iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

GTIYC FUN REGATTA update March 8, 2004

Well, you will be relieved to know that the local meteorologist is ok and back to work at TV 7&4. I was disclosed that he had been transported in a very large piece of corrugated drainpipe to the GTIYC clubhouse, where he was detained for several days. He said, the food was not all that special, but after having nothing else to do but watch iceboat videos for two days, I now have a totally new appreciation for winter and the great times that can be had. I promised the GTIYC members that I would do everything in my power to bring winter weather back for as long as possible. They gave me a warm pat on the back, a THINK ICE bumper sticker, and sent me on my way. Because I have seen the errors of my ways in hastening the demise of winter, I am treating this experience as an opportunity to expand my horizons and no formal complaints will be filed. Well he brought winter back all right, and while maybe not the best of conditions, a lot of sailing was had on North Torch Lake this past weekend. A dozen or more DNs, a Nite, and Skeeter were on hand to give it a go. Although there were several flat air periods, the DNs were able to get in some great club races for about four hours, while the larger boats searched out the lake. Sunday brought a full array of winter experiences. We started at 7:30am with enough air to have three hours of fun sailing in three inches of very wet snow. When the air died shortly before lunch and the temps climbed into the upper thirties, the snow melted to about 1", creating lots of slush. Quite a few sailors showed up Sunday morning, but became discouraged by the slush and dead air. With long drives ahead of them, the Detroit, Mt. Clemens, and Lansing sailors sadly had to=20 leave. At approximately 3:00pm, the wind did a 180-degree flop and a northwester began to blow. While several DNs made it out on the ice for some terrific sailing, it was the Skeeter and the Nite that tore up the lake until almost dark. Although soaked to the bone and with boots full of water, we basked in the memory of some of the best sailing of the season (so far.)The weatherman is trying to make it happen, but it will be a wait and see situation. Stay tuned and check the GTIYC hot line(231-922-3836)later in the week.