Great Western Challenge Regatta, Primary Site: Lake Osakis, Osakis, MN (I 94)
People are off airplanes, enroute from Boston, MA to someplace up on the Lake Wobegon Trail...
THE PRIMARY SITE FOR THE 2008 GREAT WESTERN CHALLENGE REGATTA IS LAKE OSAKIS, OSAKIS, MN
We believe this is The Best Ice in the Great State of Minnesota. 
A large sailing area, 6-8 inches of optically clear ice graded at 9 - 9.5, fully 50% better than Sunday at Minnewaska, by US 5369 and local recreational DN Sailors independently. People are sailing there today!
Places with great ice in every direction if we need to relocate.
Photo's, Launch site and logdging info will be posted shortly.
It's going to be ... Amazing
Carpe DN
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Good first day
Big ice with 50 boats+ on Osakis.
Ice was a grade 7-8 with a few little launchers and had to cross a pressure ridge. Wind was SSE at15-20MPH.
Lots of smiles and a few sore necks. Must of run 12 scrub races. The optis had a blast closer to shore. We have a dusting of snow right now. Hope it is 1 inch or less.
The Ice Maker and Aussie film guy with ABC producer have been shooting on the ice stuff for production.
Stay tuned. Still time to drive up from Mpls for the 15-20NW on Sat. Great hospitality in Osakis.
Party starts now.
Mike
BUFFALO LAKE THURSDAY
Buffalo Lake Thursday 9AM Dec 4, 2008
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Submitted by DN 5369 on December 4, 2008 - 14:04. Library Images VIEW 2 PHOTOS UNDER IMAGES LIBRARY
A drive by image only. One ice house in middle of lake. One large easy to define open spot on north east side of lake. THERE COULD BE OTHER SMALLER ONES. NOT CHECKED OR SAILED IN PAST 6 DAYS. APPEARS TO BE 4-5 INCHES ICE 50% SMALL DRIFTS.
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First Arrivals
Looks like Ken Smith and company are going to be the first on the scene.
I just got a call and they just drove through mpls/st.paul so they'll be up there in two hours.
Competitors are on the Scene
Ken and his group are setting up.
They are reporting 10% drifts 2" or less over black ice on a big lake.
update
Ken reports they could not get to water with a spud, and assess the ice as Drive On.
Yeah, we got here, we sailed and we approve.
WE are not hopeless optimists. But we love sailing and this is an good place to sail right now and in the foreseeable future. I cannot foresee as far as some might think they can. My trailer and four boats are on the ice.
This is a good site with very sailable ice.
Did I say it is very cold?
See details on DNAmerica.org
http://DNAmerica.org
Ken Smith
DN4137
Ken Smith
DN4137
Snow report 8AM Thursday
The Osakis motel reports a minimal dusting less than 1/2 inch on Wed night. It is clear skys now. Forecast calls for 30% chance of flurries Thurs eve-Fri eve with wind on Saturday! Dress for the cold also.
The Sportsman Motel has been booked since Wed. Try the big apartment for 8-12 persons in town above the Walleye Lodge & Bar in town of Osakis 320-859-3663 after 3PM today Rate $400/ weekend. See posting elsewhere for more details. Or 4 options in Saulk Center just 14 miles away. Have a safe drive and avoid the pigs on I94 &I494. Big mess at 6AM Thursday due to overturned semi!
Mike
Ice report Wed 10AM
Just spoke to regatta headquarters, Sportsman Motel in Osakis. Rooms are all sold out! Not a flake of snow, blowing 15MPH and 16F. Forecast has a slight chance of flurries, highs near 20 each day and at least 10-15MPH each day!!! Sharpen the runners. Should be epic.
Mike
Ice Report, Dawn Dec. 3
after the non event, Promising first light reports...
First ice reporter checked in, things are still looking great up north... Perham to Detroit Lakes areas were missed by the snow and are in most excellent condition...
Al from Browerville said it was 44 F. yesterday and we probably lost a great deal of what little snow was on Osakis, they haven't seen a flake of snow, and He's sailing on Osakis Today.
24 hour archived radar loop is available at WUnderground.
http://www.wunderground.com/radar/radblast.asp?ID=MPX
Live Webcam in Alexandria, 12 miles West of Osakis, shows no snow on the ground!
http://216.168.84.52/local/viewer/petescm.shtml
Osakis Photos
Ice Report and Photos courtesy US 5369, up before dawn.
Gentleman-start your engines!
Osakis report: Google Map
100 yards from SE shore at idelwild resort shows 8 inches ice with hard pack 40% and white snow ice with black in between.
