Hey Folks- looks like we are off to MN to duke it out for the NA champs.

We tried to find a spot to host this event out east but came up short…. Lakes too small, open water, snow, un-sail-able rough ice…. Just couldn’t put all the pieces together.

But not for lack of trying! Have to thank Chamberland, Roseberry, Bucholz, Zierman, Hill, Brush, Gervais, Silfvenius, and others for putting in the time and the miles. Kudos gang!

Anyway stay tuned to the IDNIYRA site for updates. And check NEIYA site for local sailing- sounds like plenty of good sailing to be had in NE this weekend and beyond!

https://www.idniyra.org/2024-dn-north-american-championship-called-on-for-waconia-mn/

We are coming up on the weekend and in front of our Thursday call here is what we know.

MA:
Quaboag Pond as reported by Bob S. has lost most of its snow but left a bumpy but looks to be sailable for the weekend. Bob will keep a watchful eye on it between now and the weekend.

NH:
Sunapee just keeps getting better and better according to people who sailed on Tuesday
Wentworth boats are still set up there more info to come out tomorrow
Winnipesaukee is looking good off of Leavitts and may well be a prime weekend destination more info to come

ME:
As reported by Bill Buchholz on iceboat.me Maine has a couple of venues with Damariscotta bubbling to the top

This year’s DN North American Championship was scheduled to take place in the Eastern Lakes Region. Despite the extraordinary efforts of James “T” Thieler, Bill Buchholz, Paul Chamberland, and Jeff Roseberry— who scoured both large and small lakes in Maine and John Zierman and Charlie (S) Silfvenius, who monitored conditions on Lake Champlain and Lake Winnipesaukee, respectively, suitable ice was not found. A contingent of NEIYA sailors is already en route or soon to depart for Lake Waconia, Waconia, MN. Updates on their westward progress and racing will be provided.

The sun is getting higher on the horizon every day. Don’t put off getting on the ice.

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

P.S. More content from Janet will be up soon.

Take a look!

https://www.idniyra.org/thinking-about-registering-last-minute-for-the-north-americans/

Another great afternoon on lake Wentworth.

Cyclone busting snow humps

.

This weekend not one but TWO rehabbed stern steerers made the ice on Lake Wentworth in NH. Dusty, the latest to rise from the ashes, just had a new set of sails sewn last spring. A few tweaks needed to fine tune her. But she sailed ok after stretching her bones. Cyclone makes her second showing since the restoration and performed as well as the skippers old bones would allow. To add to the celebration a newly rehabbed gambit glided over the ice as well.

Sunapee was once again by an assortment of boats on Sunday. Reports from the ice noted the wind has scoured much of the snow off the surface but there are still snow patches to steer around.

Maine has several opportunities available now and a couple new options being investigated. Check out the Chickawaukie Club’s site for details iceboat.me.

Boats are still set up on Wentworth in NH. This includes a newly restored stern steerer.

Echoing James “T” Thieler’s appeal for regatta-sized ice. If you see something say something. Scouters have been searching high and low but maybe something was missed.

We are heading into a mid-week warm-up phase so be alert for change.

More info as it come.

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

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