June 29, 2009
Don Ward & Rosemary
From the 1992 Northwest Ice Yacht Racing Association Regatta sailed on Lake Winnebago, Oshkosh, WI. Don Ward was a legendary ice boater on Winnebago and rarely tipped the Rosemary.
Summer Time Is Shop Time
Jack Jacobs and the crew at Elk Lake in Michigan have been building a composite mast during the off season. Lots of detailed pictures here.
June 14, 2009
4LIYC Kids On the Soft Water
More photos here.
"Forty years after 4LIYC legends Bill and Mike McCormick, David Rosten, Bill Hanson, and Jerry Simon set up their boats on Warner Bay for a cold winter's day of iceboating, their grandchildren gathered at the lake for Opti sailing. Friday evening, June 12, kids ranging in age from 4 to 14 came down to Warner Bay for the first night of Opti sailing. The very light winds were perfect for the novice sailors and it wasn't long before a water balloon and squirt gun battle ensued. In total there were about 35 kids and parents enjoying the lake which included Bill Sr., Jamie, Billy, and Micah Hanson; Kyle, Liz, Tyler, and Kalie Metzloff; Greg, Tami, Jenny, Kelsa, and Kylie McCormick;
Tim, Aimee, Katie, and Molly McCormick; David, Tera, and Bryn Ostby; Ron and Thor Rosten ;Lon and Donna Schoor; Bev, Kristin, Brian and Jacob Semmann;
Greg, Hope, Meta and Fritz Simon; Rhona Arries and Jeff Russell; Robert Krebs."
Greg Simon
More photos here.
Bruce Thompson's "On Edge"
Win this fine art poster!
Lake Geneva fine art photographer Bruce Thompson is working on a new image album entitled "On Edge" that will will be releasing this summer. His son, Ben, isworking on the internet side of things while Bruce is busy creating the images. Ben writes that the idea id to create a selection of Bruce's best images that showcase the unique sport of iceboating that we all love. Ben is working on a completely new website design for thompsonsfineart.com due at the release of the album and has opened up a fan page on Facebook.
Ben writes, "The response on the Facebook page has been great and people from all over the country have started responding to the images...most of the fans live in warm climates and have never seen an iceboat before. We sparked the interest of one fan and he is now contacting a local iceboat club he never knew existed. We look forward to talking to you in the near future and will keep you posted as we move along with our project."
June 9, 2009
PK In The News
Read more from midget driver, Kevin Olson, writing about 4LIYC Skeeter skipper, Paul Krueger.
June 2, 2009
Ice Opti News
Read Daniel Hearn's latest offering, Keeping It Simple here.
Boat Works Report
You can't have too many of them....
April 27, 2009
Banquet Photos Posted
Photos from Saturday's 4LIYC Awards Banquet are now posted. The club would like to acknowledge those who donated items for our raffle including Jim Gluek who donated several large bags, Glass Nickel Pizza, Don Anderson's Boat House, and Harken Yacht Equipment.
UPDATE: Wes Wilcox, Paul McMillan, and Don Sanford also contributed raffle prizes.
Bill Korsgard Honored At Banquet
Ingrid & Dena Korsgard with Geoff Sobering
Dena and Ingrid Korsgard accept the Jim Payton Service Award on behalf of Bill Korsgard at Saturday night's award banquet. Bill, who passed away last fall, contributed his time in many different ways to help the club including serving as trophy chair for many years, amassing a large collection of vintage ice boat postcards, and designing and sailing remote control ice boats.
April 26, 2009
Webmaster Receives The Giant Check
"Why yes, it's real!"
We had a great time at the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club's annual Spring Awards Banquet last night at Kennedy Manor. I was surprised with a large check signed by Treasurer Jerry Simon in honor of this website's millionth hit.
And it's very fitting that outgoing Commodore Geoff Sobering was that millionth visitor. Congratulations, Geoff. You get half of the million. [However, club members will have to approve a rather significant dues hike in order for us to cash the check.]
