[Governor3]

The 2024 Nenana Ice Classic
We're here again in sunny, frigid Nenana, Alaska for another round of slow melting ice action!

Back in 1917 a group of cold, bored railroad engineers in scenic Nenana, Alaska put $800 into a pool, betting as to when the ice in the frozen Tanana river would break up. Did I mention they were cold and bored? Well, the pool was a hit, boredom was averted and a new tradition was born.

The river usually freezes over sometime during the months of October and November. The ice continues to get thicker throughout the winter - with the average thickness being about 42” by April 1st. Depending on the temperature, snow cover, wind, etc., the ice may freeze slightly more and then finally start to melt. The ice melts both from the top due to weather conditions and from the bottom due to the water flow.

To determine an official ice melting time, each year the town erects a tripod on the frozen river. The tripod is planted two feet into the Tanana River ice between the highway bridge and the railroad bridge at Nenana, just upriver from the Nenana River tributary. It is set 300 feet from shore and is connected to a clock that stops when the ice goes out - and when the clock stops the official time is declared!

Last year, the ice melted on May 8th at 4:01pm
- in 2022 it happened on May 2nd at 6:47pm
- in 2021 it happened April 30th at 12:50pm
- in 2020 it was on April 27th at 12:56pm
- in 2019 it happened on April 14th at 12:21am - the earliest melt on record
The latest recorded ice melt on record was eleven years ago on May 20th at 2:41pm!


The complete record from 1917 onward is available here for your edification and ice melt handicapping pleasure - just click the thumbnail:

So - think you can guess the correct time and day for 2024?

What is it?
A contest where you'll guess the exact time the ice on the Tanana River melts, as determined by when the official tripod erected on the ice moves 100 feet downriver.

It will cost you 25 WRZ$ to join the pool - but if you guess correctly - you'll win big!

DISCLAIMER: YOU CAN LOSE WRZ$ PLAYING THIS GAME

How do you play?
To enter this contest, you will need to post both your guess as to the time and date the ice will melt along with the following:
"I’m in and I’ve paid my 25 WRZ$ entry fee!"
(You must pay your bet amount to the The Honest Bookie @ SportsCenter.)

How?
Click on the Honest Bookie icon then click the 'donate' button.
Then, complete a transfer of of (25 WRZ$) per entry to SportsCenter and The Honest Bookie will hold your bet for you.
Meet the Honest Bookie - - now that's an honest face!

Post Example
I'm in!
I've paid my 25 WRZ$ to the Honest Bookie and I believe the ice will break on:
April 20th at 4:20pm

Rules
This year you can enter up to THREE (3) time/day bets - just note that each bet requires a 25 WRZ$ deposit to the Honest Bookie.
Entries can be submitted on different days as long as they are made before the close of the deadline.
You cannot enter a time/day that was previously selected.
If no one guesses the exact minute, the next closest guess on either side of the exact minute will be the winning time.
If you don't pay the Honest Bookie, your entry will be ignored
Time/date predictions are based on Alaska Standard Time [UTC -9:00]
Bets will be accepted only up to April 15th at 6:00pm Alaska Standard Time [UTC -9:00]
If the ice melts before April 15th at 6:00pm UTC -9:00 the contest is a scratch and your WRZ$ will be refunded.
No changes to a player's posted guess will be permitted!

Rewards
The winner will be the person who comes closest to the official time and day declared by the organizers of the Nenana Ice Classic and will receive a whopping 1,500 WRZ$! (Cool )
The two next closest guessers on either side of the official time will each receive 500 WRZ$
Two random entries will be selected from among those posted and will receive 250 WRZ$ each
So - there are five chances to win in all!
*** The Honest Bookie has generously chosen to sweeten the pot for big, big payouts***

Oh - for those of you still reading - just like we did last time, if you feel like posting some different amusing ways one might pass the time in Nenana while waiting for the ice to melt - well, ole Gov might just get frisky with a spot bonus here and there I can't wait to see what you maniacs come up with this year!

Interested in learning more about the grand tradition of the Nenana Ice Classic?
Thinking of moving to Nenana yourself?
Go HERE to learn more.

[Fatima99]

I'm in!
I've paid my 25 WRZ$ to the Honest Bookie and I believe the ice will break on:
April 29th at 3:08pm

[Biblioholic]

I've paid my 25 WRZ$ to the Honest Bookie and I believe the ice will break on:
May 4th at 13:11am

[peaceableone]

I'm in!
I've paid my 25 WRZ$ to the Honest Bookie and I believe the ice will break on:
April 26th at 6:47pm

I'm in!
I've paid my 25 WRZ$ to the Honest Bookie and I believe the ice will break on:
April 30th at 3:30 PM

I'm in!
I've paid my 25 WRZ$ to the Honest Bookie and I believe the ice will break on:
April 30 at 3:15pm

I'm in!
I've paid my 2nd 25 WRZ$ to the Honest Bookie and I believe the ice will break on:
May 10 at 1:15pm

[HogwartsExpress]

I'm in!
I've paid my 25 WRZ$ to the Honest Bookie and I believe the ice will break on:
May 6th at 2:34 pm

[HogwartsExpress]

I'm in!
I've paid my 25 WRZ$ to the Honest Bookie and I believe the ice will break on:
April 27th at 1.23 pm

[HogwartsExpress]

I'm in!
I've paid my 25 WRZ$ to the Honest Bookie and I believe the ice will break on:
May 2nd at 3.45 pm

[rflash8]

I'm in!
I've paid my 25 WRZ$ to the Honest Bookie and I believe the ice will break on:
May 5th at 5:00am

I'm in!
I've paid my 25 WRZ$ to the Honest Bookie and I believe the ice will break on:
May 7rh at 5:25 PM

[ozswede]

I'm in!
I've paid my 25 WRZ$ to the Honest Bookie and I believe the ice will break on:
May 1st at 4:06 pm

[ozswede]

I'm in!
I've paid my 25 WRZ$ to the Honest Bookie and I believe the ice will break on:
May 8th at 9:09 am

[ozswede]

I'm in!
I've paid my 25 WRZ$ to the Honest Bookie and I believe the ice will break on:
May 15th at 3:22 pm