6 metre sailors take to the ice as a new trophy is born
by Avia Willment 1 Feb 2008 09:56 GMT
25 January 2008
English sailors compete in the inaugural Sweedish Ice Cup using DN ice yachts © Avia Willment
The 25th January saw 6 intrepid English sailors arrive for the inaugural ICE CUP, a new trophy donated by Johan Larson, president of the 6-metre fleet in Sweden. To be raced for annually on the ice in the DN (Detroit News) class, a well-known ice yacht.
Eric (an official from the Swedish ice racing team) was called in to give us a crash course (only Andy Ash-vie from Harken took this literally!) in how to assemble and sail these incredible boats. Basically a canoe on a plank attached to three skates with a mast and sail. No brakes and able to achieve 130 km/hr with very little wind...a certain mindset is required.
With one and a half days of practise before racing, the plan is to master these pocket rockets. There is no component weighing more than 20kg, so they are very easy to assemble. Out onto the ice (which you can see right through) you take the tiller in one hand, the runner in the other, and with the spikes on your feet push/sprint behind the boat, building up momentum to create apparent wind. You quickly jump onto the plank/rear axle, drop into the boat, and sheet on hard to get going.
Crash helmets are essential as tacking requires taking a blow to the head as the boom crosses over and rests almost on your shoulder. In the meantime you are trying to hold up your head so you can see where you are being propelled at great speed, avoiding collisions as the almost arctic sun is shining directly into your eyes, coupled with watching out for the fissures in the ice that you are meant to cross over and not drive down!
On the second day of practise I had almost overcome my fears when Andy ‘Crash-Vie’ spun out breaking the plank and snapping a skate from its mounting. As he nursed the yacht back to the shoreline and informed us of the accident and damage I very quickly took the chance to take on duties as race officer and watch heart in mouth as the rest of my intrepid countrymen and women took on the Swedes. Ben Clothier of Battle Cry took off like Karl Lewis winning the trophy with a 1/1/2. Followed very closely by our host Johan Larson 1/1/3. Who would have thought the Brits would win?!
Wish you were there, Great time had by all!
For further information contact the British Team Coach who just happened to show up lakeside; www.icesailing.org