May 13, 2013
Represent
Jane Pegel talks about ice boating
Julie Jankowski writes, "The crowd of 100 attendees and our 25 member organizing team of the 3rd Annual Midwest Women's Sailing Conference were so honored to have Jane there...no woman on the planet to better represent hard water sailing (or sailing in general) ! The day went well...I set up a DN and an Ice Opti at the gate entrance by our classroom so all saw them as they arrived...gale force winds forced me to take sails off mid-day..but otherwise a wonderful PR experience! Thanks Jane!"
It's ALIVE!
Some ice freakiness from Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota.
Tip of the Helmet: Tim McCormick Renegade 385
May 8, 2013
Break Up
Borrowed this cool shot from Lake Baikal Pearl's Facebook page: "A circle of thin ice (dark in colour, with a diameter of about 4.4 kilometres or 2.7 miles thought to be caused by convection); this is the focal point for ice break up in the very southern end of the lake. 
Meanwhile, on North America's Thunder Bay in Lake Superior, DNer Mike Madge sent this photo of ice "located right down town in our harbour.
There is better ice located further (20 miles) up the bay.That is where I was sailing last week.
Weather has warmed up in last two days so have not ventured out"
May 3, 2013
Wait..Not So Fast...
May sailing in Canada?
Until December
On the beach....
Sorry this website has been so quiet. Just back from the IDNIYRA European Secretaries Meeting in Amsterdam. Among many other items, some of the 2014 DN regatta dates were set (once the date of the World's was determined):
Western Challenge: December 6-8, Minnesota
Western Regionals: January 4-5
DN North Americans: January 19 - 25, Western Region
World's & European Championships: March 1 - 8, Poland
April 23, 2013
Hover
Slowly updating the Baikal blog. Today's adventure is the hovercraft ride to the Narrows.
Prizes
Photos album from the 4LIYC awards banquet posted here.
April 21, 2013
International Trailers
The 4LIYC and America is well represented on DN Nederland's Dutch ice sailing trailer. I continue to update the Baikal page so keep looking. And the Fat Lady? Well, she'll be making a rather late appearance this year.
April 17, 2013
Catching Up
Photo Credit: Alexandra van Egmond. Baikal Cup podium finishers, the 4LIYC hat makes another international appearance on Dideric van Riemsdijk, far left.
Bad internet access has followed me back home from Russia and I'm still dealing with it but trying to post as much as I can. There's a lot of video and photos still coming out. Check this video out by Evgeny Ryazhev.
Keep checking the blog, I will continue to post there as well.
April 15, 2013
Back in the US
Through the scoring car windshield on Lake Baikal
After two days of travel, finally back home last night at 11 PM. Thanks to Geoff Sobering for taking over while I was away on one of the most incredible adventures of my life. Looks like the 4LIYC Awards Banquet was a great success too! It was very disheartening not to have the full internet access there that I needed but was able to post periodically to Facebook. So, that means I have a lot of catching up to do. Downloading pictures now. I have an hours worth of download time! Stay tuned...LOTS more photos and reports coming about Lake Baikal.
April 3, 2013
Spring Sailing - Western Style...
Jim Nordhaus and Wayne Schmiedlin took a trip out west with their blokarts ...more photos
April 2, 2013
Out the Door...
In a few minutes, I'll be on the way to the airport and will arrive in Irkutsk, Siberia on Thursday. Geoff Sobering has kindly agreed to take over website duties while I'm gone.
Meanwhile, check out the Siberia blog for the latest from the Russian DN regatta.
March 27, 2013
WSSA
Via WSSA Secretary/Treasurer Andy Gratton who writes, "Iceboats you could say we were all winners."
March 26, 2013
Mo Cleland
Mo Cleland, who sailed DNs and on the A class stern steerer, the Mary B passed away on March 6. Here's a note from Don Sanford remembering Mo Cleland. "Iceboating formed another chapter of Mo’s sailing dossier. In the mid-1960s, Mo, Peter Harken and Peter Barrett all crewed for the legendary Jim Payton on the equally legendary Class A iceboat, the Mary B. When I asked Mo about that, he nonchalantly recalled, “I do remember sailing on the Mary B at Oshkosh in a real blow. That was the race where we made one downwind leg (2 miles) in one minute flat. Quite a thrill!”" Continue reading.
March 25, 2013
WSSA Regatta Report
"The regatta was a success on Lake Geneva! We had five boats show up at this late date. Some members of the Skeeter Ice Boat Club knocked down the ice shove on the beach so we could get on the ice Saturday morning."
Continue reading Andy Gratton's report here.
March 24, 2013
Spring Break Siberian Style
Photo Credit: Gareth Rowland DN K11
This website's content manager is heading for Siberia soon. Follow along here.
Northwest Picture of the Day
Photo Credit: Gretchen Dorian
Erik Sawyer's beautiful A Class stern steerer, Michigander.
WSSA Results from Geneva Lake
March 23, 2013
Motions
No wind today gave the WSSA a chance to convene on a plank. Via SIBC Steve Schalk, "Pictured is the WSSA Annual meeting at Geneva Lake. First race starts tomorrow on time at 8:30 am. Wind Northeast 10 gusting to 25 at 7:00 am and 13 gusting to 21 at 10 am. High of 34 and cloudy. We should have 3 races in long before we see any snow at 1 pm."
Northwest Picture of the Day
Photo Credit: Gretchen Dorian
Another stunning photo from Gretchen from last Saturday's Northwest regatta on Green Lake. Kenny Whitehorse and his E Skeeter Warrior.
March 22, 2013
Northwest Picture of the Day
Photo Credit: Gretchen Dorian
Skeeter Ice Boat Club skipper Burly Brellinthin sailed his first Northwest in 1948 on Geneva Lake in the stern steerer Clancy. Burly remembers that the famous "10 Degree Rule" (only applicable to the Northwest and ISA regattas) was soon voted into the By Laws because of the brutally cold conditions on Geneva in 1948.
March 21, 2013
Northwest Picture of the Day
Every Picture Tells A Story
Photo Credit: Gretchen Dorian
The first Renegade race of the regatta on Friday was abandoned because the wind died and the boats did not make the time limit. Later, 4LIYC Commodore Don Anderson R420, told us that he was very happy to be "an old fat guy" who won the track race up to the weather mark with a lot of pushing which Gretchen Dorian documented with this photo. Don and his "Florida" Renegade, which he picked up there last summer and refurbished, came in second overall in the Renegade fleet.
WSSA Called ON
UPDATE: Lodging options:
The Fontana Village Inn is probably the best value in town.
Their phone number is 262-275-6700.
"Finally!! The WSSA regatta is called on for March 23 and 24, 2013. The site is Lake Geneva, Fontana. It is reported to have an average of 11.5 inches of ice thickness with the top 3" being snow ice. Roughness about like Green Lake last weekend, drive on access at the beach south of Chuck's Bar. Snow coverage of about 50%, 1.5" deep. This may be the last chance to hold a WSSA regatta this season, so get the runners cleaned up and push, shove, or drag your boat to the lake! First race at 11 am on Saturday.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer":
March 20, 2013
Northwest Video by Jim McDonagh!
