Celebrating the perfect balance...

The Vernal Equinox, the perfect balance of dark and light, marking a new beginning.

Four weeks ago, after Geneva and Mendota had gone away, we sailed an epic Western Regionals on Lake Pepin the last weekend possible before it turned...

Two weeks ago we sailed Minnetonka, under similar, albeit rougher conditions, and it was great.

This weekend, sailors from Minnesota again are out sailing on ice, marking the end of a milestone season of ice racing in Minnesota. No doubt about it, 602 and 4811 will be telling us all we missed another epic weekend of ice sailing.

The first runner cuts of the season Nov 22, http://www.iceboating.net/node/2487 and ending for all practical purposes (what's practial about iceboating?) Today, marking the 20th weekend since our season began.

There were times we had to move snow to race this year, and that looks like something we'll be doing again.

What a hoot!

4695

Comments

Mille Lacs sailing

602 and 4811 returned from the big ice this afternoon, missing only the port side trailer bearings and races. For what is most likely the last reported sailing of the "Spring 2009" Season.

Local fishermen were driving ATV's on what they reported to be about 2' of Mille Lacs Lake Ice on Saturday April 11th. The landing areas were reported to be a little slushy, with some big pockets of slush (most likely around drain holes I suspect).

Three DN's set up and sailed in very light air on Saturday, 602 and 4811 didn't report on Saturday evening adventures, but said they sailed Easter Sunday 2009 from about 11:00 until 3:00 pm in big breeze on big ice before calling it a day/season.

If Northern ice reporters have good ice frozen to shore and a suitable forecast, don't hesitate to post... people want to know.

Carpe DN

4695

Although we suspect suitable ice remains farther on down the road, Leech, Bemidji, Upper Red and Lake of the Woods being suspect.

a chill just ran down my spine...

If: the average ice out date on Mille Lacs is April 24th, ten days hence, and it was still great sailing yesterday.

And the Average Ice Out Date on Shagawa Lake in Ely MN is May 3rd, the last average ice out lake I know of in Minnesota.

Then: by the book, there should be great sailing to be found WayTF up north. Shagawa, Bemidji, Vermilion, Lake of the Woods are all last week in April lakes.

Who knows, it could happen.