April 22, 2009
Over One Million Served
As of Wednesday morning, April 22, this site is less than one thousand hits away from one million individual page views. During the height of the season, we receive between one thousand and fifteen hundred individual hits per day. We still receive about three to four hundred hits per day in the off season. If you happen to notice that you are the person to reach one million on the counter in the left sidebar, let me know.
April 16, 2009
A Tale of Two Trophies
"[Here are] some photos of a trophy that Spark Lundberg made and has donated to the Skeeter IBC. Beginning with the 2009-2010 season it will be awarded to the DN with the best score in the Saturday and Sunday Series combined.
The trophy is the Calamity Jane Trophy and is a replica of my DN and is built to scale. Spark carved the hull with skipper from one piece of wood and then the sail/mast/boom/ from another piece of wood. The sail, mast, and plank are formed as in a sailing mode. The rigging and runners are sterling silver. The clear ice upon which the the boat is sailing is detailed with runner tracks.
It is absolutely a gorgeous piece of work and I feel honored that Spark made this effort.
...Jane Pegel"
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In other trophy news, Kelly and Jack Jacobs dig into the origins of the Renegade Master trophy.
April 14, 2009
Historic Photos on the SSIYC Website
Marv Luck sends word that a small part of his collection of historic ice boating photos are posted on the World Famous South Side Ice Yacht Club's website. Photos include a few shots of Madison boats and other well known stern-steerers.
April 12, 2009
PK's Back In The Shop
Paul Krueger is building a skeeter mast for Ken Whitehorse. Paul writes, "Thanks to Ken, I am back working on ice boats where I worked on my race cars 50 years ago."
Here's a photo of two of Paul's midget race cars dating from the 1960s. Interesting to note that the photo was taken just a few steps away from the above photo.
More: History of Badger Midget Auto Racing Association
(Paul has served as a BMARA official for many years.)
April 4, 2009
Ice Opti Slide Show
Daniel Hearn put together a great slide show from this season's North American Ice Opti events.
Sailors Social Big Success
Tuesday evening's first annual Madison-area Sailors Social was a big success. Upstairs at the Blue Moon was packed with sailors including many new faces looking for crewing opportunities. Thanks to Carolyn Curry of the Mendota Yacht Club for organizing this very fun event.
 Peter & Carolyn |
 John & Mimi |
 John & Grant |
 Libby & Tim |
March 30, 2009
Who Said This?
"I have been sailing ice boats for 28 years. This seems hard to believe even for myself because I am only 35 years old." Answer here.
March 20, 2009
Ace of Spades Spring Sail
Via John Hayashi: "
Here are some pics of Jim Gluek and Mike Peters on Lake Winnebago on Thursday. The two of them sure got Mike's boat the Ace of Spades flying. The ice was rough but there was a good breeze and the temp was pretty cold by the time we starting sailing. At this point do we hear the singing?"
[Ed. Answer: Not this week!]
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March 18, 2009
And More Photos...
Photo Credit: Tammy Sawyer
IRIYA Champion Don Anderson's Renegade with Tim McCormick at the helm. Tammy Sawyer joined us at Green Lake on Saturday and shot quite a few pictures. You can see them all on her website.
A few more have been added to the IRIYA section of the ISA page including this one of Jay Yaeso. Just keep scrolling.
Tom Nichols sends photos of ISA winners and a cautionary photo essay that involves Budweiser.
March 17, 2009
IRIYA Photos
On the the Green Lake County Inquisitor blog.
Tip of the Helmet: John Hayashi
ISA Photos
Photo Credit: Jeff Smith
To see more photos of the ISA, take a look at Jeff's Smugmug gallery.
More Ice Opti Centrals Photos
Pickin' and grinnin'
Here are some more photos from the Ice Opti Centrals by Daniel Hearn.
DN & Ice Opti Central Regionals
Via John Russell: "The Central Regionals DN race was finally held on Saturday, March 14, 2009 on Elk Lake, MIchigan.
