Ice yachts are small, usually only for one person, and can reach substantial speeds (over 100 km/h). Ice sailing began in Europe in the mid 17th century, and ice yachts were long the fastest vehicle known.
There are usually three skate blades supporting a triangular or cross-chaped frame, covered with colorful aerodynamic skins. Most ice-yachts are rigged as sloops, though only the larger classes have jibs. Smaller boats steer the front skate, while larger ones have a rear rudder skate.
Ice boats move about five times as fast as the wind, with larger boats moving faster than smaller. Small boats can easily achieve 100kph (60mph), while larger boats (such as the DN class) can easily exceed 170KPH (100mph).
Regattas are held regularily, including world championships. The most widespread class is the International DN, which was the winning design of a competition held by the "Detroit News" newspaper in 1936.
A problem in the U.S. is that it simply isn't cold enough to skate on lakes more than four to six weekends a year. However, the sport is so exciting that most practitioners say they treasure the time on the ice.
In the U.S. there are active ice-regattas on the great lakes from Detroit, MI, and Lake Winnipesaukee of New Hampshire.