Minnesota DNer Jim McDonagh got his money's worth out of his Drift Innovation HD Ghost camera this weekend at the Northwest. He attached the camera to the following boats: John Dennis E Skeeter,
Jim McDonagh DN,
Mike Derusha Renegade, and
Mike Peters Stern Steerer. "
Four different races sailed on Sunday, the last day of the regatta on the same course. There was more wind in the morning then afternoon, and the order was, Renegade, DN, Skeeter, Stern Steerers." Unfortunately the battery died during the B Skeeter race when it was attached to Troy Soberg's boat. Jim also recommends watching this in HD for the best effect.
Northwest Picture of the Day
Photo Credit: Gretchen Dorian
Jane Pegel sailed her DN US805 at the 100th anniversary of the Northwest and came away as the top female sailor.
She sailed her first Northwest in 1952 on Lake Monona in Madison while she was a college student. She went on to win the Northwest DN title a record 11 times in 1960, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1976, 1984, and 1990. As far as the DN Women's Trophy is concerned, it's easier to figure out the years she hasn't won it. Since 1958, there's been 5 regattas not sailed, 1 with no women competing, and 8 other names on the trophy besides Jane's. And yes, her name will go on that trophy in 2013 for the 40th time!
Northwest Picture of the Day
Photo Credit: Gretchen Dorian
Everyone at the Northwest was fired up to see Buddy Melges on the line and at the social events with Gloria.
Buddy's dad, Harry, won the first Northwest Skeeter title in 1936. Keep checking the Northwest page because reports and galleries continue to be posted.
March 18, 2013
Fat Lady MIA in Madison
Via Daniel Hearn,
"team maDisoN Mendota Report (3/17)
(Submitted by Daniel Hearn, US5352)
When things didn’t appear as if they were going to work out for much sailing at the Northwest, team maDisoN left Saturday afternoon to set up on Lake Mendota at Captain Bills. We got in about an hour of sailing before sundown Saturday, and assembled again Sunday morning for a day of scrub racing. What a day it turned out to be! We started racing at 10:00 a.m. and finished up about 5:00 p.m. How many races can you complete in that amount of time? I have no idea, because I lost count, but my body is reminding me today it was a lot. We had 10 DNs, ice was almost snow free, but a little rough—a 6.5 rating according to the Sugar-Barnett scale. Sunny skies, with winds steady from the east around 12 mph, with higher gusts. Looking out my window now, it appears that may have been the end of our local season. BUT, you never know!" [Yes, we received some snow but stay tuned because we'll be checking ice on Friday. Remember,as we've heard before, the snow helps to cushion the bumps.]
The Red Truck At The Weather Mark
Photo Credit: Gretchen Dorian
Quite a few people assumed that the red truck parked at the weather mark for every race during the Northwest was a Race Committee member. Not so-it was professional photographer Gretchen Dorian who made the trip from northern Michigan across the UP to photograph the event. She posted this one of John Dennis on her Facebook page. See Gretchen's web site here.
Northwest Wrap Ups
Free-For-All 10 lap race finish
The racing may be completed for the 100 year anniversary of the Northwest regatta but the photos, wrap ups, and videos will be coming in all week. Be sure to check out the results and the Northwest 100 webpage for the latest updates including three videos that were uploaded to Youtube.
March 15, 2013
Northwest Called ON for Green Lake
Check the NIYA 100 Page for the latest updated information.
The Northwest regatta has been called ON for Green Lake in Green Lake, WI for March 15-17, 2013.. Put on at the west end at the county boat landing on Hwy K. The county park is just east of Reilly's Pub (where they have great food by the way).
Map. Ice conditions: Minimum of 16" (that's when Greg's drill stopped.) Surface rated between a 6 and 7, sailable but not perfect. You can drive on. Come and enjoy the event! For all updates, see the Northwest 100 page.
DN European Championship Complete
Photo borrowed from the DN Sweden Facebook Page
"Due to too strong wind and hard accumulated snow up to 30cm we won't have any races today, so yesterdays results will be final." via Jakub Michalczyk in Poland. Karol Jablonski successfully defends his title as European champion. Results here.
March 11, 2013
DN European Championship Regatta
Photo stolen from Gareth Rowland's K-11 Facebook page.
3-12 PM UPDATE:
Regatta is moving to Lake Siemianowskie tomorrow as per Godie, webmaster for IDNIYRA Europe.
3-12 UPDATE: According to Gareth Rowland K-11's Facebook page, due to too much snow at the primary site, the race committee is considering moving the regatta to Lake Siemianowskie near the border of Poland and Belarus among other options. The fourth B fleet race was protested, the protest was allowed, and the standings revised to reflect three completed races in that fleet. Read more about the protest and the decisions facing the race committee on Vlada's blog.
Today is the first day of the 2013 IDNIYRA European championship regatta in Gizycho, Poland. Defending champion Karol Jablonski P36 is in first after one day of racing. The German Facebook page posted the following, ".. The weather conditions were difficult in medium winds and light snow fall."
Here are some websites covering the regatta (There's also quite a bit being posted on Facebook). Check out the following:
Results from day one
German Ice Sailing Website
Czech Republic DNer Vlada Ptasnick's Blog
Filip is Fast
Polish Ice Optimist sailor Filip Graczyk, who was here with his father, Robert, for the DN Worlds placed second in the Polish Ice Opti regatta. Filip, his father, and Tomasz Zakrzewski spent some time on Lakes Kegonsa and Mendota before heading to Lake Pepin for the Worlds. Note he's sporting a cool Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club hat.
March 10, 2013
Northwest Called On
The Northwest regatta has been called on for March 15-17, 2013 for Wisconsin. Stand by for a video update from Greg Simon who is scouting ice on Winnebago and Green Lake.
March 9, 2013
"A season on the ice"
"In below-freezing temperatures, Lake Ontario is silent except for the sounds of wind and blades. When the lake ices over, a group of up to 20 Kingstonians gather to race their ice boats." Continue reading.
1953
This photo was published in the Wisconsin State Journal last Sunday. The "two men" are Jim Lunder, who was the second owner of the Mary B., and Andy Flom, who won many Northwests, Hearsts, and Stuart championships sailing A stern steerers. Jim's son, Steve Lunder, dropped a note to the paper about the photo:
March 7, 2013
Due North: The Hunt for Ice in Europe
This is a blog tells the story of the search for a regatta site for the DN European Championship by some Hungarians. Pictures are beautiful. Tip of the Helmet to Gareth Rowland K-11. "We began our pursuit to find the some proper ice to host the 2013 DN European Championship. We left for Poland on the 2nd of March in the morning from Balatonfüred, Hungary. We reached the Slovakian border by noon and cut through the Carpathian mountains. ‘Gosh I hate Slovakian roads!’ By night we reached the site of the ongoing Polish championship." Read the blog and see the pictures here.
March 5, 2013
Lake Wallenpaupack Photos
Photo Credit: Jeff Smith
See all the photos here.
