Central Lakes Region Championships ON!

[KB [us5219]]

Central Lakes Region Championship is Called On for this weekend February 11-12th

Dick Wollum and fellow scouts at GTIYC report Lake Leelanau and Lake Charlevoix are sailed and ready for fun!
Principal site will be Charlevoix (Boyne City). This site was used for our centrals a few years ago. It is close to lodging, food, and entertainment.
The ice is rough near shore, but sailing out a ways there is new ice that forms a hard, smoother cobble-stone-like surface. With the exception of a few rough spots, the bumps are mostly bridged out by the flat of your runners.
Weather could bring snow in on Thursday / Friday but it is anticipated that much of it will blow off the ice.

Tune in tomorrow night for further details on Lodging and Launch

-Kent Baker
Central Lakes Region Rear Commodore IDNIYRA

P.S.
We also are looking for Ice checkers for Houghton Lake. We have a couple that will do it on Friday, but would like to get an earlier report if possible. The size, elevation, and lower snow potential of this site could make this a great backup site - but not an option until checked and sailed.

[KB [us5219]]

We have a very strong prospect for some of the best ice seen this year in the Central Lakes Region.
Higgins Lake, Just to the north of Houghton lake is showing Hockey-grade black ice at 4"+ thickness.  Our scout was alone, and unable to safely go beyond the immedeate launch area, but indicates that this is a very nice launch site with great ice found immedeately at the shore.

Snow and wind forecasts are far more favorable for this area than Charlevoix and a much larger sailing course can be attained.

I will NOT call this as our primary site until carefully sailed tomorrow morning.  So officially, Boyne City is still our primary site.  HOWEVER I am giving this as a heads up to all of you who are hitting the road early.  Check the hotline - often.  And dont drive Past Higgins Lake (Houghton Lake/Grayling)  if you are coming from the south until you hear the final call. 

I apologize for the lack of finality, but hopefully this inconvenience will pay off!

-Kent Baker
Central Lakes Region Rear Commodore

[RANDY ROGOSKI]

Call the Central Region hotline number for official information about the Feb 10 & 11 regatta:

248-988-0851

[sieglege]

Check out the thread
Go Pro Hero HD Camera Rentals at Centrals & North Americans
http://dnamerica.org/forum/index.php?topic=1312.0

[rpotcova]

Report from the ice at Higgans Lake.

8 ranked sailors are set up and sailing now. 1.5" of soft powdery snow fell this morning. Update to follow.
Boyne and Traverse City area got about 5" of snow and is suitable for skiing.

Will update as I get the info.

RP

[KB [us5219]]

Centrals Feb 17th-18th.
Ice Reports will be coming in today for the same areas as last week.
We are looking at 2 or more lakes in the Traverse area, Higgins Lake, and Long Lake (north of Alpena).  Due to weather,this will once again be a late call - probably Friday Morning.

If anybody has additional sites to report that they have checked and sailed please contact me @ k e n t b (at) b e x (dot) net   or call / text at   419 five 0 nine Five 5 two 6

Kent Baker
Central Lakes Region Rear Commodore

[KB [us5219]]

Due to changing conditions and no sailed ice, we are postponing the Central Lakes DN Championships until after the DN North Americans.     There is a strong chance of scrub racing at Lake Leelanau where snow has melted and may form a smooth hard surface.  Check here or on the hotline for details later.

[KB [us5219]]

Scrub Racing ON for south end of lake Leelanau.  Use launch on west shore (West end of East Bingham Road.