Just as I was editing the previous entry about Montana’s first ice, received this photo from Minnesota ice sailor, Mike Bloom, who has his DN rigged for the first ride of the season on Lake Christina in Minnesota, the site of many Western Challenge fun regattas.
5 PM UPDATE:
Christina provided smiling faces on Opening Day!
Our western friends check in with their first sail of the 17-18 season. Patrick Dillon sends this beautiful Montana landscape with Dave Gluek at the helm of a DN.
Photo: Tim Stanton. Lars Barber and Doug Kolner taking away what is not needed for the new Nite plank.
Planers and sanders are making dust as iceboat parts are being produced in shops around the Four Lakes region. After a trip to McCormick Lumber yesterday for some Sitka Spruce, the guys at the Belle Isle Boatworks – Stanton Campus began working on a new Nite plank for Lars Barber.
DN sailor Mike Madge opened the North American ice sailing season in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada today. He reports on his Facebook page:
First sail of the year. Went from using FO1 in the morning to a Speed Sail then just skating.Fun day but really windy,almost had my first out of boat experience as the gusts were huge. Nice hard black ice with less the a cm of snow cover.Too windy to film sailing using an IPad.
The Ice Maker is working overtime tonight in the Midwest with temperatures of 8F tonight in western Minnesota!
Photo via Mike Miller posted on Minnesota Iceboaters Facebook Page. Lake Christina at 4:30 Monday Nov 6, 2017.
The Iceman Cometh! From Montana to Minnesota to Finland, ice is coming online and the sailing season will commence shortly! Who will be first?*
*Disclaimer: Observe all precautions when checking ice. Sail Safe and Smart!
National Iceboat Authority Web Page
Location: In person at the Elks Lodge 711 Jenifer St, Madison, WI 53703
Time: 6:30 PM
YOU ARE SKIPPER NUMBER
TO ROUND THE MARK SINCE NOVEMBER 1999.
