Ice Boat Racers: Meet the Frozen Lake Warriors

[DGUtley]

Ice Boat Racers: Meet the Frozen Lake Warriors

We brave the elements at the Ice Boat championship on Michigan’s Lake Charlevoix, where racers continue a tradition that’s been around since 1800s.


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It’s Wednesday at 1:15 p.m., and we’re frantically refreshing a web page for an event update, 15 minutes later than recently promised and four days later than originally planned. It’s not details on a surprise concert or music festival – instead, we are looking for the location of this year’s North American Ice Boat championship. Approximately 100 competitors are also anxious to find out the spot so they can lug their ice boats to a frozen lake for two days of non-stop racing. At last the details appear: We’re heading to Charlevoix, Michigan.


Ice boats – miniature sailboats with three metal blades called runners – have been around since the 19th Century, and modern enthusiasts of the winter sport (officially called “ice yachting”) gather at various frozen lakes around the U.S. every year when “hard water” sites are available.


Arriving at the launch site on Lake Charlevoix, competitors unload their ice boats off trucks and affix their runners. Meanwhile, ice inspectors drill into the frozen lake to ensure it’s safe to race on; optimal race conditions are very specific, and wind is one of the most important factors.



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[carolina73]

I had the opportunity to ice boat a couple of times. Lot's of fun. But a little like being a kid riding a gig down a very steep road as a kid. We were cramped in a little area steering with ropes attached to the front skate. Don't hit anything or capsize or it is gonna hurt at near 50 mph.

[Collateral Damage]

While growing up in NJ, often went to the grandparent's house on Greenwood Lake (NJ/NY). Skating for us youngins, but we watched the ice boat races. The crack of the ice would thunder across the lake and send everybody fleeing including the ice boaters.

Hot chocolate at the boathouse while yer toes defrosted.