Long before fiberglass hulls or foiling catamarans, winter sailors found their thrills on frozen rivers. In the 1600s, the Dutch discovered that fitting runners to small boats turned icy canals into swift trade routes. Their descendants brought the idea to the Hudson River, where iceboating became an organized winter sport on the broad stretches offrozen water north of New York City. The boats evolved into sleek designs with strong backbones, bowsprits and wishbone rails. Commodore John A. Roosevelt’s 69-foot 9 Icicle, carrying more than 1,000 square feet ofsail, dominated the Challenge Pennant ofAmerica, the sport’s version ofthe America’s Cup. Speeds eventually topped 100 miles per hour. But as iceboating author Jack Andersen reminded sailors: always check the ice prior to racing. Black ice is the strongest, demanding just 2.5 inches,…