Via Jordan Glaser & Jeff Smith: "There was a great weekend of iceboat racing on Lake Wallenpaupack this past weekend. The A Stern Steerers, DNs, and Yankees kept racing one after the other on crunchy ice and in fluky and gusty NW winds. Challenging to say the least, with a bit more wind and harder ice on Sunday.
Six Yankees sailed for the George Fournier Trophy:
1. Mark Hancik
2. Greg Hansa
3. Jeff Smith
The A Stern Steerers raced for the John Darling Pennant and the DNs raced like crazy."
Next Gen
From our Indiana friends on Lake Wawasee, the Lembergs, "Rick Lemberg Jr. with Rick lll (Trey) took his first ice boat ride on Lake Wawasee Saturday and loved it.
Rick Lemberg Sr. DN 4155"
March 2, 2013
"Local sailors enjoy their hobby of ice boating on Lake Wawasee"
By JENNIFER MEIER THE GOSHEN NEWS SYRACUSE — "Skeptics beware. The ice boaters on Lake Wawasee have indisputable proof that they go fast — very fast. “Before this,” said lake resident Bob Fanning, displaying his GPS watch, “people pretty much thought we were lying when we told them we were going over 50 mph. Now we’ve got the proof.” Continue reading.
February 27, 2013
Videomania!
Ride along with JD on his Skeeter
There's been quite a few high quaility ice boat videos posted on Youtube the last two days. Too many to embed on this page so here's the list:
John Dennis Skeeter first ride on Minnetonka
Now You Know: Ice Boating On Elk Lake with Jack Jacobs
Swedish DN Championship
B fleet leeward rounding.
Sailing with Tomek Zakrzewski P55
A fleet 6th race leeward rounding
February 25, 2013
Swedish Weather
Too good not to post. Check out this video of the A fleet rounding the weather mark from the Swedish DN championships sailed over the weekend. Results here.
February 24, 2013
Multi Tasking
Ice boaters can be a bit obsessed with their runners. With no weekend sailing, 4LIYC DNer Kyle Metzloff brings his in the kitchen to help with dinner. Meanwhile near Toledo, IDNIYRA Commodore Rich Potcova enjoys firing up the Weber grill with a set of Sarns. "So with nothing to lose and extremly dangerous with my BSE degree and You Tube videos, I set out last night to harden runners."
Read his story here.
February 22, 2013
Double Reverse
Discussing adding 2" to the luff.
"Melges North Sails rep (and DN & Nite skipper) Jim Gluek made a house call yesterday to the Whitehorse/Krueger Boat Barn to discuss sail development for Ken's Skeeter, Warrior -->-->-->-->--> [That's Warrior 5 using arrows-ed.}
This past Sunday, the Warrior found the set up and sail combination for the light air conditions (winds 4mph with gusts to 6).
Gluek assured Whitehorse that Melges North Sails can build a special double reverse blade sail that will stick to the track and handle the corners in big wind. Whitehorse immediately commissioned them to build such a sail."
Discussing pulley placement.
Report submitted by Wahoo Whitehorse
Photos straight from Jon Thundercloud's phone.
New DN Build
"Mark Isabell [Pewaukee Ice Sailing Squadron] has been gracious enough to let me borrow his basement since Thanksgiving. I guess this is what I get for having my new boat ready to sail this weekend – finished epoxy last week and mounting hardware this week! If I go get plank materials, we’re guaranteed to get more snow."
Link to more photos.
Matt Schmidt
Nite 277
DN US5536
February 21, 2013
New DN European Jr Champion
Eddie Klemets S812, second from left at the DN World Championship at Lake Pepin.
Congratulations to Sweden's Eddie Klemets for winning the DN European Junior ice sailing championship. Eddie was recently here in Madison, traveling with Daniel & Frankie Hearn and Mats and Johan Lonn to Lake Pepin for the DN Worlds and North Americans.
Results here.
Mendota Kite Cam Photos
Craig Wilson flew his kite and camera on sunny Lake Mendota over the weekend. See photos from Sunday here on his Facebook page.
Boecraft Regatta Pictures
The Boecraft Skeeters on Geneva Lake held their regatta over the recent weekend. Check out the photos of these beautiful classic Skeeters.
February 20, 2013
Warrior Update
Ken Whitehorse continues to dial in his Skeeter, Warrior. Last week he moved the mast back 3". This week's project is moving the blocks back 3" as well.
February 19, 2013
Mark Prange 2013 Nite National Championship winner.
"Pewaukee Ice Yacht Club member and long-time Nite skipper Mark Prange became this year’s International Nite Class Association champion. A seemingly endless sheet of ice greeted competitors who arrived at beautiful Green Lake Wisconsin for the 2013 edition of the Nite National Championship Regatta. Thirteen skippers, including several first-timers, lined up for three races in light to medium air."
Continue reading.
February 17, 2013
Sunday..
..from a window.
Sunday sailing was just as good as Saturday with 12 races completed in 3 fleets. Scores updated here.
Nite Nationals Day 1 Report
2013 Nite Nationals Report
Don Sanford, INCA Commodore
A seemingly endless sheet of ice greeted competitors who arrived in beautiful Green Lake Wisconsin for the 2013 edition of the Nite National Chamnpionship Regatta. A field of thirteen competitors, including several first-timers lined up for three races in light to medium air. A fourth race was attempted after lunch but was abandoned when the breeze dropped and left half of the fleet walking while the other half ghosted around on private puffs. At the end of the first day Mark Prange holds a commanding lead with finishes of 1, 4 & 2 followed by Brett Larson & Terry Erwin.
Conditions are not promising for Sunday. Nevertheless skippers will be on the ice at 0900 local time to clear the haze from their brains and discuss weather predictions and last nights fun party hosted by the Green Lake Ice Yacht Club. You'll find the results here.
February 16, 2013
One of Three
It was a stellar day in Wisconsin for ice boat racing. The Nites sailed their regatta on Green Lake, the Boecraft Skeeters sailed theirs along with SIBC club racing on Geneva Lake, and the 4LIYC completed 12 races in 3 fleets today on Lake Mendota. Daniel Hearn dominated the DN fleet today with 4 bullets. Tim McCormick won 2 in the Renegades while Greg McCormick and George Gerhardt each won the other two races. The Skeeter races were just as exciting with first place finishes by Bill Dale and two by Tom Hyslop. The last Skeeter race of the day was won by Steve Orelebeke who battled runner to runner with Tom Hyslop all day. Back at it tomorrow at 10 AM.
The fleet enjoys a break at the University of Wisconsin's famous Rathskeller.
Peter Fauerbach hoists the starting flag.
February 15, 2013
Sweet Sixteen
4LIYC DNer Dave Elsmo gave another ten college students their first ride on an ice boat today on Lake Mendota which makes for a total of sixteen since yesterday.
4LIYC Club Racing: The Flag is UP!
Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club racing has been called on for February 16-17, 2013 out the Warner Beach landing on Woodward Drive in Madison. Ice checkers spent two hours on Mendota today and found 12" of ice. They started on the west end in Middleton but found too many cracks. They went over to the Warner Beach landing and found an area of smooth ice for a one mile course in about the same spot as the 2011 Renegade Championships. The ice is bumpier and rougher sailing from the landing out to the race course. Mendota is a big lake (about 10,000 acres), and as usual, the entire lake is not sailable due to cracks and some snow moguls. And yes, you will have to pay the fee to park at Warner Beach. You can drive on the ice to drop your trailer but PLEASE pull your car off as soon as possible! Help us keep that permit!
Winnebago Memories
Received a note from Charlie and Carole Miller about this photo from the Carl Bernard collection. Charlie grew up on Lake Winnebago and has sailed every kind of ice boat imaginable. "Charlie is the young man with white shirt sitting on the trailer.
The trailer belonged with the [A class stern steerer]Mary B.
The car was owned by Carl Bernard [who sailed the Mary B. to many Northwest, Hearst, and Stuart victories] which was a 1949/50 Oldsmobile. They pulled the trailers and boats off the ice with that car.
The boats Charlie remembers being there were the Mary B., Flying Dutchman, and the Debutant.
Charlie was about 17 years young, now 79.
The launching site was at John Buckstaff's house on Lake Winnebago."
February 14, 2013
Snagging
Posted on the 4LIYC Facebook page today by 4LIYC DNer Dave Elsmo whose day job is the head of instruction for the Hoofers UW Sailing Program. "Six new college kids tried iceboating today, ice was rumbly but hard!" How many of us can say we got six new people in an ice boat in one day?
February 13, 2013
Nite Nationals ON!
Photo Credit: Craig Wilson
Via Nite Commodore Don Sanford, "This morning I found a voice mail on my phone from Joe Norton at Green Lake, "We've got ice, call me."
Then an e-mail arrived from him that concluded: "Anyone that wants to sail should come now no need to wait for better!'
And, with that the official decision has been made.
The 2013 edition of the INCA National Championship Regatta has been called ON for Green Lake, WI. for the weekend of Feb 16 & 17, 2013.
February 10, 2013
Craig Wilson's Kite Cam Photos
Kite camera photographer Craig Wilson has been a good friend to the ice boating community for many years and generously shares his photos for use on this website. He sent these photos that he shot at the ISA back in January. (Sorry I'm just getting around to posting these but it's been rather hectic lately.) Craig has published two books which include shots of ice boats. Follow Craig on Facebook and see his website here. See more ice boating photos on his Flickr page.
February 7, 2013
DNs En Fuego
Via Canadian ice boater, Stefan Dalberg, here's a video he helped to arrange filmed on Ghost Lake (his home lake) in Alberta, Canada over the Christmas holidays. It's a commercial for a mobile phone carrier that will air in the Spanish/European market. Also interesting to note the sails were made by none other than Henry Bossett at the North New Jersey Sail Loft.
January 29, 2013
Gold Cup Complete
Congratulations Tomek Zakrzewski for winning the DN Gold Cup for the second year in a row. Results here. North Americans scheduled for tomorrow.
January 27, 2013
Dn Worlds
Preliminary results from day one here.Thank you Loretta!
January 26, 2013
They Really DO Fly!
Via Fond Du Lac ice boater Dave Lallier, "
My good sailing friend Dave Whealon, who has inspired us to get the Dutchmen going again, decided that since there are so many Stern steerers sailing, that we had better hurry up and get her out. So, since he has a bunch of equipment, he said "lets get it done". So, he loaded her up on one of his 18 wheelers, got the crane fired up, and assembled her in a parking lot next to the lake. I haven't ever seen it done like that before.
The Hudson River Yacht Club is having a ball and getting a bunch of sailing in. I hope to get you a couple of photo's of them, all those gaff riggers out sailing together is such a beautiful sight. Our paper put them on a front page and also has video and photos here."
January 24, 2013
On The Border
The DN Gold Cup and North American Championship primary site is Lake Pepin in between Wisconsin and Minnesota. The regatta is scheduled to begin on January 26 and run through February 2, 2013. Official information is posted on the DN Forum. Watch the DN page here for updates through out the regatta.
January 21, 2013
ISA Photo Galleries
Racing photos from MJ Carpenter here.
See Allen Penticoff's photos here.
January 20, 2013
ISA Day 3 Report: That's a Wrap
Not today
Photo Credit: MJ Carpenter
The ISA and Renegade championships have been called complete. The race committee found some rather large holes on the lake which were caused by fishing shanties that melted the ice in Saturday's warm temperatures. When the big arctic front came through last night with 50 mph winds, the shacks blew away and the wind worked the weak ice into open spots. Awards ceremoney in a few minutes.
Check out these nice pictures from Saturday here.
January 19, 2013
A Perfect Day for the ISA
Photo Credit: Craig Wilson.
Results and reports, here.
January 18, 2013
Try Again For Tomorrow
Lunch club on the trailer to Springers
Winds gusting wildly to 34 mph caused postponment of the ISA today. First Renegade race starts tomorrow at 8:30 AM SHARP. Read more here.
January 17, 2013
I.S.A.
Boats setting up and sailing today, the day before the start of the ISA and Renegade championships.
Reports here.
Screen Saver
Via Mike Bloom, "According to Tonka DNers Steve Kennedy, Harry Allen, Andy Foster and Al Lizee, Tuesday evening turned out to be one of those magical afternoon/evenings out on the ice. The sailed well into the evening thanks to good ice, a fair breeze and a beautiful sunset!
Photo credit goes to Steve Kennedy.
See you at the Gold Cup!"
On Not Being That Guy...
Toledo Ice Yacht Club's Kent Baker (also IDNIYRA Vice Commodore and Central Lakes Commodore) has created "a poorly drawn tutorial series for novice and beginners in ice boat racing". He may think it's poorly drawn, but the graphics and explanations give a very clear understanding of how to properly finish a race with a safety zone and how to line up your boat at the start. Go there...now.
January 16, 2013
Final Confirmation:
ISA & Renegade Championships ON
Quam Landing this morning.
The International Skeeter Association Regatta and the Renegade Championships are called on for January 18,19,20, 2013 on Lake Kegonsa south of Madison, WI.
Information about pre-registering, lodging, banquet information, schedule of events, maps, and much more on the ISA & Renegade Championship page. UPDATE: There will be quite a few boats setting up on Thursday, January 17 and scrub racing. Come early and join the fun.
January 15, 2013
Flying With the Eagles
The ice boaters on Bald Eagle Lake in Minnesota are enjoying a great season. Via Pat Heppert, "A total of 11 Nites battled it out on Bald Eagle Lake this weekend. The ice is in top condition, except for hitting ice junk, including a rock and a license plate laying on the ice. Sailed three races on Saturday in very high winds, and there was a surprisingly very low amount of carnage, which is a credit to the durability of the Nite class. Sunday brought much lighter winds, about 10 MPH, and we got in three races around a 1 mile course. It seems like the entire fleet is generally getting faster and more competitive, and the boats are grouped much tighter together with many more changes at the front of the pack. I broke the boom on the Skeeter on Sunday, so sailing a borrowed Nite really reminded me how fun the one-design class really is. It’s always a great time with the BEIYC (Bald Eagle Ice Yacht Club), and the heated clubhouse really came in handy with the 5-10 F temperature on Sunday. New sailors are always welcome, so come on out!"
