Nite News 1/07/04

Another Slow Week (Except up North)

Those warm temps that gave us a brown Christmas and kept open our lakes quickly gave way to a front that brought deep cold and snow to Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan - again potentially ending iceboating for some period of time.  However, those lucky enough to live close to Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota got some fantastic sailing in.  Their report follows.

From Mike Bloom (#535) 1/5/04:
The Tonka Nite Fleet had some fun days of sailing over the New Year's holiday. Unfortunately, no racing occurred due to rough ice. Nevertheless, lots of sailors enjoyed "cruising" the lower lake. As always, Don Knutson earns the early bird award and was sailing the lake long before most of us had our boats out of the barn. Knutson noted that this was the forth week in a row (!) that he has sailed his Nite.

A special thanks to Peter Slocum for bringing his axe so that we could chop down the pressure ridge off of Spirit Island. The ridge had prevented access to the main lake from Wayzata Bay. With the ridge gone, Mike Bloom, Dan Buessing, Stephen Lange and Peter Slocum (sailing with Conner Slocum) were able to join Harry Allen (sailing with daughter Mary Allen) as we toured the Northhome Shore and then headed up to Cottagewood, past Greenwood and into Excelsior Bay. There, we blew by Kitty Cochran who was on the ice setting up her DN. Others, such as L. Hester and Judd Dayton chose to remain in Wayzata Bay fearing that the dying wind could mean a long push home.

We look forward to the Nite Nationals scheduled for January 24 and 25, 2004. Even the Tonka sailors want a chance at besting the reigning Nite National Champ, Terry Erwin!!!

Please note the following tentative regatta dates:

2003 Unofficial Nite World Championship (Postponed)
2004 ISA:  January 16-18
2004 Nite Nationals:  January 24-25

If you have any information on Nites in your area, please email the webmaster and it will get on the site.  Think ICE!!