iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

Epic First Weekend of Iceboating at the Western Challenge

I think everyone got their fill of iceboating this weekend. On both Saturday & Sunday we had strong winds and smooth ice. The ice got better on Sunday and the wind was more consistent then Saturday. We managed to get in 5 races for gold and 4 races for silver on Saturday, and then on Sunday we got in 3 races for gold and 4 for silver for a total of 8 races for each fleet. With 1 mile courses the skippers where able to achieve the top speeds of the modern DN.

Thanks to all who travelled so far to make this the biggest, best Western Challenge in recent history.

Thanks to JD for doing a great job as the Race Chairman and also thanks to the skippers who did race commitee while their fleet wasn't racing.

--click on the read more below for complete results--

The '04 Nite Nationals are called on for Lake Christina December 11/12. Lodging and directions to follow.

Many thanks to the ~ 50 competitors who joined the Minnesota Ice Sailing Association in "kicking off" the season this past weekend at MilePost 8, Lake Christina, Ashby, MN.

We appreciate the great distances some of you travelled, and hope you found both the ice suitable and enough sailing for one weekend.

Think ice!

4695

anyone know who won th echallenge?

Lake Christina, Saturday, December 4th, 2004

Friday practice session was a good day with significant surface melting at the end of the day. The sailor retired for the night with hopes of a hard freeze. Saturday morning arrived to morning temp 34 and 10 - 20 mph breeze from the North that chilled your bones. The morning sun shined off a beautiful smooth surface and the sailors eyed it with joy.

With the course set and the fleet divided into Gold (30 boats) and Silver (21 boats) the day began.

With a 16 - 18 and gusts of 26 mph the racing got underway. The first leeward rounding of the Gold Fleet provide for some interesting viewing for the silver fleet folks observing. With 6 spin outs on the first leeward rounding the tone was set for the rest of the day.

Sorry, no dramatic action shots (too cold, and 2-lap races don't leave much time to take photos). Here are two shots of the fleet. One in the morning, and one just before the last races:

Cheers,

Geoff S.
US-5156

Debbie Whitehorse is posting some notes and photos from the 2004 Western Challenge regatta:

http://iceboat.org/images/04-05/westernchallenge/westernchallenge.htm

Cheers,

Geoff S.

38 boats setup for a few scrub races on Friday.

Winds were variable, but picked up nicely at the end of the day.

Lake Christina, Ashby, MN 10:17 am local time

Driving North on MN 78, Pelican Lake shows plenty of open water on the main lake. There are 2 fish houses on the ice in the gap between the North arm and the Main Lake.

Mile Post 8, the Lake Christina Launch Site. The lake is completely frozen, there are no visible open spots, no migratory wildlife on the ice, and no visible cracks or heaves.

Drilling holes with the bit set at exactly 3", 10 holes drilled, walking out 100 yeards, No water found, all dry holes. Estimated ice thickness to be a total of 4 1/2 to 5"

The snow drifts remain, and are 1/4 - 1/2" deep and of moderate density, it may request thin runners but the drifts are thin enought that it may not slow at all except in drifting conditions.

Looking to purchase an Ice Flyer. Live in Detroit but I travel the states for work. If you have one for sale or have any leads you can reply or call me at
(313) 587-1185.
Thanks
Stephen

Hello,
I purchased an ice boat - DN - from a person near Detroit MI. I am near Madison, WI. - Stoughton.

If anyone is coming to Chicago, Northern IL, or Wisconsin from Detroit and would have space to haul a DN please let me know.

Phone 608 873 0557
E-mail webnet@web-net.us

Thank you,
Karen

The Nite National is postponed until December 11th and 12th. Hopefully we'll find some ice that's not so far north. But if we don't, get ready to travel. The only alternative is to NOT sail. And we didn't buy these boats just to stare at them.

Regatta headquarters is the:
Best Western, The Falls Inn & Suites
925 Western Ave, I-94 & Hwy.210
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
1-800-293-2216

When you make reservations mention that your with the iceboat group and get a discount. The rate for a double room is $65.

Acomidations include:
96 Guest rooms and suites
Hero's Family Eatery & Sports Bar
Complimentary Expanded Continental Breakfast

Lodging is also available at:
AmericInn
526 Western Ave. N.
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
1-800-634-3444

Fergus Falls is aproximately 15 miles West of the Ashby Exit on Hwy 94. The Alexandria hotels that we have used in the past are booked due to a hockey tournament this weekend. Directions to lake Christina are posted under the heading Ice information. Basically, Take the Ashby exit, go north to mile marker 8, stop and look right. Launching is along the shoreline.

As a first-time visitor to the Ashby area, I'm wondering where to stay?

I'm not much for great luxury, but a nice bed, a warm shower, and a short drive to the launch site are always nice.

Cheers,

Geoff Sobering
DN US-5156/Laser 145234/Renegade 510

Saturday 1:00 CST Lake Christina, Ashby, MN 32d F. Partly Cloudy.

Short Version, Buy your ticket Jorg!

Long Version: Driving up to milepost #8, the launch site on Lake Christina, Jorg Bohn, G737 called to ask if the ice was suitable, and if he would be well advised to buy his ticket to come to the regatta.

The snowfall from yesterdays event appears to be ~ 1/2" deep, covering perhaps 90 percent of the lake, it got plenty wet from the rain that fell intermitently, and didn't blow around much. Alexandria indicated 0.01" of total storm precip, Fergus Falls station indicates No Measurable. We didn't get much, and it shows no water stains tell-tailing holes or cracks.