T Bay X 20
Thunder Bay ice sailor Mike Madge is getting a lot of tiller time this season and says he "thinks it was my 20 time on the ice this year so far. Rain Friday made for a nice fast ride on smooth ice."
January 14, 2013
Kegonsa Tracks
Geoff Sobering uploaded two GPS tracks from Sunday DN racing on Lake Kegonsa. (first and last races):
Race 1
Race 4
"Between the unstable wind and my bad steering they are not very
consistent laps...
Cheers,
Geoff S.
P.S. Please add a thanks from the (very tardy) DN Fleet to Doug Kolner
and Peter Fauerbach for staying late before lunch to get our "morning"
races in."
January 10, 2013
Forever Young
Via Lake Winnebago ice boater Dave Laller, "Just wanted to send you a couple of photo's of my brother Jeff and I taking our 84 year old mom sailing on our Johnson A boat this past Tuesday. It was a fantastic day of sailing and we did not want to stop. This iceboat thing started for me when I was a baby sitting on Mom's lap in the back seat of Mr Dass, an old Don Ward D skeeter which is still in the family. Both Jeff and I were lucky to have spent much time sailing with mom and dad when we were young.
Happy sailing and hope to see you soon!" [Mrs. Lallier is definitely PAGO material...see post below.]
Long May You Run
Tuesday night Tim and Pete McCormick installed all the remaining hardware and squared up the runners. Renegade #309 is ready for action! The boat has been named PAGO which is a movement started by Pete’s wife, Darcy. Darcy is a physical Therpy Assistant and has started a “Movement of Movement.” PAGO stands for “People Against Getting Old.” Stay active and stay young.
New Opti Traveling Trophy!
Via Daniel Hearn, "
As North American Ice Opti Champion for 2012, Griffin Sherry was the first recipient of a new traveling trophy—a Renegade radio controlled iceboat—which will be put into the care of the reigning champion each year moving forward. The impressive machine was generously donated to the NAIORA by German, Christian Seegers, G551. Christian and his son, Andreas, are frequent participants in ice sailing regattas in the United States. The NAIORA is extremely grateful to Christian, and we’ll look forward to sharing ice with Team Seegers in the future."
Daniel Hearn
Secretary, North American Junior Ice Sailing
January 9, 2013
Westerns Photo Gallery
Here's a photo gallery featuring shots from Allen Penticoff.
January 7, 2013
Skeeter & Renegade Pics
Renegaders Tim McCormick and Jerry Ebert ready for the flag to drop. Photo Credit: Allen Penticoff
Thanks to Allen Penticoff for sending these photos from Saturday racing on Lake Kegonsa. See them here. 4LIYC Scorer Tim McCormick is working on the standings. Check back for those.
Coachable
Via Minnetonka DNer Mike Bloom, "Buddy Melges coaches Team Tonka at DN Western Regionals. Scott Brown, Mike Bloom, Mark 'Doctor" Christensen, Jim Gluek and Buddy Melges." Buddy was all over the place on Saturday spending some time with the Skeeters and Renegades over on their course as well.
Meanwhile In Montana
Montana Skeeter sailor Dale Livezey shares the good news about Montana. "The north end of Canyon Ferry in Montana froze like glass. Dave Gluek got out with his DN in light wind on Saturday. The skaters went wild." Watch this cool video, "The Noisy Ice of Canyon Ferry".
In The News
Here's a local news report about the weekend's sailing featuring an interview with DN Western Region Commodore Julie Jankowski.
DN Western Regionals
See final corrected results here. I have a bunch of photos to post. Keep checking back this morning.
January 6, 2013
Regatta Complete
Photo Credit: Allen Penticoff
The DN Western Regionals were completed today. Ron Sherry won Gold and Pete Orlebeke won Silver. The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club also completed club racing in Renegades and Skeeters. Check back later for all the photos. Results
January 5, 2013
Racy
Between the DN Western Regional regatta and the Four Laked Ice Yacht Club, 19 ice boat races were sailed on Lake Kegonsa. There was a lot of mixing it up in the DN fleet. Unofficially, Ron Sherry had two wins, Mark "The Doctor" Christensen one, and Steve Orelebeke one. In the DN Silver fleet, Pete Orlebeke took two first places and US5430 Bill Cutting took the the other two. Griffin Sherry took first in the 3 Ice Optimist races. Good to see Jane Pegel back on the ice with a top 10 finish in one race.
Racers saw some medium to light air and the snow was increasingly sticky during the day.
Meanwhile, to the southwest of the DN course, the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club was able to bang off 4 races in the Skeeter and Renegade fleets. Tom Hyslop won 3 and Jay Yaeso won the other. The boat of the day was Jerry Ebert's Renegade with 3 bullets. Tim McCormick won the the other. Buddy Melges showed up in the afternoon to show the Skeeter guys how to really set a course. He also stopped by to say hi to the DNs and the scorers.
January 3, 2013
Kegonsa!
Your view from Springers this weekend.
It's going to be a big weekend on Lake Kegonsa for Midwestern ice boat RACING. The DN Western Region regatta has been called on for Saturday and Sunday. Sharing the same lake and over on another course, the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club will hold club races for Renegades, Skeeters, and Nites. Commodore Don Anderson sailed the entire lake today and is confident that there will be enough ice for two courses. It will be a great opportunity for everyone to see some of the hottest ice boats in North America. There's going to be a lot of traffic and we ask that everyone please be careful out there.
All Four Lakes Ice Yacht club sailors are invited to a Saturday after-racing “Regatta-Come-As-You-Are-Buffet-Gathering” at Springer's for only $15. (sliced beef, chicken, mashed potatoes, veggies, and rolls). Could you please let me know if you are attending by email, text, or even calling? We need the count by 9 am Saturday. "Also on Sunday, Springers will set up a hot, inexpensive “send-off” buffet while you pack trailers and wait for final score tabulations..sloppy joes, pulled pork, fries, coleslaw, etc. $9 – Pay if you eat.
A thumbs-up at registration will help them plan."
Cool Shots from the DN Centrals
Photographer Gretchen Dorian was up at the weather mark during the DN Centrals and captured some fast boats.
Check them out on her website.
January 1, 2013
Trailer Sailors
Watching You Watching Me Watching You Watching Me...
The wind let us down today on Lake Kegonsa but that didn't stop us from having some New Years Day fun.
Story and photos here.
2013 Agendas
Happy New Year! Here's a couple of agendas received from ISA and NIYA Secretary Paul Krueger.
2013 ISA Meeting Agenda
2013 Northwest Ice Yacht Association Meeting Agenda
2012 NIYA Meeting Minutes
December 31, 2012
Ringing in New Years Skeeter Style
4LIYC Skeeter guys Paul Krueger and Ken Whitehorse had a great day on Lake Kegonsa pulling sheet.
