Winter may be coming to an end, but not yet for the 2024 Northwest Regatta on Lake Waconia in Minnesota. Some rough ice for iceboating but good winds and weather. The Northwest is the oldest ice sailing regatta in North America dating back to 1913. The DN Class North American Championship begins on Monday, 2/25/24. Great to have this event in Waconia, Minnesota.
Aerial segments filmed with a Mavic 3, edited and color graded with Vegas. Portions of the film have been sped up to compress the time over the vast distances with adjustments to lighting for effect. Flown within visual flight ranges, max altitude 400ft AGL across Minnesota. Music by Christopher Dennis Coleman “Vesper”, CHPTRS “Last Chance, “You Will Find Me” courtesy of the Musicbed.
We have an exciting update regarding our upcoming club meeting. In light of recent events, we have rescheduled the meeting initially planned for February 28 to Wednesday, March 6. This adjustment will allow us to gather at Four Lakes Yacht Club and celebrate our club members’ recent achievements at the Northwest Regatta.
We have much to celebrate, including Ken Whitehorse’s E Skeeter Championship, Doug Kolner’s 2nd Place Renegade finish, and Bob Cummins’ 3rd place in the DN fleet. The club will provide pizza and drinks for everyone to enjoy as we celebrate the achievements of our members. Remember, the meeting of Wednesday, February 28, 2024 is canceled and rescheduled for March 6.
WHAT TO KNOW:
4LIYC MEETING
Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Four Lakes Yacht Club
6312 Inland Way, Monona, WI
Parking: There is a public parking ramp across the street from the Yacht Club
RESULTS
Congratulations to all participants of the Northwestern Yachting Association Regatta! Thank you for your dedication and passion for the sport as you competed in North America’s oldest ice sailing regatta, a tradition that began in 1913.
The wind never fully cooperated Sunday morning, leading to a challenging waiting game. The regatta was called complete Sunday at 11 AM by NIYA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who contributed to the regatta’s success, from those who scouted for ice, set courses and starting blocks to those who assisted with off-site tabulating, including Ann Foeller and Mary Jane Schalk.
Northwest DN champion Robin Lagraviere, alongside his fellow Canadians Nicholas Mabboux and Jacek Marzenski, were notably absent as they were out on the course training for the upcoming DN North American Championship, set to begin on Lake Waconia today, Monday February 26. Follow the action here.
NIYA B Skeeter First Place – Jim McDonagh – Photo: Kevin Barta
The 2024 International Skeeter Association Regatta is postponed until March 8 – 10. Hoping for a cool down after next weekend’s forecasted warm temperatures. Next update, Sunday, March 3, 2024.
Day two of the 2024 Northwest Regatta brought clear, sunny skies, ideal conditions for a day filled with races and camaraderie on Lake Waconia in Minnesota. As the day progressed, the race committee concluded the day’s activities earlier than planned in light of the building winds.
Mike Peters and ACE OF SPADES
Ken Whitehorse tells the story of the when Buddy pulled out a bottle of Cutty Sark out of his jacket at Northwest. John Davis is on the plank. John has been attending the Northwest since 1954.
A highlight of the day was the presentation of the esteemed Bottle Trophy to the deserving crew of the C Stern Steerer ACE OF SPADES, helmed by Mike Peters and Terry Reynolds. In his eloquent speech, Ken Whitehorse shared the rich history of the trophy, first sponsored by the legendary Buddy Melges. Mike Peters and ACE OF SPADES with crew Terry Reynolds carry on the bottle trophy legacy this year.