Move Over, Olympics—Iceboating Is the Hottest Sport

The New Yorker

by Ben McGrath

February 23, 2026

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The Navesink River, known for its rare freezes, hosted an eagerly anticipated iceboating race this winter—a throwback to a bygone era of high-speed, frozen competition. The event centered around the Van Nostrand Challenge Cup, a historic silver trophy from 1891, which remains one of North America’s oldest sports trophies. For decades, the sport of iceboating fell out of favor due to warmer winters and shifting cultural interests, but its recent revival has brought renewed attention to this forgotten pastime. The race, originally scheduled for the Navesink River, faced multiple delays due to harsh weather before finally taking place with three boats from each rival club: North Shrewsbury Ice Boat and Yacht Club and Hudson River Ice Yacht Club. Iceboating, once a fixation of turn-of-the-century sportswriters, was a pursuit of speed on ice, often reaching unheard-of velocities for its time. The Van Nostrand Challenge Cup, commissioned by Gardiner Van Nostrand in 1891, symbolizes this elite tradition. Over the years, the trophy’s significance faded as iceboating declined, and it became a forgotten relic until its appraisal at Tiffany’s revealed its immense value. This winter’s race marked only the fourth time the cup had been contested since its creation, with the North Shrewsbury club claiming victory once again. The resurgence of iceboating reflects both a cultural connection to history and a growing appreciation for niche sports tied to place and tradition. The competition between rival clubs, each with decades of history, adds layers of drama and pride to this frozen spectacle. Iceboating’s

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Originally published on The New Yorker on 2/23/2026