There were four Gold Fleet races, four Silver Fleet races, and the Opti Centrals ran the third series of three races before warming ice and sunshine shortened the day.
Matt Struble won the Central, with Griffin Sherry winning the Opti Centrals. A total of nine Optis raced, along with eighteen Gold Fleet and nineteen Silver Fleet DNs.
Results
Photo Credits: John Russell
 DN Centrals Champion Matt Struble |
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 Opti Centrals Champion Griffin Sherry |
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March 13, 2009
DN Western Regional Reports
Geoff Sobering will be posting reports from Lake Pepin here.
March 12, 2009
IRIYA & Nite Western ISA News
There won't be much posted on this home page over the next three days. Keep up with all the action at the IRIYA and Nite Western ISA here.
Nite Western ISA Called ON
The Nite Class has called on their Western ISA Regatta for March 13, 14, 15, 2009 in Green Lake. The Nites will be alternating with the Renegades on the same course.
Click here to download a pdf file with more information.
March 11, 2009
DN Westerns ON for Lake Pepin
For March 14-15. More information on the DN Forum.
IRIYA Regatta Called ON for Green Lake, WI
The International Renegade Ice Yachting Association Regatta is called on for Green Lake, WI for March 13, 14, 15, 2009. Lake access is the east side of Green Lake, Sunset Park on Cnty Hwy A. Lodging information here.
Map to launch access.
St. Paul Winter Carnival Gallery
Here are some great photos shot by Geoff Sobering from the St. Paul Winter Carnival event in Minnesota last January.
March 10, 2009
Bonus Days on Canyon Ferry
Via Vicki Gluek: "
[Here's] a few pictures of the 3/7/09 'bonus' day of boating. We went to the lake to skate, not expecting wind, and then it blew a steady 20-25 mph all afternoon. The pictures are of Dale Llivezey and Dave Gluek."
UPDATE: Been getting some emails about Dale Livesey's bendy J-boat mast. Yes, it's a Ron Sherry Composite Concepts mast.
March 9, 2009
Ice Opti & DN Jr World Championship
Sailed March 5-7 in Sweden. Nice set of photos here on Scuttlebutt.
Tip of the Helmet: Jane Pegel
A Look Back At Gull Lake, MI
Here are some Gull Lake vintage shots (link originally posted on the J14 Message Board) from what looks to be a Northwest Ice Yachting Association Regatta and what possibly could be the first IDNIYRA Gold Cup event. The pictures were uploaded by Bill Sikkma of Gull Lake and came from his grandfather,Jim LaRose, who lived on Gull from 1948-1972 and loved ice boating. Jane & Bob Pegel identified many of the boats in the photos and I have included Jane's commentary below the photos.
See the entire set of photos here. 
"In this photo Renegade 38 was James May and
Renegade 6 was Nubb Sarns. His wife, Dorie, also raced in the women's division.
I-551 was Jack Vilas.
I-M is Buddy's father, Harry C. Melges, Sr.
The tiny minature skeeter in the background that has no sail number was "Pink Pink" that Howard Boston built for his children to sail. Spike was the first Boston child to sail in the boat. I believe he was five or six years old at the time.
I-39 was George Kiefer, Jr."
"This photo with Skeeters on the line:
F-43 is a 20' Mead sailed by Abby Brown from Fox Lake, IL. Renegade 13 is Doug Provost,
Renegade 42 is Kermit Swanson.
To windward of E-12 might be I-5. I-5 was Tom Jones from Fontana. His brother was Mel Jones, a sailmaker.
Renegade 1 is Elmer Millenbach,
IOU is Bill Perrigo from Pewaukee in a 22 ft. Mead tandem,
U-666 is Michael Johnston from Lake Winnebago, and
I-22 was Jack Vilas. He also sailed with I-551.
F-390 was Bill Reier."
"
In this photo of DNs lined up, I see in the background #2451, this was Bill Allen from Lake Minnetonka, MN. Bill sailed with Buddy when they won the Olympic gold in the Soling class. #666 is Spike Boston, Skip's younger brother. Spike has a sail loft in Sarnia, Ontario.
