In early 1984, a large tabular iceberg calved from the Greenland Ice Sheet and was tracked unusually far south into the Mid-Atlantic shipping lanes. Using available maritime data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), officials in Boring, Maryland prepared a proposed figure skating competition to be held directly on the ice.
The event was scheduled for March 14th, 1984, with participant access planned by helicopter and ski plane. Monitoring continued as the iceberg drifted south, and precise coordinates were recorded.
Prior to arrival, the iceberg fractured into smaller sections and was no longer considered suitable for surface activity. Elaine Porterfield, one of the registered skaters, had already departed by helicopter and was instructed to turn back mid-flight.
Elaine later remarked while picking up her T-shirt from the organizers, “I missed my niece’s baptism.”
Printed in white ink on a red shirt. Three full boxes were discovered in a storage area of Boring, Maryland City Hall during renovations.
