow falls across coastal New England we can look at its beauty knowing our more northern (inland) lakes have been spared this time around and waiting to be scouted and or sailed again.

With Tuesday’s pending storm in the forecast, three members sailed Sunapee from State Beach yesterday. Their diligence paid off and had a great day of sailing. Very possible there will be more to come on Sunapee in the coming days. To the victor goes the spoils. In this case, a great day of sailing when the odds didn’t look great. This was not an accident but the result of watchful efforts on Mark Friedman’s part. Mark thanks for your dedication to keeping track of Sunapee.

More first-hand conditions coming in over the next couple of days.

Stay tuned and check in on Thursday’s 6:30 PM call for weekend activities.

Thanks all who have tirelessly kept a watchful eye and scouted venues across the region.

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

It’s Superbowl LVIII and we are often sailing somewhere this time of year. I have often listened to the start of the game on the way home and rolled up to a SB party sometime around halftime.

As we know this year is different. We watched as temps have crept up this week and are peaking right about now. Temperatures are dropping tonight and then we have some snow event. How much? Just wait and see.

With the snow coming sometime Tuesday a small group of people will continue scouting Sunapee at State Beach Tomorrow Monday. Sunapee has been scouted today and is 7-9 inches thick and smoothing. There is no guarantee what the actual conditions will be but get it in before the storm comes. Might be the last shot for a few days, so if you have off come out. There are tricky conditions so be careful and buddy up for sure.

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

Last night’s well attended call focused much on the quality ice time that was had by so many across the region rather than the near future i.e. this weekend. People have been sailing all week with crowds gathering on Chickawaukie and Damariscotta in Maine, Leavitt’s Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee, and Mallets Bay on Lake Champlain as well as an old stand-by Quaboag Pond in MA.

All venues saw good crowds full of race folks, cruisers, and in a couple of cases the next generation of iceboaters gliding across Chhickawauki and Winnippusaki.

With the warming trend and overall warmer weather over the weekend, people have pulled their boats off the ice and we have paused activities for a few days. I know some of us will venture down to the water’s edge for a look. This is important to understand what condition the various plates are in before it gets cold again in a couple few days.

Stay tuned we will have more to talk about early to mid-next week.

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

P.S. Please be sure to pass along ice status over the next few days and share your pictures too.

Sailors have found ice and will be sailing for the next couple of days.

Starting in the north Chickawaukie Pond and Damariscota Lake at the north end have been and remain sailable. There are some details on the Chickawaukie Club site iceboat.me and do check with people who have already sailed it.

As previously reported People sailed inner Mallets Bay in Colchester VT.

Leavitt’s Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee has been sailed all weekend and boats remain set up on the ice. Seek out local if you go as there are always hazards somewhere.

Quaboag Pond has been sailed and some people will be headed there for more today. Do check with those who have sailed it.

There are reports of people sailing a smaller-than-usual plate at Bantam yesterday they are likely to return today. Note, bigger boats have not set up there yet. Be careful and consult with those at the launch area.

That’s all that can be or has been relayed to others at the moment.

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

Four Boats sailed inner Mallets Bay today. Ice is primo grade, 8-9 out of ten at least!

We didn’t check the outer bay but plenty of room on the inner part.
More boats planning on sailing tomorrow- marks will be set for scratch racing. Launch from Mallets Bay Fish And Wildlife Access Area in Colchester VT.

Look forward to seeing some boats on the ice tomorrow!

T