On the line I recognize #2244, Ken Mowbray, who was a member of the Skeeter IBC.
#7 was Russ Johnson from the Detroit area. He also raced a box style Skeeter.
The sail number 000 I think is Harold LeBeau. His number was DN 2000. Harold lived next door to Howard and Lolly Boston, on Lake St. Clair. Now his son, Leon LeBeau uses #2000. Leon and his family now live in the old family house on Lake St. Clair.
You'll notice the small rectangular sailmaker's label on many of the DN sails. That was the Kenneth A. Nelson Company. Bob Pegel and Ken Nelson were business partners, making sails in Chicago."
"If this photo is from the Worlds at Gull Lake, that was the first Gold Cup event in 1973. The winner was Ain Vilde from Estonia. Randy Johnson from Gull Lake placed second. Jan Gougon was third. Russ Johnson was fourth. Helmut Leppik from Estonia was fifth. Wim Van Acker from Holland was the top senior skipper and Bobby Redner from Cass Lake, MI was the top Junior."
Ice Opti News
Lemberg V
3.0
There's a new Opti sailor in Indiana. More here.
March 5, 2009
Nordhaus Elected to Honor Roll
Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club Renegader Jim Nordhaus was unanimously elected to the Club's Honor Roll at last night's meeting. Congratulations Jim!
More NIYA Photos
Photo Credit: Andy Kretschmer
More photos have been added to the Northwest Ice Yachting Association Regatta page. Take a look here.
March 4, 2009
Mendota Sailing
Ice boating is an excusable absence
The Simon family and Ben Sugar played hooky and sailed Mendota on Tuesday. Check out the photos here.
March 3, 2009
The Second Rule
Frankie Hearn sees some shop time
Frankie Hearn practicing the second rule of iceboating:
You break it, you fix it." Rule #1: Never sail alone.
DN Western Challenge Video
Cleaning up the inbox this morning. Here's a link to the Good Morning America video on the DN Western Challenge featuring among others, 4LIYC Opti Skipper Sheridan Hearn.
March 2, 2009
Country Woman Flicker
Mark Tregilgas sends a link to a video shot of the stern-steerer "Country Woman" (formerly a Lake Winnebago boat) as she navigates White Bear Lake in MN at 50-60MPH. Watch her hike up and spinout in real time and slow-motion. The action starts at 5:30.
Aerial Kite Cam at NIYA
Fritz and Taku
Aerial kite photographer Craig Wilson paid a vist to the NIYA on Saturday, February 28, 2009. Find his photos here on his Flickr page.
Nite Nationals Report
Photos, report, and top ten finishing scores here.
Meanwhile, Back In Madison...
Sometimes they get a mind of their own....
There was some club activity on Lake Monona on Sunday. Photos and reports here.
NIYA Awards Photos
Chuck's Panorama
Photos from the awards ceremony now posted.
March 1, 2009
NIYA Wrap Up
Busted...
Be sure to check the NIYA Regatta page for continuing updates and photos.
Congratulations to all the winners of the 2009 Northwest Ice Yachting Association Regatta:
DN Class-Steve Orlebeke,
Renegade-Greg McCormick,
A Skeeter-Dan Clapp,
B-Skeeter-Steve Schalk,
Stern Steerer Overall-Erich Schloemer,
A Stern Steerer Erich Schloemer
C Stern Steerer-Jeff Seeboth,
D Stern Steerer-Chip Sawyer.
Nite Nats Update
UPDATE #2: They sailed four more races today.
4LIYC member
Grant Frautschi won the regatta!
Photos and preliminary standings here.
February 25, 2009
NIYA Regatta Called ON for Geneva in Fontana, WI
The Northwest Ice Yachting Association Regatta is called on for Geneva Lake in Fontana, WI for February 27, 28, March 1, 2009. Lodging, banquet, and NIYA information is posted here.
February 24, 2009
Ice Boating's Original
"Extreme Trailer"!