4LIYC Holiday Series Racing
The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club will attempt to hold our famous 10 lap race, the Bloody Mary Classic tomorrow on Lake Kegonsa at noon. Holiday series races are scheduled for 2PM. Yes, the forecast is cold but we are hoping to see that high of 11 degrees at 2 PM for some racing. See you there!
December 30, 2012
Grand Slam Complete
It's George & The Doctor
Congratulations to 4LIYC Renegader George Gerhardt and MN DNer Mark "The Doctor" Christensen for their successful Grand Slam regattas. Final results here.
DN Centrals
The 2012 DN Central Regionals were completed on Houghton Lake in Michigan this weekend. See the final results here.
December 28, 2012
4LIYC Grand Slam Regatta Called ON
Photo Credit: Geoff Sobering who called the ice "seriously fast".
The Grand Slam regatta is called on for Saturday and Sunday. The Skeeters have decided to wait to put their boats on until the landings are firmer for their big trailers, maybe Sunday. Ice checkers found 4-5" of sold, hard, black ice with less than 1" of fluffy snow. Do not drive on the lake, please roll trailers on to the lake. We will have
ATVs available for loading and unloading.
UPDATE UPDATE: The forecasters are backing off the snow totals that the area is to receive today. NOAA is calling for about an inch in the Madison area. Snow shouldn't be a problem. We'll be looking at Lake Kegonsa again today and making the final call for the Grand Slam.
UPDATE: Here's a Grand Slam regatta page with some more information.
The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club has tentatively called on the Grand Slam regatta for Saturday and Sunday, December 29-30, 2012 on Lake Kegonsa. Ice checkers measured 4" of hard ice today on Lake Kegonsa. The Grand Slam is a "fun regatta" for DNs, Nites, Renegades, and Skeeters. The Grand Slam was last sailed 10 years ago in 2002 also on Lake Kegonsa. We'll have more information about where to launch your boat, etc. tomorrow. Final confirmation will be on Friday, December 28 at 12PM CST.
Oh, and DO NOT DRIVE ON THE ICE!
Got Ice In Oshkosh
Via Andy Gratton, "The ice is about 4" on Thursday and glass smooth. People skated all over the bay. Skatesails and small iceboats sailed the last two days. The entire west side of Winnebago looks like this. So smooth that skates don't clatter."
December 27, 2012
Maine Via Madison
When we last saw 4LIYC skipper Scott Earnest's new DN, US 5519, it was at the alignment party held at Daniel Hearn's right before the Western Challenge. Scott and his DN are visiting his parents in Maine for the holidays. Yesterday he was able to sail with the Chickawaukee Ice Boat Club in on Plymouth Pond.
December 26, 2012
Christmas Ice in Oshkosh
Ace of Spades skipper Mike Peters sent these photos of some beautiful Christmas ice on Lake Winnebago.
December 23, 2012
Champagne Ice On Tonka
Via Mike Bloom:"Tonka DNers received an early X-mas present when Pete Johns showed up with a boat load of "champagne" ice. It has been years since we have seen such beautiful ice on Tonka. It is incredibly smooth, hard and optically clear. Suffice it to say, Pete (standing on the far right of the picture) is welcome back anytime!
Saturday was a bust due to no wind but on Sunday we sailed 5 scrub races in medium air on a fast 1 mile course . In true Tonka fashion no results were recorded but Pete won the award for the biggest smile. Pete also placed second in the "who traveld the farthest" award losing out to Maddy Kennedy who raced her DN after flying home from Hawaii for the Holiday." Speaking of Minnetonka DNer Maddy Kennedy, she recently made Sports Illustrated "Faces in the Crowd" for her collegiate sailing career, "Kennedy, a junior at the University of Hawaii, and teammate Katrina Berry, a freshman, led the Rainbow Wahine to a team win in the Pacific Coast Collegiate Sailing Conference fall championship, hosted by USC in the Santa Barbara Harbor, defeating runner-up Stanford by 23 points. The duo had four top finishes in 12 races to win the A division with a regatta-low 26 point."
Snowbird
Nice picture of the "Snowbird" on the cover of Wisconsin Journeys. Tip of the Helmet: Mike Peters.
December 22, 2012
U194: First Skeeter Sighting
John Dennis set up his new Skeeter on Minnetonka in Minnesota on Friday. Word is he got the boat up to speed pretty nicely in very light air.
December 20, 2012
Vladislav Ptasnick's WC Blog
"Frankie Hearn and Griffin Sherry. Future of US DN Sailing" That's Vlada in the middle.
4LYC DNers Daniel and Frankie Hearn hosted DN sailor and Czech Republic IDNIYRA Secretary, Vladislav Ptasnick, during the Western Challenge. Vlada has translated his blog into English and it's a very interesting read on his experience here, the first time he's visited the United States.
Part 1, The Journey
Part 2, In Madison
Part 3, Preparation
Part 4, Training Day
Part 5, Racing Day 1
Part 6, Racing Day 2
December 19, 2012
Jan Gougeon
Jan Gougeon at the 2011 DN Worlds in Peru, IL
Photo by Gretchen Dorian
UPDATE: Read Ron Sherry's tribute to Jan Gougeon here.
Via the West System website: "Jan Clover Gougeon, of Bay City, Michigan, died Tuesday, December 18, 2012 in Ann Arbor, Michigan at age 67.
1n 1969, Jan founded Gougeon Brothers, Inc. with his brothers Meade and Joel. The company began building boats and iceboats, and found great success in formulating, manufacturing and marketing WEST SYSTEM and PRO-SET epoxies for boat construction and repair." Continue reading.
Jan's influence in ice boating can not be emphasized enough. Jane Pegel shares the record and thoughts about Jan:
"Jan Gougeon, DN US 1183
IDNIYRA Commodore, 1980
DN Junior Champion
1964 - Toledo
DN World Champion,
1975 - Saginaw Bay
This regatta was completed as the ice was blowing out
of Saginaw Bay.
1982 - Wittensee, Germany - sailing on hard ice
1985 - Barnegat Bay - sailing a new hull design that became the basis for the
the hull design now sailed by the majority of
North American sailors.
1991 - Saginaw Bay sailing on soft ice using a Boston low batten sail.
DN North American Champion
1971 - Geist Reservoir
1972 - Bantam Lake
1976 - Hamilton Bay - The first championship won with an aluminum mast
1981 - Hamilton Bay - Sticky, light air conditions
1986 - Muskegon - Great sailing on hard ice.
1988 - Trenton Water on the ice was over the runners.
1994 - Elk Lake Jan won a close battle with Ron Sherry sailed in sticky
snow with strong wind.
2000 - Lake Miltona Dominated the racing sailing on soft ice using 1/4" Ts.
Jan Gougeon was a major player in the development of the DN into the boat we sail today. Jan won the 1985 Worlds with a hull design that was the prototype for the hulls now being raced by the majority of North American sailors. He easily won all the races in that championship and then made plans available for others looking for top performance. He thoughtfully considered how best to take advantage of all allowed tolerances and set a new path for the design of DN hulls. Current Class plans are based upon Jan's design.
