Iceboating and the olympics

[brian.cunningham]

With the current games coming up, I was wondering why iceboating is not in the olympics.
I found an interesting article while researching.
http://www.outdoors.mainetoday.com/enjoyingwinter/030202iceboats.shtml
http://www.outdoors.mainetoday.com/enjoyingwinter/iceboats150.jpg

[Thorne]

I strongly suspect that it takes FAR too extreme of weather conditions, not predictable by location or date.

Also would need one HECK of a big Zamboni!

;- )

[Bruce Hooke]

That is a good article. There are some funny lines, especially near the end.

I suspect another issue with adding iceboating to the Olympics is that I doubt it is established in enough countries around the world for it to meet the standards of the IOC. I know the standards on that count are lower for winter sports than summer sports, but still, iceboating takes such specialized conditions that it really only makes sense in a relatively small number of countries (which would also make it even harder to find locations to hold the Olympics).

[Bruce Hooke]

By the way, for anybody interested in iceboating who did not see the article in WoodenBoat last winter (I don't remember exactly which issue it was in) -- you owe it to yourself to get your hands on that issue. It was, in my humble opinion, one of the most entertaining articles WoodenBoat has ever published. It captured very well the "living on the edge" and "whatever it takes to find good ice" attitudes the appear to me to be an integral part of the iceboating culture!

[gert]

There is a short video from Canada Film Board called "Black Ice" that is well worth watching, Sends chills down your spine cause it realy gives a feel of just how fast your moving at 4" off the ice.

[Cuyahoga Chuck]

Brian,
The quick answer is iceboats need vast expances of pristine snow-free ice without any dangerous thin spots. As far as I know only Mother Nature can produce it. And, as we know, she isn't inclined to conform to the timetables of man.
Charlie

[Popeye]

how come there ain't no men's synchronized swimming ?



http://www.consumer.gov/weightloss/images/ballet1.jpg

[brian.cunningham]

popeye, if you want to try out, I'll post the vid on the forum :D