Photo Credit: Jeff Smith
Check out Dan Clapp's latest creation here.
Tip of the Helmet: Henry Bossett
WSSA Regatta Report
The Evening Wisconsin Trophy
Photos, results, and more here.
February 22, 2009
New Order of 4LIYC Hats In Stock
Baseball
Knit (stretched a bit to accomodate his ears)
We just replenished our hat inventory again. Available in baseball and knit and red or black. They are $20 which includes shipping and handling to US addresses. Order one with Paypal!
February 17, 2009
Downwind to New York
By Don Sanford
Thirty years ago this week, 4LIYC iceboaters sailed from Madison to icebound New York (this was in the era of global cooling) on an ice checking mission and a once-in-a-lifetime photo op.
As I recall, 1979 had not been the best for local conditions. Midwestern iceboaters were getting desperate for some sailable conditions. Rumors had been flying about a huge glacier that had formed just east of Madison...
Continue reading.
Sunday Racing on Lake Mendota
February 14, 2009
Mendota Racing Report
4LIYC preferred by two out of two cats.
Text Report From Geoff Sobering: "Racing Done"
It's official, Ron Sherry won the DN North American Championship regatta!
February 13, 2009
Report from Mendota
Surprise!
Click here for today's sailing report.
February 12, 2009
Harken Video:
Three Kings of Ice Boating
From Charlotte at Harken: "You gotta love iceboaters, you simply gotta. And here’s your chance to listen to three kings of the ice. Get the inside scoop on this X-treme sport from master speedsters Buddy Melges, Peter Harken, and Bill Mattison in their freewheeling Q & A held at the Chicago Strictly Sail Boat Show."
Video: DN Gold Cup Race 2 on Torch
Here's an eleven minute video shot by "oneguyfromdetroit" from the second DN Gold Cup race where he was parked at the weather mark.
February 9, 2009
Matt Struble Wins Gold Cup!
Via Jane Pegel: "DN Commodore John Harper phoned me about one hour ago. The DN Gold Cup has been concluded and Matt Struble has again successfully defended his championship."
February 8, 2009
DN Gold Cup: Day One Photos
Photo Credit: John Russell
German DN skipper Andreas Seeger.
February 1, 2009
Strictly the Deuce, DN, Ice Opti, Harken, Mattison, Melges, Nite, Renegade, Skeeter, Etc.
Photos and a report from Strictly Sail Chicago here.
January 29, 2008
Video: Deuce at Strictly Sail
Harken, Mattison, & Melges at Strictly Sail in Chicago
Presentation on Saturday, January 31, at 10:00
Strictly Sail Chicago is at Navy Pier from January 29 through February 1, 2009. Harken’s Need For Speed display will feature ice boats from Ice Optis up to the Deuce. To add to the event, Buddy Melges, Peter Harken & Bill Mattison will be giving a presentation on Saturday, January 31st at 10:00.
Their informal talk (in the Harken display) will focus on the history & construction of iceboats, and knowing these three, they will have lots of entertaining stories to share. Buddy Melges is a seven-time Skeeter Iceboat World Champion. Peter Harken is the co-founder of Harken Yacht Equipment, the father of the ball-bearing block, and iceboater for over 40 years, Bill Mattison is a builder and racer of innovative iceboats for decades For more info on the boatshow, visit Strictly Sail's website.
January 19, 2008
Mattison's Magic
Jerry Simon and a young Greg Simon.
By Jerry Simon, Renegade #113
It was the 1977 Northwest regatta. I cruised into Lake Geneva sporting my new natural-sided Renegade on top of my new car-top rack. I was trying hard to follow Elmer’s regatta agenda. He always had a new sporty-looking Thunderbird that he and Cora Lee traveled in with the boat on top. Never mind that my car was a Country Estate Chevrolet Station Wagon built for a family. Elmer would pull up to the pit area in his sporty car, Cora Lee in her black and white spotted coat and perfectly coiffed hair, Elmer in his red flannel shirt with a white turtleneck and a leather sheep-skinned aviator helmet. He was the coolest and fastest guy on the ice, and I was determined to be just like him. Continue reading.
