iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

https://www.idniyra.org/eight-bells-mark-kiefer-us4695/

I have a Nite that I think is ready to go. I’m wondering if there are some instructors out there that could show me the basics. I know how to sail but never have done it on ice. I live on Minnetonka but have a trailer. Any help would be appreciated

clear ice from excelsior to wayzata including main lake. appears smooth enough but also make sure no shell ice and thickniss. ice not scouted yet. sat concern is shell ice/thickness. sun and mon cold. put on at beach tonka bay or harrys cottagewood. meyer

since so warm mpls. back to christina. one day trip? sat or/and sun? meyer

I took this in-air photo on December 4, 2019. Ida has been making smooth seamless ice for about a week now with no heaves or fracture joints that I can see from shore. Obviously currently snow-free.

Lake MacBride: currently all clear of crust and snow so it's fast, but bumpy. An incredible 18" thick!

10 am start time for Sunday.
3 races in each fleet.
Results
http://jpvm.org/results/2018/IDNIYRA/Great%20Western%20Challenge.html

To paraphrase Yogi Berra; " It is difficult to make predictions, especially about the future!"

The current storm heading our way is a concern. Will it be rain or snow or miss us altogether. Who knows. As a result, it looks like we may need to wait until Thursday, and maybe even Friday noon, before Western Region Commodore Dan Hearn is able to make a regatta decision. Stay tuned!

Think Ice!

"Today it's time of glory is past and forgotten"

Check out the first minute of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9Y14FPlXUw

Fun video from the Canadian National Championships held in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Video courtesy of Alan Auld at Imagine Films. As you can see the scenery was spectacular. We sailed on beautiful ice, in a moderate breeze, with clear skies and 35 degree temps.
https://www.facebook.com/ImaginePhotoCinema/videos/vb.521807631204926/15...

Almost every lake right now is picture perfect.

A perfect 10, ice and weather.

Lake MacBride 8" thick, no snow, a near 10. I've learned to hold off when the temps are below zero. The Coralville Reservoir left behind 50 yards of sheet ice when it dropped, making access problematic. Might be good for Nordic skating until the wind picks up.
Rolley

What's an iceboater to do when the lakes melt?

You could get a foiling Moth or catamaran, but for a bunch less $$$ you can hit a local parking lot in a blokart like Jim Nordhaus (US-5566) and I did a few weeks ago: