Happy...Yes. Spring...No So Much.

Good Morning, it is February 1, 2014.
All the best from Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

NOAA Photo

As of this morning, there are six months and six days until (187 Days) until the first day of measuring for the WMJs at the 2014 North American Championships. This morning, we are having our February organizational meeting where we are going to be discussing:

• The Electronic Registration Form and the included credit card payment option.

• The menu and the costs for the daily 'on water' lunches that will be available at the club every

   morning.

• Updates on the boat and car parking plans.

• Additional thinking about RV parking options.

• The registration packages and the regatta program.

• Guest charge privileges. 

• The on-site sportswear and regatta equipment provider arrangements.

• Options to open the harbor with explosives should the ice not have melted by August.

Faude Photo

The above photo was taken during some recent through-ice recovery training by the local fire rescue team. (News flash: They did not locate the rudder I lost just about right there during the Brotz Regatta of 1997.)

Yes, Polar Vortex and Son of Polar Vortex (PV-II) have been through these parts and they remind properly-aged people of 1978 when we used to have...winters like this. We're told that Lake Michigan is now approximately 45% frozen. But we can still see open water from the Sheboygan Yacht Club Bar. It's blue and liquid and we could probably plane across it for about 3 minutes before requiring a hot toddy and a head examination.  If anything, the lake is quieter than usual. There is no sound of breaking waves because the ice shelf extends a ways out toward the race course.

This is all to say that we are NOT letting this winter slow us down!! Our outstanding team of volunteers will be out in force this morning. We've been joined by one more VERY important member who you will meet in my next blog post. We're excited for this weather to reverse itself and welcome you at the 2014 Lightning North Americans in just, lets see... 4,488 short hours from now. Whew, that is right around the corner. I recommend you go out to the garage and check your trailer light connection right this minute.