Nite News 12/31/03

Warm Temps Hamper Early Season Action

Warm temperatures have kept most Nite sailors off the ice so far this year except in Minnesota where snow has slowed sailing but warm temperatures have also cleared the way for some great conditions on the weekend following the New Year's holiday. 

On Lake Minnetonka, some racing and cruising has occurred.  Scott Brown (#559) reports the surface is "safe and smooth. The snow melted last week, and we've had only a dusting since. Guys are sailing from Excelsior to Wayzata which is extremely rare." 

Pewaukee Lake froze early in December and some clubs races were sailed during the weekend of 12/27-12/28.  The ice surface was very smooth with one avoidable hole on the west end.  Breezes were light on Saturday and hard on Sunday.  Nine boats raced Saturday with Tom Sweitzer (#272) and Tom Wilfert (#503) looking good - each winning two races.  Turnout was light due to the holiday weekend so we expect more boats on the ice in the coming weeks.  However, we may be done for awhile since very warm temperatures (mid 40's) and heavy winds have opened holes and widened cracks.  The ice will have to be rechecked before more races are sailed.

Pewaukee Ice Yacht Club held its 2002/2003 trophy banquet and 2003 fall meeting on December 18, 2003 at the Five O' Clock Club in Pewaukee.  Over 25 members attended the party with awards handed out to the top five finishers in the 2002 Saturday series, 2003 Saturday series, and 2003 Sunday series.  Tom Sweitzer (#272) was the 2003 Overall Champion.  New officers were elected as follows:

Fred Weber (#303) - Commodore
Tom Wilfert (#503) - Vice-Commodore
Fred Miller (#371) - Secretary/Treasurer

Madison, WI area sailors (Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club) have done some fun sailing on their local lakes.  No official races as of yet as ice conditions have not stabilized enough.  Recent warm temperatures have also delayed sailing in the four lakes region.

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!!