iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

Has anyone been over to look at Whale Tail lake? I don't have time to run up to Lake Christina this weekend and would like to sail somewhere close to home around Minnetonka and close by. Anyone else up for some sailing Saturday or Sunday around here?

Most of the Tonka DN'ers are heading up to Ashby MN to sail Lake Christina on Saturday November 22, 2014. If you leave by 7:30 you will be sailing by 10:30.
JD predicts a "Top 10" day. Big smooth ice, decent wind and warm weather.
Think Ice!

Hello Race Fans,

We have two regattas coming up.

1st Regatta is the unsanctioned Great Western Challenge. This one is scheduled for best ice in Minnesota on the first weekend in December. December 5th, 6th, & 7th. Friday is always the best day and, as always, never and entry fee. Very informal. We do ask that you become a member of the IDNIYRA to help promote the sport of iceboating.

2nd Regatta is the 2014 IDNIYRA Western Regional Regatta. Mike Miller, from Minnesota, is the Western Regional Rear Commodore and you can expect updates for that regatta to also appear on this site. We tried to get it in last season, but we had too much shell ice on Green Lake to get it done. The 2014 IDNIYRA Western Regional Regatta is currently scheduled for December 13th and 14th.

In Review:
Fun Informal Great Western Challenge with special guests from our European tribe -- December 5th, 6th and 7th.

Official IDNIYRA Western Regional Regatta -- December 13th & 14th.

Think Ice!

Do we have a report for Lake Buffalo this week? I heard it was frozen last week . My guess would be that there is plenty of ice on it by now.

Saturday looks like the best day. Saturday morning at Sturges Park?

Minnesota's Ice is ready!

Minnesota has been blessed with its earliest ice in years. At least 10 DN's have sailed this weekend at both Lake Christina and a small pond, Swede Lake. Both were sailable ice and thick enough. Lake Buffalo is frozen, unsailed and now has an inch of blown crusty snow from last night. A few other lakes will freeze this week with cold weather predicted. Heavy winds are forecast across MN for next two days as well.
I have consulted with a number of DN racers about calling on the 2014 Western Regional for this next weekend, Nov 22-23.

The Commodore and others will be at Swede Lake today arriving around 10 am. The lake doe have some snow on it.
Who knows, could be a perfect day to dust off your plate runners.

You will be hard pressed to recall an iceboat season that started as early as November 15. But mark this date on your calendar. Today, Tonka sailors ventured up to Lake Christina in Ashby MN and enjoyed a rare early start to the season. Congrats to the Doctor for being the first to rip across the lake!

The ice is over 6" thick and rated about a 7. It was a perfect day to clear out the cobwebs and put a few scrub races under our belts.

Several of us are heading to Mile Marker 8, Lake Christina, in Ashby MN. We leave Saturday (11/15/14) at 7:15 a.m. We will be home by dark.

WARNING:
Lake Christina has not been sailed. We do not know if the ice is safe. The ice has not been checked.
Check the ice before you sail. DO not sail alone. Carry ice picks or bear claws.

Harlan reports in from mile mark 26 of Christina at 8:30 AM Friday!
100 yards out, 4 to 4 1/2" of solid ice. Temp at zero and mostly calm and sunny. He walked over a some small chunks of refrozen ice as it was windy when it froze on Tuesday night. No duck holes can be seen. A very light dust of snow, almost like a hoar frost covers the entire lake.
Pelican, where he lives has less ice. He did not walk it. It had some open spots on Thursday, but are likely froze over last night.

If Flyer602 were here (intead of in Texas!) he would swear we should be sailing Christina this weekend?
Does anyone know anything about the ice up north.

Nite #246. Fast Orange. For sale by original owner. Boat is in very good condition. Two sets of runners with the newer set in excellent condition. Newer North sail, also in excellent condition. Cockpit cover, snap in seat cushion, everything you need to go sailing. Located near Minneapolis. $3800.
Rob Evans (612) 275-6010.
revans@mastersofsail.com

Dammm , and I'm still in Tx. but we are starting an E fleet, Black Tie for E's anyone this spring after iceboating? meyer

The 2014 Western Region Regatta is scheduled for Dec 13-14, 2014. This follows the prior weekends Great Western Challenge, scheduled on Dec 5-7 for the best ice in Minnesota.
The 48 racers who registered and paid for the attempt last January at Green Lake, Wi will be pre-registered.
With the next 10 days weather forecast, ice will soon be made in many locations.
Use this site for posting Minnesota ice conditions.
Official notices for the DN Western Regionals will be posted on the DN forum website.

Mike Miller
US5369
Western Region Rear Commodore

I wanted to give a shout out to our friend Tim Carlson of Sailcrafters for hosting our local swap meet last Saturday. Tim generously opened his loft and served coffee and donuts so the rest of us could turn our thoughts to iceboating. Thanks Tim! Much apprecaited!

No matter what class of boat you sail or race, on both soft and hard water, please do not hesitate to contact Tim for your loft and rigging needs.
Tim Carlson: Phone: 952-693-6089 Email: Tim@Sailcrafters.com
Web site: www.sailcrafters.com