Unfortunately, snow has covered the ice at Fort Peck. Mother Nature decided she didn’t want us during the target week, and until she decides what she wants to do, we are on hold. Weather models show a significant warming trend next week. We want to put everyone on standby with hopes to hold the HWS on the third target week of March 21 – 24.
Ice sailors are eternal optimists, and we are holding out hope that the snow will disappear. We will continue to keep you informed about conditions. We understand it may be challenging to adjust your schedules, but we will still try to make this happen if Fort Peck ice comes in. All the pieces are in place, and the snow will soften out with a bit of luck.
We will keep you in the loop and send a weather update on Monday, March 7.
Polishing The Playground
We can officially report now that the inaugural Hard Water Summit will not be taking place during our early option week. All signs are “Go” for our target dates of March 13 – 18.
Here are a couple shots from yesterday, March 1. Over the next 10 days, there is hardly a dusting of snow in the forecast and it’s going to be warm during the days. That means our playground will continue to get polished, setting us up for an epic event! If you are not yet registered, don’t delay any longer. Register here. Hotel rooms and event commemorative vest, both which are limited, are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Here’s a shot of our Fort Peck playground shot yesterday afternoon, February 27, 2022. Get registered, dude, you’re not going to want to miss it!
Our good friend, Pat Heppert, is a Carhartt kind of guy. He thinks Gortex is for sissies. Well, Montana feels like a Carhartt kind of place. No sissies there, either. So, our commemorative clothing item selection was a no-brainer. Only one question needed to be answered, “what would Pat wear?” Here it is, but you can’t buy one unless you are registered.
Want one? Get registered. We need to give our food suppliers the headcount for our social functions ASAP. Oh yeah–quantities and sizes of this collector’s edition vest are limited, so don’t delay. Pat will be looking particularly sexy wearing this hot little number, but you could be whining like a little girl because you missed out. Here’s the link– https://montana.iceboat.org/
Best From Your HWS Team,
Daniel (Sissy), Sean (Shutter King) and Deb (Rock Star)
Speaking of Montana, Canyon Ferry Nite sailor Dave Gluek checked in with some news about a new DN sailor there. Michael Dunston joins two other Australian DN sailors that I know of here in the states.
Attached is a photo of Michael Dunstan, the Australian sailor who recently moved to Montana. He purchased Dale Livezey’s DN. Michael is a quick learner and sailed very well. Michael’s dad (age 79), the 1981 overall winner of the Sydney Hobart soft water race, paid a visit to his son here in Montana. I sailed with him in the Nite and we hit 52 mph. Last weekend Michael/skipper and his mates won the VX One Fleet Winter Series in Pensacola Florida. They will all be at Canyon Ferry this weekend for some iceboating. Dave Gluek
Registration for the inaugural Hard Water Summit is open. Target dates remain March 13 – 18, but in the event that Mother Nature serves up the Hollywood ice and perfect weather forecast early, we may shift to the week prior. Similarly, if she decides to dump some white stuff leading up to our target week, we may delay to the next week to allow the ice to clear.
March is high school athletic tournament time, so it would be a good idea to book your hotel reservation right away. Our guaranteed room block is limited, so if you miss out, you may be out of luck. Or sleeping in a tent on the ice, if you are hardy like Andy Gratton.
Stay tuned for news on our limited edition commemorative clothing item that you will have the option to purchase. It’s certain to be a collector’s item and it will make you look 10 years younger when you are wearing it at the bar.
Here are a couple shots from yesterday, March 1. Over the next 10 days, there is hardly a dusting of snow in the forecast and it’s going to be warm during the days. That means our playground will continue to get polished, setting us up for an epic event! If you are not yet registered, don’t delay any longer. 
