Nite News 1/14/02

Nites on Pewaukee
by Fred Miller - Nite #371

The PIYC Nite fleet scheduled its weekend club races on Lac Labelle (Oconomowoc, WI) for the weekend of 1/12-13.  Sunday's races were cancelled due to lack of wind, but Saturday saw the full range of breezes as the fleet got in five great races.

The first race saw 16 boats line up on the starting line with the wind blowing from the northwest at 20-25mph.  The racing area was on the north end of the lake and featured a large racing area of hard, black ice.  Tom Sweitzer (#272) showed how fast his new light(?) air sail was by winning the first three races.  Craig Adams (#120), Chuck Kotovic (#373) and Rick Kotovic (#414) chased Tom around but could not catch him before the fleet broke for lunch.

The afternoon races saw gradually diminishing breezes and some changes in the fleet finishes.  Chuck Kotovic won race four to break Tom's dominance, but Sweitzer quickly recovered to win race five.  One scrub race was run for those who decided to stick around after the official racing was completed.  Craig Adams got a lead on Tom Sweitzer early and held him off for the win.

Keep checking the web site as standings will be available for the PIYC fleet soon.

Nites on Lake Waubesa
by Dustin J. Whitehorse
(From the 4LIYC Web Site)

The morning started out as a bust. The northwest wind was howling at 17 to 25mph across the glass like smooth, hard ice. After a few test runs the Renegades and DNs decided to call it a day citing safety and equipment durability concerns. The Nite Fleet discussed their options and decided to give racing a chance. Since my fellow DNers packed it up for the day, I decided to help out Chief Judge Greg Simon. The course was set and the wind was up and the flag was dropped on the first of five (4 club races and 1 scub race) Nite races.

For more click here.

Nites on Minnetonka
by Mike Bloom - Nite #535

Minnesota Nite sailors had another great weekend of sailing on Tonka. The smooth hard ice and big winds (20mph+) continued to provide excellent racing conditions. Terry Irwin always manages to crank up the speed in big winds and dominated all of the races. Slocum and Bloom took turns finishing in the number two spot. Lots of boats were dusted off including a guest appearance by ILYA Commodore David Ferguson! 

Unfortunately, our never ending mantra to "Think Ice" has apparently been ignored. Tonka saw 4 to 6 inches of snow last night. We are probably done until spring. Still, if you were willing to put a few miles on your car, we had an awesome run of 8 weekends in a row of boatable ice in Minnesota! 

A Note from our Northern Brothers

Dear Dr. Splash:

I'm new to the Nite Fleet. Just got an older Nite that sat in a barn for 13 years. Man is it dirty. Would any of the older, more experienced sailors know of a fast way to wash the boat -- especially on the inside?

Thanks -- Northern Rookie

P.S. Dying to get my feet wet in the Nite fleet.

Dr. Splash - Tom Sweitzer (#272) thought his boat needed washing out too, so two weekends ago he drove his through a low spot crossing a heave.  The boat is squeaky clean now.  On the inside too!

Reports and Photos Needed!

The INCA web site needs more reports and photos.  Please contact the web guy on how to get more stuff here.

Known Ice Conditions

Green Bay (Menomonee, MI):  No report.

Pewaukee Lake:   Frozen.  Mostly rough with many bad heaves.  Snow covered.

Nagawicka Lake:  Frozen.  Snow covered.

Lake Geneva:  No report.

Delavan Lake:  Frozen. Snow covered

Lake Como:  Frozen.  Snow covered.

Green Lake:  Open.

Lake Mendota:  Unsafe at this time.

Lake Monona:  Unsafe at this time

Lake Kegonsa:  Frozen. Snow covered.

Lake Wingra:  Frozen.  Snow covered.

Lake Waubesa:  Frozen.  Snow covered.

Lake Minnetonka, MN:  Snow covered.

Lake Winnebago - Fond du Lac:  Frozen.  Snow covered.

Cherry Creek, CO:  Frozen.  Fast ice.