Jan was the toughest competitor I've ever seen. In 1989 on Lake Champlain Jan broke his mast scrub racing the day before the championship. He borrowed some Gouge from another sailor, got some sitka scraps from Peter Hill and worked all night to put the mast back together, stopping only for a couple of cat naps while the glue set-up After stripping to bare ski to sand the mast, Jan was black with carbon dust but his clothes, carefully stowed away, were clean and fresh. He hopped into the shower and was ready to hit the starting line and placed second in the Worlds.
When members of the Detroit IYC were experimenting with fiberglass masts and producing masts as stiff as telephone poles, Jan and Mead helped tweak the building procedures. The result was the Whip that was successfully used on the winner of the 1996 North Americans.
Always bubbling with enthusiasm, Jan was happy to share his knowledge with others. Along with his brother Mead, Jan was responsible for the development of young Matt Struble, who went on to win three World's and three North American championships.
A sportsman, a competitor, and a gentleman."
UPDATE: Nice thread on Wooden Boat Forum about Jan.
SA has one too.
December 16, 2012
Lucky Dogs Report
Photo taken on Friday, Dec 14, from MN sailor Mike Miller west arm of Lake Minnetonka
Why yes, there's been sailing in at least three locations in North America over the weekend. Mike Miller reported on the Minnesota Ice Boaters Facebook page that he and others sailed on Friday but were waiting to see what Saturday's rain did to the surface. Thunder Bay's Mike Madge continues to enjoy his season up there. Out east, the Chickawaukee Ice Boat Club website is talking about a great weekend of sailing on Plymouth Pond up in Maine. Even though their ice is not quite ready for sailing, the Montana ice boaters aren't letting their ice go to waste- by getting in as much skating as they can.
December 11, 2012
NIYA History:
Dawn of the Skeeter Class
Who won the first Northwest Ice Yachting Association Skeeter title? Read about it here.
Skeeter WC Update
UPDATE 2: From the "Nothing's Fickler Than Ice Boating" Department: JD's update on the MN Ice Sailing site tonight, "We have new Ice in Minnesota as of this morning. Nothing that will be thick enough for the big boats this weekend. The Skeeter Western Challenge is postponed until further notice..." Read more here.
UPDATE: JD is reporting "no known sites at this time" on the Minnesota Ice Sailing website. Keep checking there for the latest.
PREVIOUS: Here's some exciting news about a new Minnesota regatta in the tradition of the highly successful DN Western Challenge.Via Minnesota DN and Skeeter skipper John Dennis: "We would like to announce the first annual Skeeter Western Challenge Regatta scheduled for December 14-16, 2012. The regatta is open to Skeeters and Nites. We will post ice information on iceboating.net as the time nears. Hopefully we can find some good ice and have some fun sailing the big boats in the west."
December 8, 2012
Ice Optimist Gallery
Photo by Chris Clark
Chris Clark's photos from last weekend's 2012 Ice Optimist North Americans are posted on the 4LIYC Youth Sailing page along with a bunch of other Ice Optimist information. Check them out.
December 5, 2012
Just A Perfect Day V.2
Ice Optimists line up for the 2012 North American Championships on Pelican Lake in MN. Photo by Chris Clark
Wow..check out this gallery of photos shot by DNer Chris Clark from the Western Challenge.
Just A Perfect Day
The videos from the weekend's DN regatta are starting to be posted up to Youtube. Above is Minnesota sailor Jim McDonagh's video of a nice ride out to the race course.
Here's 4LIYC's and Team Madison DN sailor Dave Elsmo's contribution. Dave was the highest placing Madison boat in the Silver fleet at 5th with fellow Madisonian Frankie Hearn next to him in 6th.
November 30, 2012
Western Challenge Reports
Regatta Updates
Posted the Notice of Race for the 2013 International Skeeter Association Regatta and the 2013 Northwest Notice of Dues for clubs from ISA and NIYA Secretary Paul Krueger. You can find the ISA NOR on the Regatta page and also the ISA page. The NIYA Notice of Dues is accessible on the NIYA 100th Anniversary page.
Ready to Roll
Jim Nordhaus is ready for this weekend's regatta, the Western Challenge. Geoff Sobering's report here.
November 26, 2012
Northern Michigan Ice Boating Website
Jack and Kelly Jacobs have their ice boat website back up and running under a new name, the "...home of Northern Michigan Iceboating!! We will be reporting on and sailing the area lakes near Elk Rapids, Michigan. We will also have surrounding reports from ice scouters in Charlevoix, Boyne City and Traverse City."
Early Christmas on Christina
Via MN DNer Mike Bloom, "Pat Huttner is all smiles as he joined JD and the Doctor and sailed his new hull and mast on Lake Christina [in MN] last Sunday."
Art of Alignment
4LIYC DNer Daniel Hearn threw a runner alignment party on Sunday at his office in preparation for the first DN fun regatta of the season, the Western Challenge. Newly elected 4LIYC Commodore Don Anderson stopped by to learn how the DNs align their runners in comparison to the Renegades. Around a dozen Madison DNs and some Ice Optis are freshly aligned today ready for this week's trip to Lake Christina in Ashby, MN. The CNCd DN runner planks were in evidence all over the building along with some newly designed chocks.
Daniel Hearn, Don Anderson, and pizza.
Tim Sugar under pressure to apply those sail numbers just right.
November 23, 2012
Thankful
Hugh Sugar sent along this picture of his brother, Tim, in his living room workshop. Hugh wondered, "how many wives let you epoxy in the living room on Thanksgiving??"
Tim's wife, Darby, is an ice boater who 'gets it'. It's time to start closely watching the Minnesota website for JD's weekend sailing and ice reports.
November 18, 2012
"Christina Kicks"
Via Geoff Sobering straight from Minnesota Ice Maker Mark Keifer. Lake Christina has been the site of numerous
DN Western Challenges!
FIRST FIRST FIRST
November 14, 2012
Pics of Da One We've Been Waiting For...
Will Sand For Cupcakes
"Via 4LIYC DNer Mike Barnett,"Here's a shot from last night at the Spaight Street Syndicate. My 3 year old son, Oliver, came by and was helping Tim sand his new hull. Dan kept busy stuffing Oliver with cupcakes and lemonade, as well as finish sanding
his 2 new planks prior to priming and painting. Wes stopped by to deliver his "ultimate chocks" and we can't wait to try them out. Western Challenge here we come!
One more pic of Oliver 'testing' Tim's boat. Without prompting, he actually said, "This boat does not seem as fast as my Papa's boat." We'll have to get him in an Ice Opti soon!'"
November 12, 2012
SIBC Swap Meet & Beyond
Steve Schalk's Mead Batwing
There was much enthusiasm for the upcoming season at the Skeeter Ice Boat Club's 27th annual Swap Meet in Williams Bay, WI. Lots of talk about the upcoming "Challenges" in Minnesota, (the DN Western Challenge and the Skeeter Western Challenge) and the 100th anniversary celebration of the Northwest regatta. Over on the DN Forum, DN5449 likes what he's seeing in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Also a couple of Skeeter sailors who recently drove out to the Dakotas for a hunting trip reported that "it's starting" in Minnesota-ice on the ponds.