January 17, 2008
1975 ISA Revisited
January 8, 2008
Fauerbach Brewing Poster Update
Fauerbach Brewery Supports Junior Ice Sailing Development
Click to enlarge
Peter Fauerbach announced that 50 copies of the first Limited Edition “Champions of Iceboating” Poster featuring Ron Sherry, will be available personally signed by the legend himself.
"We have collected $250 for the NAIORA Ice Opti in the first three weeks. 25% of the $1000 goal. Daniel Hearn is taking posters to the DN Western Regionals Regatta."
The additional cost will be $20 with all proceeds going to support the North American Ice Opti Racing Association. The NAIORA is the Junior ice sailing development class for North America. To order, contact Peter at fauerbach@ameritech.net.
Fauerbach Brewing Company
Celebrates
Iceboating Champions
Iceboating Champions Poster Series
First Champion - Ron Sherry
13 major victories in DN and Renegade Class Iceboats
Special price for ice boaters!
11" x 17"
Unframed (unsigned) $5 plus shipping US
Framed (unsigned) $20 plus shipping US
(Framed item includes poster in tube mailer w/ flat black aluminum frame pieces and hardware pieces,no glass.)
Bulk discounts available for clubs
Contact Peter Fauerbach to purchase poster.
January 5, 2008
Photos From Tim Stanton
Greg Simon downwind, Photo Credit: Tim Stanton
The crazy guy who was holding the weather mark during the DN race on Saturday was Renegader Tim Stanton. Tim was taking photos at the mark during the Renegade race when the mark was hit. His Renegade photos are posted here.
January 3, 2008
PM Racing Report
Update: Check out more of Craig Wilson's photos from today's sailing.
Who is that crazy guy holding the mark for the DN race after it came down in the Renegade race?
Photo Credit: Craig Wilson, Kite Cam Photographer
THREE OF THREE
2009 is starting off as a great year for ice boating as we've sailed every day of the year and hope to continue the streak tomorrow. The wind was fresh and the boats were fast. Greg Simon and John Dennis won all four of their races in the Renegade and DN classes respectively.
Look for more photos to be posted later.
Friday's photos now posted.
January 2, 2009
PM Update:
4LIYC Club Racing called ON for 1-3
10 AM Start
Grand Slam Canceled
Frankie Hearn
After a slow morning start, DNs and Renegades were able to scrub race on Monona today. The drifts in the pits were rock hard but weren't as bad out on the racing course. While the ice isn't regatta worthy because of the drifts, DNs, Renegades, Optis, and Nites were able to sail with no problems. Frankie Hearn in his Opti and Joye Ebert in her DN were the first to sail the ice this morning. I'll have more photos later.
January 1, 2009
Bloody Mary Classic A Real Classic
Don Anderson wins the fabled Bloody Mary Eye Opener
Bill Dale's new land-sailor conversion
Note of Thanks
From Bill & Mauretta Mattison:
Please extend our most sincere appreciation for the "Decommissioning Party" the 4LIYC and MYC hosted. By our count 82 people braved the weather to wish Bill well. Thanks to all for their caring!
Bill and Mauretta"
December 25, 2008
Willy St. Decommissioning Party Photos Now Posted
The Godfathers of Ice
December 21, 2008
So Long to the Willy St. Boat Shop
Photo Credit: Geoff Sobering
On this first official day of winter, sailors from around Wisconsin gather for one last time for a Decommissioning party at Bill Mattison's Williamson Street Boat Shop. Look for more photos and video on Monday.
December 9, 2008
End of An Era
December 8, 2008
DN Great Western Challenge Reports
4LIYC Commodore and DN skipper, Geoff Sobering, is making the trip to the GWT along with Wes Wilcox and the 4LIYC Opti contingent of Daniel, Frank, and Sheridan Hearn. As he has in the past, Geoff will be sending photos and reports as time allows. Follow the action here.