The early-week ice checks have given us a clearer picture of the current conditions, and unfortunately some of the previously promising sites are now off the list. Here is the latest status:
Iso Lamujärvi & Komujärvi
Current measurements show only 7–8 cm of ice, which is not sufficient for safe racing. These locations are no longer considered viable for the events.
Kemi / Simoniemi
Ice thickness is around 15 cm, but the area has received too much snow, making the surface unsuitable for racing at this time.
Painuanlahti
Ice thickness is approximately 12 cm, with about 3 cm of slush on the surface based on yesterday’s observation. If the events can be held, Painuanlahti is currently the only realistic option.
Our principle race officer Vesa will be on ice tomorrow early afternoon to check the conditions at Painuanlahti. At the moment there is still too much snow but more rain expected this evening. We will be in position to make the “final call” as soon as we receive the report from Vesa – not earlier than tomorrow afternoon.
The next update will be published on Wednesday.
Think ice, stay ready, and let’s hope for favourable conditions! ❄️⛵
Update Nov30
As we head into the new week, we are closely watching whether Monday’s forecasted heavy snowfall will actually materialize. It is important for us to see how much snow the weather system brings, as this will greatly influence the usability of the current ice fields. At this time, we have not yet found a raceable area with ice thicker than 10 cm as of today.
We are actively monitoring several promising locations and working to gather more detailed ice reports:
- Iso Lamujärvi – Current estimates suggest around 10 cm of ice. We are seeking more precise measurements.
- Komujärvi – Appears to have solid ice with at least 8 cm thickness. Additional information is on the way.
- Jaalanganlahti (eastern shore) – Measurements show 8 cm of black ice + 4 cm of refrozen slush ice.
- Kemi / Simoniemi (east of Kemi) – There may be sufficiently thick ice in this area, and we are working to obtain updated data.
We will provide the next report on Tuesday evening.
Stay tuned, keep your runners sharp, and think ice! ❄️⛵
Update Nov28
Next week looks surprisingly warm. There isn’t much new ice forming but old ice areas might be soon clear of snow. We will gather all the available information during the weekend. Next announcement will be made latest on Sunday evening.
Update Nov24
Dear ice sailing enthusiasts, it’s time to tune into race mode! Early December is bringing speed, crisp cold, and possibly the best ice sailing conditions before Christmas – a perfect setup for the first starts of the winter.
Join Us for Itsenäisyysregatta Weekend – a combination of:
Johnny Köhler Cup – 5th December
Itsenäisyysregatta – 6–7 December
At the moment, the lakes in Central Finland are covered with promising thin ice. We are monitoring the situation closely, and the most potential lakes for the competitions are Alajärvi, Iso Lamujärvi, and Painuanlahti. Next week is forecast to bring several days of freezing temperatures, which will strengthen the ice. After that, a brief warm spell is expected – followed by another freeze right before the races. All signs point toward excellent conditions for the race weekend!
A more detailed update will come toward the end of next week, once the cold spell has passed and the ice situation becomes clearer.
Accommodation – register soon!
We are planning manor-style accommodation for competitors on one of the lakes. To secure the venue and size the arrangements correctly, we kindly ask everyone considering participation to register as soon as possible.
Registration: Johnny Köhler Cup & Itsenäisyysregatta
Let’s kick off the season in style – bring a big and enthusiastic fleet to the ice and raise your sails in honor of Independence Day! Invite your fellow sailors and let’s make this the highlight of the late season.
Sharpen your runners, think ice! ❄️⛵*