Jane Pegel presides over the annual raffle.
November 6, 2012
Jorge Update: Headin' Home
"This time we picked the other hotel in Dakhla, the Bab al Bahr. Definitely the better choice. Probably one of the last hot days ahead on our Journey. On our way to the airport we took enough Dirham from an ATM to pay for our fuel bills in Dakhla today and in Agadir tomorrow. If recalculated into Euros or Dollars at a fuel truck the given rates are usually not good. We passed security with no delay. "
Continue reading.
November 2, 2012
Tea Leaves
Hope!
NOAA has updated their winter forecast and looks favorable for a good ice boating season particularly in Minnesota and Wisconsin. "This is one of the most challenging outlooks we’ve produced in recent years because El Niño decided not to show up as expected."
Tip of the Helmet: Geoff Sobering
October 31, 2012
"Shrine to Sharpness"
"For the "it must be getting close to iceboat season..." file:
I just finished redoing the lights and wiring in my home shop. I also
build a very stable bench for my new Bob Rast runner sharpener.
Tonight I got everything together and did some work on a plate runner
that has been in need of attention for some time. It's going to be
great not having to head over to the Boatwerks on a Saturday night to
clean up a dinged runner, although I'll probably still do major
reshaping on the big machine there.
Cheers,
Geoff Sobering"
October 28, 2012
Joint Operations
Nordhaus Boatworks the Spaight St. Syndicate (with an assist from the Pewaukee (PISS) group) are working together to create ten new DN planks using CNC machining. Read more here.
October 24, 2012
Northwest Regatta:
Celebrating A Century of Ice Sailing
Via NIYA Commodore Greg Simon:
"Greetings Ice Yachting Enthusiasts:
The Northwest Ice Yachting Association will be hosting a special 100th year anniversary regatta January 18-20th, 2013. We ask for your presence at this historical event.
The Northwest regatta has been held for a century and throughout the years has attracted some of the most beautiful ice yachts ever produced. The majestic stern steerers, the sleek Skeeters and the classic one designs of the Renegade and DN classes will all be present to help usher in the next hundred years of iceboating."
Continue reading on the new Northwest 100 website.
October 18, 2012
Preparing Yourself for Cold Water
No matter how many years of ice boating experience you have, now is the time to start reviewing the information that can keep you safe. SIBC member Jane Pegel sends along a link to a bookmark worthy website that focuses on cold water survival, Cold Water Boot Camp USA. Their mission is to "educate the general public and first responders with preventative measures and rescue and recover and re-warm techniques should you be a victim, or find yourself in a position to rescue a cold water immersed victim." This website has a good collection of safety tips and links on the Ice Boat Safety page.
By the Numbers
There are quite a few ice boat shops in the 4LIYC. After making some plank modifications, hull numbers went on a DN last night at the Belle Isle Boatworks in anticipation of the upcoming season. The countdown clocks on the left sidebar of this website remind us there's only so many days until the DN Western Challenge and DN Skeeter Challenge.
October 4, 2012
Best. Season. Ever.
Here's some wishful thinking for WI and MN a highly accurate, predictable, and highly scientific graphic from Accuweather of this winter's snow fall forecast.
January 18, 2012
Help the Young Guns!
Dave Elsmo (Rick Hennig's nephew) is successfully recruiting
college age sailors into the sport of ice boating. In an effort to help his gang raise money for gas and repairs, he is making and selling customized runner bags.
"Each bag is a three-fold padded system that can be enclosed with Velcro, cinch or clip systems. I will customize each bag to sail numbers (large or small, Red or blue). These will not prevent edge damage from a fall like a hard case will, but they will do a good job in transit and out on the ice. $70 each. Please email to order or if you have any questions."
Dave's efforts are separate from his role as head of instruction at Hoofers and head sailing coach at the University of Wisconsin but his ties to the Midwest Collegiate Sailing association and young sailors through Hoofers makes it easy for him to find enthusiastic sailors.
"I have a list of 15+ college sailors from the team alone who have expressed a deep desire to try this. Sailors who are highly competitive and safe. My problem will never be finding bodies, it's always finding boats.
Iceboating fulfills all my wants and needs for excitement travel and camaraderie.
The deal I made with my uncle was he wanted more guys and girls my age and younger to get into the sport, hence the reason he bought me Jane Pagels old trailer.
Since then I have traveled with a full load of boats and a crew of my college sailors. I have every intention of continuing this trend as it breaks down my cost and makes the trip more fun!
Currently we have a loaner boat, a dormant DNer from 4LIYC. If you know of anybody send them my way. I will store it on the trailer covered when not in use. Not looking for anything particularly fast either. I have an extra carbon spar sail and runners (can build a boom) to get it up to speed.
I can't say enough about the DN fleet in all seriousness. I have been sailing competitively around the United States since I was 12 and no fleet comes even close to the level of togetherness and helpfulness that the DN fleet shares. Heck, we broke down 4 times [at the DN Western Regional] this weekend and people pitched in to get our boats up and sailing again before the next race........every time!"
December 23, 2011
4LIYC Patches
Now you can customize your red blazer, jacket, hat, vest, and more with this 2 1/2" diameter high quality embroidered patch with the new 4LIYC logo. It's only $6 which includes shipping to US addresses. Order yours today with Paypal. You can use your credit card if you don't have a Paypal account.
December 15, 2011
NEW! 4LIYC HATS IN STOCK
Just in time for the gift giving season, a new shipment of 4LIYC baseball style and knit caps have arrived with a new logo designed by Greg Whitehorse. Both baseball and knit hats are $25 and include shipping to US residents. You can buy with Paypal either using your Paypal account or your credit card. UPDATE: Yes, the logo and text are embroidered!
6 Panel Twill Baseball Hats with Embroidered Logo
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Knit Hats with Embroidered Logo
Black not pictured
Champions of Ice Boating
Posters Series
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Via Peter Fauerbach: "Jack Ripp posters orders are coming in... $120 donated to the Ice Opti’s – junior sailing group in the first few days ! Take a look at all the posters. You might need all 3!
Click here to read more.
Posters Available – Funds got to Support the junior sailing program.
When you purchase an autographed poster you will be contributing $20 to the junior iceboating group – Ice Optis.
Please consider ordering an autographed poster to help support and encourage the youth of our sport.
Ordering options:
All iceboaters receive a special poster price of $5 for an un-autographed poster
Un-signed poster #3 – Jack Ripp $5
Add an un-signed poster #1 – Ron Sherry $5
Add an unsigned poster#2 – Bill Mattison $5
Autographed Jack Ripp poster: $25 ($20 of which is gifted to Ice Optis)
Add a black aluminum frame kit without the 11 x 17 glass - adds $12
We do have a few remaining signed posters for poster #1 Ron Sherry
and poster #2 Bill Mattison.
Additional costs:
Shipping print(s) only in a tube adds - $5 to 48 States.
Shipping print(s) with a frame kit in a tube - $10 to 48 States.
Ways to order:
Contact me email request a total & then send a personal check
or use my Paypal account: Fauerbach@ameritech.net
Thank you for your help and support!