Nite News 1/3/03

Living Large on La Belle & Wayzata Bay

From Fred Miller (#371) 12/31/02:
PIYC sailed on Lac LaBelle, located in scenic Oconomowoc, Wisconsin on December 28th and December 29th.  The ice was very smooth with scattered small snow drifts that were crusted over.  The warm temperatures on both days made the ice very fast. 

Saturday's racing was limited due to light winds out of the SSW.  Scott Brown (#559), visiting family in Oconomowoc over the holidays, trailed his Nite down from Minnesota, looked very fast in the light air, and won the first race.  Following him was Mark Wilfert (#350), Jim Gluek (#487), and Debbie Ziegler (#497).  A second races was attempted but was abandoned when the winds died and the race turned into a track meet.  The fleet then broke for lunch and waited for wind which came back around 2:00 p.m.  A second race was started and won by a very light and fast Debbie Ziegler.  Mark Wilfert showed his good light air speed by again finishing second.  Tom Wilfert (#503) came in third followed closely by Craig Adams (#120) in fourth.  The wind then ended for the day along with the racing.

Early Sunday morning looked like the end of Saturday as the predicted winds for the day were late in arriving.  However, as boats were readied for racing, the wind came in out of the south and the fleet enjoyed five great races.  Craig Adams was the top boat of the day winning three of the five races.  Rick Kotovic (#414), racing for the first weekend this year, broke out a new light air sail and battled Craig hard, winning one race and never leaving the top three on the day.  Fred Miller (#371) won the other race.  Racing was extremely tight with all the races close, position changes throughout the races, and different boats leading. 

We also had some new faces join the fleet.  Glenn O'Malley (#447), Jim Kiehm (#388), and Rob Conley (#488) joined us for the first time on LaBelle.  We also welcomed back Dave Keck (#499) after a long absence from racing.  There may be some fun sailing on LaBelle on New Year's day and club racing will resume, pending good ice, on January 4-5.

From Mike Bloom (#535) 12/30/02:
The Tonka Nite fleet enjoyed another great day Sunday, December 29, 2002, sailing in Wayzata Bay on Lower Minnetonka.

On Saturday, there was no wind. Normally, with such great ice, disappointment would be the mood for the day. However, many of us ventured over to Harry Allen's house and got caught up in the excitement as they set up their big class "A" Hudson River Stern Steerer. The boat was originally owned by Jim Gluek's grandfather so it probably dates back to the late 1920's. The boat is as large as it is magnificent. Seeing her sail on Sunday was even more spectacular.

Sunday started out with relatively mild winds and soft ice. The soft ice was reminiscent of the Nationals up on Winnebago a few years back. Everyone seemed to be fairly equal, speed wise, although Erwin always seemed to be leading at the finish . We sailed 4 or 5 races. Bloom, Nordlie and Slocum took turns following Erwin across the finish, although I think Nordlie may have earned a bullet, as well. After a short break, we returned to the ice (sans Slocum who was called home for kid duty) and enjoyed a rapidly building breeze. We raced 4 more races and every race was more windy than the previous. Once the wind was up, there was no question that Erwin had the best top end speed. Upwind and downwind, Erwin dominated the afternoon session. Nordlie is sailing very well and manage to win one race but, otherwise, he controlled the second spot with Bloom a consistent third.

The plan is to sail New Year's Day, although it will probably be simply pleasure sailing. With high hopes for a 2003 Nationals, the Tonka Nite fleet recognizes it takes more than a fast boat to keep up with the Wisconsin Boys. As such, most of us have "Pewaukee-style " plans for New Year's Eve so nobody is willing to commit to racing on New Year's day.

Long term, we still have a relatively dry forecast. We look forward to more club racing over the weekend. Come join us. The Nite fleet encourages Nite sailors of all abilities to join in the action.

CAUTION: The ice on the main lake of Minnetonka and Upper Tonka is still questionable. Always inspect your sailing area. Anyone who venture out of Wayzata Bay does so at his own peril. None of the Nite sailors are venturing out of Wayzata Bay. The weather remains unseasonably warm. The Minnetonka Water Patrol reports the ice on Tonka is unsafe. We have made very little ice the last few weeks. Numerous accidents and rescues have been reported. Use common sense. Never sail alone.

Colorado Nites:  Who needs skis?

From Konr Beetch 12/30/02:
Got off to an early start about a month ago at Georgetown and now Cherry Creek in Denver is totally frozen black ice. Sailed there 2 weeks ago when only 60% of the lake was frozen but had a great plate of ice to sail on. Sailed Dillon this past weekend as the entire lake is frozen. First few runs were perfect till the wind really began to howl and of course I had the boat set up wrong for those conditions and had to pull over and re-rig the boat. Looking forward to Dillon or Cherry Creek New Year's Day. Sounds like the 'Tonka boys are having a great season so far.

Carlos is Covered (by snow)

From Larry Pearson (#83) 12/31/02:
It sounds like many had great sailing last Sunday. I got out Sunday also and enjoyed some great sailing. Lake Carlos is covered with snow so the best sailing is gone. Still with the great winds on Sunday speeds were pretty good.

Known Ice Conditions

Pewaukee Lake, WI:   Most of west end open.  Large hole on east end by island.  Many cracks.

Lac LaBelle, WI:  5"+ of black ice.  A few cracks and bad spots along the shores.  Fast.

Bantam Lake, CT:  2" - 4" of ice.

Lake Como, WI:  Unknown at this time

Lake Delavan, WI:  Open

Lake Mendota, WI:  Open.

Lake Monona, WI:  Open.

Lake Geneva, WI:  Open.

Green Lake, WI:  Open.

Nagawicka Lake, WI:  Open.

Lake Kegonsa, WI:  Over 6" of ice.  One large crack, one large hole.  Some skinned over small holes.

Lake Minnetonka, MN:  Frozen.  Wayzata Bay very good, main lake still dangerous.

Lake Carlos, MN:  Snow covered.