Nite Nationals is Officially Called ON for Fond Du Lac, WI on Jan. 25-26, 2025
Register: https://niteracing.org/regatta/yzARFOo7po
Must be a member to register: https://theclubspot.com/renew-interstitial/oFVGl1wW09
9 am CDT Skippers Meeting Saturday Jan. 25
10 am 1st Race Saturday Jan. 25 2025
Launch:
Lake: Lake Winnebago, Fond Du Lac WI
Address: 6081 Cemetery Road Van Dyne, WI 54979.
We will be sharing the Pit area with the Northwest regatta sailors. To get to the Pit are, you need to cross an ice bridge. To do so, only 1 vehicle at at time and drive slowly. Please do not rush. These bridges are owned and operated by a local fishing club.
Max 8 races
Gold (experienced) Fleet
Silver (beginner) Fleet
This will be a unique opportunity to share the ice with the Northwest Regatta.
Hotels:
Comfort Inn – 77 Holiday Lane Fond Du Lac, WI ICE BOATERS Special $ 82.00/ night
Talk to Michell 920-933-1159
Holiday Inn Express – 55 Holiday Lane
Fond Du Lac, WI $129.00 920-322-0460
Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club Meeting Tonight! The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club is meeting tonight, and we’re going hybrid! You can join us in person at S/B Marketing (Daniel Hearn’s office) or via Zoom. Details:
Date: January 22, 2025 Location: S/B Marketing, 1352 E Wilson St., Madison, WI Time:6:30 PM Zoom: Club members in good standing should have received an email with the Zoom link.
There’s lots to talk about with all this incredible ice and upcoming regattas—don’t miss it!
Northwest Home Page UPDATE: Launch information has been updated
Via Northwest Ice Yachting Association Regatta Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk:
The 2025 NIYA Regatta is called on for Fond Du Lac, January 24th, 25th and 26th, with the final call at noon Wednesday January 22nd. Launch ramp will be finalized prior to Wednesday noon. It will be in the southeast corner of the lake somewhere between the Fond Du Lac Yacht Club and the Sunset Bar. Stay tuned for launch site updates on Wednesday, January 22.
The ice condition is excellent and the wind and temperature appear to be cooperating – pretty much optimal in all respects for an epic Northwest Championship.
The Oshkosh Public Museum recently shared a photo on its Facebook page that immediately caught the attention of Lake Winnebago stern-steerer sailor Andy Gratton. He quickly identified the boats:
“The closest boat is the MISS MADISON from Madison and still exists at the Iceboating Foundation in Madison with two other historic boats. I am fairly certain the second boat is the PRINCESS II, also from Madison, owed by Emil Fauerbach. The furthest boat is the FLYING DUTCHEMEN, originally owned by the Van Dyke brothers of Milwaukee. John Buckstaff acquired the boat at some time and frequently raced it. That boat is currently on the ice in front of the Fond du Lac Yacht Club. owned by Dave Lallier and Dave Whealon.”
Through further digging, ice sailing history expert Henry Bossett tracked down a newspaper article that aligns with the era and context of the photo. It’s likely from the 1930 Hearst Trophy Regatta on Lake Winnebago. In this event, Buckstaff and his crew, sailing FLYING DUTCHMEN , defended and won the trophy in light air conditions. MISS MADISON appears largely unchanged and has now joined the collection of historic iceboats at the Iceboat Foundation. As for PRINCESS II, the mystery of her fate remains unsolved.
Speaking of Tim McCormick in the previous post, this beautiful pencil sketch, created by Greg Whitehorse, captures Tim sailing his Renegade AIM on Lake Monona. Thank you, Greg, for this thoughtful piece of art that keeps Tim’s memory alive.
