Nite News 3/8/05

2005 ISA Report (#1)
By Scott Brown (#559)

The ISA was a last minute thing -- didn't leave Minneapolis until late Friday evening so I had already missed the first race. Saturday had no wind and slush. No racing. And after Madison's fiasco, I have my own new two-push rule. The first one at the starting line, and the second one to the pits.

The race I did sail on Sunday more was interesting because the conditions were changing rapidly. As we tuned up before the race, the wind was blowing 10-15, possibly more. The ice had re-frozen so it was fast and chippy. But as we started, the wind was falling and the ice was softening. The upwinds were fast, but the downwinds were tricky -- one greedy squeeze down the lake and you were toast. It was a jostling match between Mark Prange, Dick Grota, Lou Lonneke, Brett Larson and myself. I had great upwind speed with a full sail, minimal bend on stiff battens, tight side stays and a forward mast.

I started the second race Sunday morning, but by then it was a splash fest. Did everything I could to put shape in the sail, but the downwinds were death. When I jibed and immediately stopped, I headed home. I actually pushed back to the trailer, loaded the boat myself and was off the ice before the Nite fleet got back from their race.

All-in-all, the judges did a great job getting it in. It was fun to see all the various boats, but I have to admit I don't like sailing in slush.

2005 ISA Report (#2)
By Brett Larson (#37)

The ageless wonder, Lou Lonneke (#72) (started iceboating in 1961), took the 2005 Nite ISA, using the boats original sail in the first race Friday, and the second race Sunday, in the softening conditions. He had a borrowed Gluek "flat" sail for Sundays early race on firmer ice and puffy conditions. The leaders in that race all were hiked up at the top mark and peeling downwind.

Brett Larson (#37) came on strong Sunday after Fridays frustrating race by continuing to use his 1990 (old Sweitzer) sail and switching to his (Sweitzer) flat side runners. He also had equipment problems (two blocks ripped up from the deck) in the 2nd lap of last race, but still held on for the win.

After a very strong, left them in the dust, 1st race Friday, John Weiss (#552) and Ken Wruk (#554), had difficulties in the changing conditions Sunday, but held on for 3rd and 4th.

Dick Gota (#60), after a slow start Friday (10th), realigned his runners early Sunday AM with a hammer borrowed from Scott Brown and finished strong for a 5th overall.

And Scott Brown (#559 Betsy), who traveled the farthest and arrived for Saturdays "wait and push home fest", took the first race Sunday after lead changes with Larson, but struggled when the ice turned to mush.

Friday was shifty medium to light breeze with softening ice. Saturday with a delayed start due to heavy fog (but breeze), turned to clearing skies and dying wind. Sundays early start (8:30) had firm ice and strong wind for two races (C's and Nites), but clear sunny skies quicly softened the ice but all classes completed 3 races! Then the mad dash to get boats off the ice before (and while) the landings deteriorated, but fun for all!

Click here for the 2005 ISA Results

Please note the following tentative regatta dates:

2005 Nite Nationals:  TBA but SOON!