An ice boat, or iceboat, is a boat fitted with skis or runners and built to travel over ice in much the same way that sailboats do on the water. Today, used mainly as racing vehicles, modern iceboats are supported by skate-like steel runners which enable them to hold the ice at high speed.
Traveling over ice by boat was firstly undertaken for the purpose of transporting goods and equipment. The first recorded ice sailing for pleasure or sport took place in Europe, and the use of iceboats for commercial purposes soon died altogether.
Most iceboats are built for one person only. There are different classes of the iceboat, the most well-known being the International DN class and the Skeeter class. Distinctions between classes are determined primarily by size and mast height.
People have done a lot to significantly reduce friction(摩擦) aerodynamically(空气动力学地). The runners are angled in such a way as to counter the lateral force of the wind on the sails. Once a certain level of force has been reached, the iceboat is pushed forward with such force that it actually goes faster than the wind.
High speed and cruel weather can combine to create a dangerous environment. This has led to the adoption of a set of strict rules and guidelines that all who engage in ice yachting, sailing, or racing are expected to be familiar with and follow at all times.
A. Safety is a very high priority.
B. They are of great use in colder places.
C. However, there are larger boats designed for two or more.
D. The newly designed iceboat can reach extremely high speeds.
E. Therefore, people are very cautious when using an ice boat.
F. The earliest iceboats were patterned after traditional sailboats.
G. The only exception to this was their use in transporting lighthouse workers during the winter.
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