Nite News 1/28/03

Secretary Note

The web site has not been updated for the past two weeks since I was vacationing on the beautiful north Island of New Zealand.  The only drawback (albeit a small one) is that the climate is too warm for iceboating.  I guess nothing's perfect.  Now, for the news you've been waiting for ....

Terry Erwin Wins Nite Nationals

From Tom Sweitzer (#272) 1/28/03:
The 2003 Nite National Championship Regatta was held January 25th and 26th on Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. 29 boats entered, a good turnout considering the number of people who couldn't make it for one reason or another. The east end of Lake Geneva provided near ideal conditions with a large sheet of hard, black ice, 10 to 20 mph winds and moderate temperatures, at least on Saturday. John Ritter, our race officer and class boat builder, ran off 5 great races without a hitch.

Terry Erwin and Tom Nordlie proved to have speed to burn and pretty much dominated the days racing with Tom winning 3 races and Terry finishing in the top 3 every race. Tom Sweitzer won the third race to prevent a Minnesota sweep while Mark Prange, Rick Wilfert and Chuck and Rick Kotovic all had good finishes. Scott Brown, sailing the cow boat, Daisy, had it hoofing along quite well until she came up lame in one race and was corralled with a DNF. Everyone agreed that Saturday's racing was as good as it gets. Those who stayed in town Saturday night enjoyed the comradery that typically follows a long day on the ice and a little time at the bar. Erwin won there too!

Sunday brought an end to racing with temperatures that never really gave us a chance to do anything but take the boats apart and head to Skinney's for the trophy presentation and congratulations all around. In the end, Terry Erwin won, followed by Tom Nordlie in second and Tom Sweitzer in third. You can see the final race results and standings posted somewhere on this site. Thanks to all who attended and helped out. See you at the ISA.

Tons of Tonka Sailing

From Mike Bloom (#535) 1/23/03:
Today is January 22, 2003. Lake Minnetonka remains very unstable. Despite a week of sub zero whether, two large holes, each approximately two acres in size, have suddenly appeared out in the main lake.

Tragically, a car with two teenagers drove into one of the holes Tuesday night. The accident occurred near the mouth of Robinson's Bay. The local water patrol has now recovered both bodies.

Adding to the confusion of the rescue operation was a second car found during the search and rescue operation. The second car also drove into the open water but the occupants were able to escape to safety.

Please remind everyone that the ice on the main lake of Minnetonka simply is not safe. Slocum, Kresbaugh and I had sailed past Robinson's Bay several times just a few days before. In fact, this was on of the few places out on the main lake where we had little concern. Since then, the weather has dropped some 20 to 30 degrees. It is beyond comprehension how such a large hole can open with below zero temps and little wind.

Lesson to be followed: Always inspect your sailing area. Never sail alone.

The Lake Minnetonka Water Patrol reports the ice on Tonka is too unstable to be considered safe. Numerous accidents and rescues have been reported. Use common sense.

From Mike Bloom (#535) 1/17/03:
I know it is starting to sound like a broken record but the Tonka Nite Fleet enjoyed yet another great day of racing on Saturday January 11, 2003 in Wayzata Bay. The near zero temperature did not prevent the Nites from sailing 8 races on smooth, fast, hard ice. The wind was moderate so most everyone sailed their full sails and played around with different battens. Nordlie was far and away the fastest with Slocum, Bloom and Irwin hot on his transom.

Sunday we wimped out due to the low temps. Unfortunately, no sooner did we blow of the races and leave the lake then the temperature shot up some 20 degrees.

The forecast looks dry so we plan on doing it again the weekend of January 18 and 19, 2003. Our primary venue remains Wayzata Bay. As always, the Tonka Nite fleet encourages sailors of all abilities to join us on the starting line.

Word of Caution: Stay off the main lake!!! On Saturday, many folks graciously helped recover a skeeter that went thru the ice. Yes, there were injuries. The main lake of Minnetonka simply is not safe.

From Mike Bloom (#535) 1/9/03:
Last Sunday December 5, 2003 the Tonka Nite fleet sailed 7 club races on Wayzata Bay. Scott Brown ruled the day with blazing downwind speed.

This week's 50 degree days are now past us and we have returned to normal winter temps. The warm weather, however, only made the great ice even better. To honor the occasion, Commodore Slocum has declared Friday December 10, 2003 a National Holiday. As such, anyone who can get out of work early is encouraged to join Slocum, Bloom and Nordlie for a rare Friday afternoon session of club racing.

We also expect club racing all weekend, December 11 and 12, 2003. Primary race site is Lower Tonka, most likely Wayzata Bay. The main lake still remains questionable. Launching is off the public beach next to the Boatworks in Wayzata Bay or near MYC at the Cottagewood fire lane next to Harry Allen's home.

This is our 8th week in a row of sailing in Minnesota. The lake is chock full of ice boats! We are enjoying a spectacular run of ice. Come join us as we tune up for the Nite National. The Tonka Nite fleet encourages Nite sailors of all abilities to join in the action.

Pewaukee Ice Scary

From Robert Borkowski - 1/23/03:
I don't know if I have good luck (not falling in), or bad luck (every time I'm sailing, someone falls in). We are all glad nobody was hurt or worse. The sailors and equipment are safe, but the impact was hard enough to snap the tiller!

Kidding aside, this sailing season has been unusual. Having had several conversations with several Pewaukee ice fishermen Saturday, nobody has ever see the ice / lake like this. The eastern half of Pewaukee Lake still had large holes of open water on the January, 19th. The 20' x 60' Swiss cheese hole that Vamoose went into was frozen over with about a 1/2 inch of ice when they went through. For more details read www.thelakecountryreporter.com - Monday January 20, 2003.

Ice Boat Etiquette

From Jane Pagel - 1/17/03:

Attention ice boaters:

Please be gracious to the ice fishermen.

Do not run over their tip ups and give them a wide berth or sail by them slowly. If you accidentally sail over a tip up, swing around and offer to buy a replacement. The fisherman will appreciate it.

And be sure to graciously share with them the ice access ramp and parking area.

If you treat the fishermen with respect, they will respond with respect for you.

If you are rude to the fishermen, they will throw nails out in front of your boat, and every other boat. They can also swing a mean spud bar if you don't pay attention.

They're nice guys and because they pay for a fishing license, they have more influence with the DNR than we do.

See ya on the ice
Jane Pegel

Known Ice Conditions

Pewaukee Lake, WI:  Frozen with small snow drifts.  West end split by large crack.  East end rough with one large hole.

Lac LaBelle, WI:  Frozen.  Somewhat rough but being checked for possible sailing on 2/1.

Bantam Lake, CT:  Unknown.

Lake Como, WI:  Unknown.

Lake Delavan, WI:  Unknown.

Lake Mendota, WI:  Frozen.  8" - 10" of hard ice.  Large areas of good sailing.

Lake Monona, WI:  8" - 10" of hard ice with some bumps.  West end has some small holes.

Lake Geneva, WI:  Frozen.  Good sailing conditions.

Green Lake, WI:  Frozen.  Many areas with holes.

Nagawicka Lake, WI:  Unknown

Lake Kegonsa, WI:  Frozen.  Very rough with holes.

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

Lake Carlos, MN:  Snow covered.