2013 North-American Ice Boating Tour: Central Regatta

For the second year in a row, we held our Central Lakes Region Championship Regatta in the time between Christmas and New Years Holidays. It wasn't looking to favorable with thin ice reported everywhere. Boats were sailing on last years site - Lake Missaukee, but it was reported to be a small plate of ice and many ice-fishermen all over the place.
As luck would have it - Glen Betzoldt, from Sand Lake, MI was up sailing Thursday at Lake Missaukee and thought he would have a look at Houghton Lake on his way home. He called me from the ice and said "Hey I think its good here!" Unfortunately, it was getting dark, and I was not about to call a regatta on new unsailed ice. Glen could hear my pessimism, an offered to stay the night to give a thorough check in the morning. (Glen did not plan to stay overnight and did not have a change of clothes or toothbrush for that matter!).
I was not feeling well. Captain Cough was back. I was of the mindset just to save us all the trouble and cancel the 2012 Centrals for good. I looked at the box of shiny new trophies - the date of 2012 stamped clearly on each plaque. I breathed a sigh and said to myself: "We can do this"!
My friends from Rhode Island, "T" (who incidentally gave me my "Captain Cough" nickname last year in Sweden) and Ollie were well on their way. Their plan was to go to the Grand Slam regatta in Madison, WI unless I had something else closer for them. After calling them and describing to them what was going on, they made the decision to take a right-turn at Toledo, Ohio and meet Glen on Houghton Lake Friday morning to do an ice check.
9AM - I get the phone call. The sound of track shoes crunching on hard ice was predominant as "T" exclaims "Hey Baker What the $%^ were you thinking there's nothing but water up here on this lake!!" Well I wasn't fooled. I heard the crunch of the spikes, and knew the weather was cold. And most of all I trust the word of Glen, an accomplished ice scout for the Toledo group. I could hardly talk as I had taken an extra dose of NyQuil just 3 hours earlier and my throat was full of nastiness. Regardless it was time to rally the troops!
Rich, Jody, and Myself could not get anyone else to tag along. The JMJ sailing team (the newbies John, Mike, and Jon came separate, as well as the Duo of Reis and Holman.
Upon arrival at the hotel, I got our room cards and went straight to the Bar where I found the usual suspects from Grand Traverse Ice Yacht Club already gathered. I was able to collect regatta fees there and get several sign-ups completed. After 10PM the registration was officially closed, and I headed to the room. Everyone else went to the pool and hot tub. The warm moist air might have felt good on the lungs, but i knew my body couldn't handle the dehydration of the hot tub. Instead I took advantage of the windless clear night to go outside and rig my boat. It was the first time I rigged at night, and it was surprisingly comfortable on my bare hands with no wind. It was definitely a good move as I knew I would be busy trying to organize a regatta in the morning.
6AM time to get some breakfast. Leisurely chats with some other sailors, then off to get ready. I put up the sail and runners on the boat. Then I make rounds collecting fees and signing people up. Its kind of fun to see everyone right away. The wind is too light to sail, and our scorekeeper, Loretta is not on site yet. So all is good.
The wind begins to increase around 11 AM. And we start moving equipment out to the course. We have no 4-wheelers to use due to the ice being too thin for heavier equipment, so everything (including personnel) must be carried out there.
Racing commenced an hour late around Noon. Wind was light to medium and sailing was pretty easy. Perfect for early season racing while some peoples skills need some sharpening.
We had 4 races for each of the Gold and Silver Fleets, and managed to do that with only 2 course changes when the wind shifted for about a half hour, then promptly went back to where it started.
Back at the hotel, it was clear that we overwhelmed the kitchen. Food was late and dry or overcooked. Waitresses confused their orders, but we are a fun group. Keep the drinks flowing and a positive attitude. Life is good!

6AM Breakfast Again. Sitting with "T" and coffee there is lots of laughs and stories shared over instant scrambled eggs and recently-frozen sausage patties. My hope is to get the regatta going earlier today. We are not on time for the 10AM goal, but we still manage to get 3 races off.
It is stickier, dry snow today and the wind is up just a little bit. The first race of the day I get my best finish, a 3rd! I even caught up to the leaders a few times (though just for a little bit). Once finished, I thought I must have my tuning dialed in and didn't need to change anything, even if it was a struggle to keep the boat down. WRONG! the following races, were both 12th places. I probably would have been okay if I had moved my plank forward, but lack of mast bend was putting me out of contention in the sticky conditions and puffy breeze. Oh well, its all about learning right?
Back at the hotel I quickly put away the boat, and run inside to organize for the awards. Its always tough to have awards quick enough after a regatta as many head home right away.
All who stayed had a great time enjoying pizza and beer specials (and much better service than the night before). Our group stayed perhaps a bit too long, but had nothing special planned at home anyway.
This regatta is DONE!!! Stay tuned for the 2013 Central Lakes Regatta at a lake in Michigan or Ohio near you!

Results: http://iceboatracing.com/2012centrals.pdf
Congrats to Ron Sherry for winning the Centrals, and to Hal Bowman for taking Silver Fleet honors!