At the launch this morning the thermometer read 2F, but the wind was 0 mph. Racing was delayed for quite some time. By 11:00 am I noticed a head stay telltale flying straight out and said as much to a few guys in the pit, but no one was convinced. So, the guys gabbed and I forged out to plate. It’s about a 1.5 mile push through snow and very rough ice. It’s exhausting.

By the time I reached the sailable ice, the wind was definitely blowing a steady 10 mph and the race committee was just setting the windward mark. That gave me a lot of time to get settled and set up before others arrived. After one lap I was happy with my runner choice, but saw dark clouds and snow showers on the horizon so switched to my ABSS sail. A good call as the wind just got bigger as the afternoon progressed and at times racing was delayed due to white out conditions and marks falling down. T felt the wind was a steady 15 mph with gusts in the 20s. With blowing snow, he said the conditions were not for the faint of heart.

All of that made the racing really really fast. I thought yesterday was the fastest I’d ever gone in my boat, but today I reached a new kind of speed downwind. I felt like my boat had a jet engine and it was going to go insanely fast whether I wanted it to or not. It almost felt like it was ready to lift off the ice and fly. While I was working hard to race well, I didn’t focus too much on my place in the fleet. I took it as another good day to work on sailing in big wind. My last race was my best race, but I still lost two boats on the last downwind leg. ARGH. I did hear a few guys comment on how challenging the conditions were and so for me to stay in control, finish all the races, and beat a few gold fleet boats made for another great day of sailing.

A few of us at the end of the racing said out loud to each other how fast we all felt and then just shook our heads in disbelief that the top guys (Ron, Chris, T, Steve, JR) still finish a leg in front of us. How fast must they be going?

Tomorrow has us doing three more races to wrap up the Nationals. The wind is predicted to be light.

Cheers, Karen DN 5630

Sometime yesterday there was a collective sigh heard amongst the New England iceboating community. The white stuff has fallen across our region covering up some of the best sailing this season.

In case anyone needs a reminder about taking advantage of good ice as soon as it’s available. Bantam came and went in a matter of a few hours yesterday. Sailors set up early sailed and marked the hazards and a couple hours later they were forced off the plate due to accumulating snow. The wait continues.

Let’s post some first hand info into the comment section below or if you prefer our Forum. https://theneiya.org/forum/

We are sorting through rumors of areas of ice that have missed the brunt of the snow. With a little luck some people could be sailing for the weekend or sooner.

Think Clean Ice,

John
DN5023
john@neiya.org

Hi folks,

Today was the first day of Nationals with 52 competitors traveling from as far as North Carolina, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Florida, and New York. Black Lake is located in Northern Michigan and the lake is large. The day had big winds with gusts to 20 at the start of the day and the temperatures hovered at the upper teens. Snow was whipping around and the pitted ice made sailing pretty exciting. T and I arrived early on Sunday and managed to practice both days. Given the limited sailing back east, it was nice to have two solid days on the ice before the racing began.

I squeaked into the gold fleet after finishing 12th in the qualifying race. For me, today was about sailing with confidence in big wind which has always made me very nervous. I started with my heavy 90 degree inserts and my flatter sail. I surprised myself with solid starts by sitting more back in my boat and hiking a bit until I was two blocked. I made good lay line decisions both upwind and downwind, and my mark roundings especially at the leeward mark were at good speeds but always in control. In one race I had a great start and rounded the top mark in 5th place just behind T, but what I am learning in the gold fleet is that these really experienced gold fleet sailors just ZOOM-ZOOM away while I watch from behind and wonder why?! It must come down to better and constant sail trim both upwind and downwind. T said he is constantly playing his sail. I tend to lock in and let her ride.

By the 3rd race I felt I could sail a bit faster so I switched to my 95 degree inserts. The wind was fading a bit and that was causing big slow-downs when hitting the drifts. That really helped a lot in my other races. Yes, my finishes are still at the bottom of the fleet. But given the very challenging wind and ice conditions I definitely sailed the fastest I have ever gone in my boat and I had a lot of confidence at those speeds. Last year, I remember being terrified in big wind. Today, frankly, it was a total rush.

More tomorrow!

Karen Binder
DN 5630

It’s on!

https://www.idniyra.org/2021/01/23/2021-u-s-nationals-called-on-for-black-lake-in-michigan/

Although completely snow covered on arrival this morning lake Sunapee showed herself in fine form today. Some uncommonly brave new sailors inhaled their first ice chips at speed and a light gaggle of cold blooded veterans got a handful of mother natures rowdiest winds coming down from the northwest. I overheard one sailor say they measured a gust of over 40mph and I heard others say they were ringing the bell at 40-50mph at speed…. and that is on 3/4” of hardening snow base! Crazy. I’ll forever recall the 80’ snow contrails blazing up from Kate Marones runners as she looked so calm at the tiller. An amazing day.