¼ mile out showed 90% black ice 6-7 inches thick, so clear you can see bottom at 12 feet.
The 10% spindrifts average 1 inch in height, with the very deepest at 2 inches. Would be easy to steer around most of them. Compared to Minnewaska on Sunday, we have 10% drifts and Minnewaska had 20%. Same consistency and depth.
No pressure ridges noted and all verbal reports from 5 sources are no duck holes or open areas. 4 wheelers were seen in many areas on Sunday. It was 10F last night. Very hard smooth black ice.
I rate it a 9
Clearly excellent conditions on a big sheet of ice with the following amenities:
Launch right in town ramp. Able to drive on ice and park trailers. Parking lot holds 60 vehicles.
Walleye Lodge & Bar 3 blocks away opens for drinks, food and dinner at 3PM. It may open earlier for us if need be. 320-859-3663.
Primary lodge is the Sportsman Motel 12 units left 320-859-5400.
$60+ tax 2 Queen $50=tax 1 queen wireless and cable broadband free. Prefer bring own cable and hard wire. No meals other than coffee 2 cafes open early in town.
I sent you details last night for rates and other choices.
I will check Washington at 4:30 PM
Pray for no snow.
Rest of lodging info for Osakis
The Chamber of Commerce Info center 1 block from launch will be open for warming up and toilets!! Thank Jan!
Bar & resturant in Osakis 1 mile from launch Walleye Lodge & Bar.
Good place to meet for dinner or lunch and a few drinks. They open at UPDATED 2-3pm FRI, 11AM SAT, NOON, SUNDAY. BAR & TABLES ACCOMODATE 70-85 PERSONS. ALSO DINING ROOM HOLDS 75. THEY ALSO HAVE AN APARTMENT HOME ABOVE BAR AVAILABLE FOR RENT.
4 BEDROOM 2BATH, LIVING ROOM,LOFTED CEILING WITH SLEEPING FOR UP TO 12 PERSONS. 4-8 PERSONS RATE IS $400 FOR WEEKEND INCL FRI/SAT NIGHTS. OVER 8 ADD $25 each. OWNER -DEB, KNOWS WE ARE COMING. 1-320-859-3663. LAUNCH IS BLOCKS FROM BAR.
Bar & Resturant in Saulk Centre right next to Palms and Americ Inn
Gerards Sports bar & Resturant Big place good food and plenty of booze. Could fit entire group in 14 miles from Osakis.
Headquarters for regatta and postings in lobby. Sportsman Motel in Osakis 320-859-5400 Only 10 rooms left.
2 Queen beds $60+tax 1 Queen bed $50+tax
5 blocks to launch site
Broadband-bring own cable. wireless net rooms close to office
basic motel 4 years old very clean. Interior hall. May allow a dog or 2! free coffee in office starts at 6AM Owners George & Char
Option 2. Idlewild resort on the lake 1/2mile from launch
Mom& Pop place with only 3 winterized motel rooms avail upstairs of lodge. Rustic I did not inspect. Suzie and husband owners
1Queen $60+tax 2full size beds $65+tax 1-800-648-1713
Option 3.Americ Inn Saulk Centre 14 miles SE of Osakis on I94,closer to Minneapolis. pool/hottub hot breakfast free./wireless
$91.90+tax 2Queens or 1King. both smoking or NS -ASK FOR THE ICEBOATING DISCOUNT OF 10%
Variety of suites at $129.90+tax about 12 rooms open. 320-352-2800
Option 3. Palms Motel Saulk Centre 14 miles SE of Osakis
pool/hot tub/continential breakfast wireless and resturant/bar lower level next door to Americ Inn. Palms is a little worn out but adequate
Plenty of vacancies. queen $76.60 incl tax 2queens $94.12 incl tax
320-351-7256 or toll free 1-877-351-7256
Option 4. Hillcrest Motel Saulk Centre 1/2mile from I94 on Main street.
Clean Mom &Pop back up to door. Some rooms allow dogs!
Single $45-49 Double $60 +tax
320-352-2215
option 5
Gopher Prairie Motel Saulk Centre-corner of I94 & 71.
Clean & nice 1 Queen $40.96 +tax King-$45.48+tax 2 queens $58.68 =tax
Many openings
320-352-2275
Mike
Roomates Needed?
Looking to share room with others for Fri and Sat nites. Please contact Ben Shaevitz basmoss at hotmail dot com
Will arrive MSP Airport about 6 pm Friday then drive to Lake Osakis.
Will make reservations today as soon as posted. thanks
Ben Shaevitz
Harrisville, PA
DN US 5395