In early February, the ice boats could be seen on the Navesink River near Red Bank, for the first time in eleven years. The extremely cold temperatures and high wind chill allowed the river to freeze thick enough for it to support the boats. Ice boats are modified sailboats that use steel runners to allow them to glide over the ice. The runners actually melt a small area of ice, allowing the boats to move smoothly, as it is near frictionless. Ice boats are powered by wind, and can regularly exceed 60 miles an hours, sometimes reaching speeds between 80 – 100 mph. These boats were originally used by colonial Dutch settlers as transportation, up and down the Hudson River. Ice boating began as a sport in the early 1800s, when many wealthy devotees built and raced boats. The Van Nostrand Cup, a race between ice boat crews from the North Shrewsbury Ice Boat and Yacht Club and the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club, was held on February 9th. The race marked only the fifth match since the race was founded in 1886 by Gardiner Van Nostrand, a wealthy Hudson River ice boat owner. The trophy, crafted by Tiffany & Co. is considered as one of the sport’s most prestigious prizes. The race is held in a best-of-three style. Hudson River won two of the three. This win marks the first time the cup has left New Jersey since its inception.