First, the good news…. nobody got hurt. We did have a couple of cartwheelers and a bit of hardware was pushed beyond its limit but we all made it back to the pits with pre Covid type ear to ear smiles. The bad news is that toward early afternoon it became inherently unsafe. More like vicious. Survival mode for those without storm sails. So in light of higher winds forecasted for tomorrow (gusts high 40’s) I can’t say in good faith it is wise to sail at all. We were not able to race today as it was way too sketchy and tomorrow will be worse. I for one don’t want to break my boat so I will not be there.

Stay tuned to this NEIYA homepage. Word has it new ice is forming on the big lakes and the forecast looks to be settling nicely after tomorrow.
Elbows in!

Contact me if you lost a single black rubber ice gripper.

VC Jay Whitehair

The latest and greatest…. stay tuned

https://www.idniyra.org/2021-us-nationals/

Our VC Jay Whitehair will be sailing on Lake Sunapee tomorrow Saturday, Jan 23rd. Launch from State beach park. Excellent space for parking and setup. There are hazards so check with those who have been out before venturing on your own. Launch info below.

Plenty of room for all to cruise and there will be some marks to round as well.

Speaking of marks we have not given up on some regular regattas but the complex web of Covid regulations is making a difficult process even more complex. More on that later.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir//Mt+Sunapee+State+Park,+86+Beach+Access+Rd,+Newbury,+NH+03255/@43.3428806,-72.1317978,12z

Lake Wentworth remains good but there are active hazards so be careful. Check with locals. No word on Monomonoc in Rindge NH but will post as soon we know.

There are BIG winds forecast for the region so be careful out there people.

Think Ice, Sail Fast, and Be Safe

John Stanton
NEIYA, Commodore
john@neiya.org

Covid-19
While we are all anxious to get out and sail, especially as our season begins, While Covid-19 is still amongst us, we MUST all practice Enhanced Personal Responsibility. Basically, take the personal responsibility that we iceboaters already practice and turn it up a few notches.

Before you go:

• Be aware of and adhere to all local, state, or federal regulations.
• If you have any symptoms get tested and be negative before you go. If in doubt, stay at home!.
• Practice Social Distancing – Easy gauge, the length of a DN plank is eight(8) feet.
• Keep congregating and socializing in the pits and parking areas to a minimum.
• Wear your mask or face covering while setting up, transporting gear to and from your car or trailer, and while setting up.
• The NEIYA will NOT be holding any official after ice activities so plan accordingly.
• Let’s all be safe and keep the safety of others in mind in everything we do.

The latest-

https://www.idniyra.org/2021/01/21/2021-u-s-nationals-update-3/

Good Morning all. As most of you know a bit of snow has fallen over some of the lakes that people had been sailing on got a little snow and a little warm snap. While this wasn’t dumping, those near those lakes feel it is prudent to give them a check before venturing back out. In NH Monomonac, Sunapee and Wentworth. We know of no known ice in MA, including all our usual go-to places. In CT there has been steady progress at Bantam and reports are expected later today.

That leaves us with Maine, where there have been good reports coming from our friends at the Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club (CIBC) aka http://www.iceboat.me for the latest in that area.

Look for further updates later today

Think Ice & Sail Fast,

John
John@neiya.org

P.S. If you know of anything or just need info please leave a message in our Forum section https://theneiya.org/forum/

Here is the latest from mission control- read up and stay tuned!

https://www.idniyra.org/2021-us-nationals/

As mentioned yesterday we are coming into prime time. Our Vice Commodore Jay Whitehair was scouting Lake Sunapee in NH earlier today. Jay launched from State beach park and scouted the south and north ends. CAUTION there are some large holes in the south end that are skimmed over. Be very wary of the pressure ridges between the north and south sections. These are active areas and MUST be crossed with caution.

Jay will be back sailing on Sunapee tomorrow. Launch info below.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir//Mt+Sunapee+State+Park,+86+Beach+Access+Rd,+Newbury,+NH+03255/@43.3428806,-72.1317978,12z

Monomonoc in Rindge NH and Wentworth are still in play. A wide range of venues can be had in Maine check out iceboat.me for details. And maybe even more as we move into the weekend.

Think Ice, Sail Fast, and Be Safe

John Stanton
NEIYA, Commodore
john@neiya.org

Covid-19
While we are all anxious to get out and sail, especially as our season begins, While Covid-19 is still amongst us, we MUST all practice Enhanced Personal Responsibility. Basically, take the personal responsibility that we iceboaters already practice and turn it up a few notches.

Before you go:

• Be aware of and adhere to all local, state, or federal regulations.
• If you have any symptoms get tested and be negative before you go. If in doubt, stay at home!.
• Practice Social Distancing – Easy gauge, the length of a DN plank is eight(8) feet.
• Keep congregating and socializing in the pits and parking areas to a minimum.
• Wear your mask or face covering while setting up, transporting gear to and from your car or trailer, and while setting up.
• The NEIYA will NOT be holding any official after ice activities so plan accordingly.
• Let’s all be safe and keep the safety of others in mind in everything we do.

Take a look folks, and stay tuned. Hope to see a good turnout!

https://www.idniyra.org/2021-us-nationals/

James “T” Thieler
12 Channing St.
Newport, RI. 02840

401 258 6230
t_thieler@yahoo.com