“The chief difficulty in iceboating is the utter dependence upon the fickleness of the weather dispenser” Wisconsin State Journal 1918
Via NIYA Chair Tim McCormick:
The NIYA Regatta is cancelled for the 2018 season. Gladstone, MI continues to have a hard crust of snow. Shawano Lake has workable landings but the ice is too rough. Houghton Lake and Higgins Lake have holes. All other sites do not have sufficient landings. With the following weekend being the Easter Holiday, the NIYA Race Committee agreed we should cancel for the season.
The above quote in italics comes from this newspaper article published 100 years ago in 1918, a year when the Northwest was also canceled. In fact, it wasn’t sailed again until 1922. See you on the ice at next year’s Northwest!
After 3 unsuccessful attempts to cross the Arctic Ocean, 3 French sailors are preparing to try again. They’ve spent 4 years building a hybrid catamaran that appears to be able to move across the pack ice. They’ve been testing the boat in Sweden over the last few days. Follow their Facebook page or website here
Boehmke B Skeeters on Green Lake in 2013. Photo: Gretchen Dorian
The International Skeeter Association Championship has been tentatively called ON for March 23-25, 2018. Potential sites include Little Bay de Noc in Gladstone, Michigan and Houghton Lake in Michigan. Final confirmation will be made by noon Wednesday, March 21.
The Northwest Regatta is tentatively called ON for March 23-25. The primary site is Gladstone, MI with Houghton Lake, MI as a secondary site. With all the warm weather this past weekend, we’re getting close! Final determination will be Wednesday, March 21st at Noon CDT.
The Renegade Championship has been postponed. Next update is Sunday, March 18. There’s a possibility that the 2018 Renegade Championship may be sailed even if the ISA cancels for this season. Keep your runners sharp and your trailer in the ready position!
