4LIYC Racing Tentatively Called on for Lake Monona – March 1-2

by | Feb 28, 2025 | 2024-2025, Home Page

BLADE RUNNER

4LIYC racing is tentatively called on for Lake Monona out of Olin Park.  The first race kicks off at 10 AM on Saturday, March 1.
Important: We have entered spring-sailing conditions. NO trailers on the ice – boats MUST be carried on. The landing is deteriorating, so please do everything you can to save the landing. We will monitor the landing situation and provide an updated report at the end of today.

FRITZ Heads to Minnetonka

by | Feb 26, 2025 | Home Page, WSSA

FRITZ ARCHIVES
After 25 years of stewardship, Fred Stritt has passed the helm of the historic Class A stern-steerer FRITZ to a new caretaker. The iconic iceboat, built by Carl Bernard, has found a new home on Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota.
Fred shared his thoughts on the transition on the Midwest Hardwater Sailing Facebook page:

FRITZ is an incredible machine—smooth in light air, exhilarating in medium air, and on the edge of terrifying in heavy air. She’s like hanging onto the tail of a dinosaur—if they want you gone, you’ll be flicked off and flying! Congratulations to Bill and his group and I look forward to seeing Fritz blossom under your guardianship!

Some History:
The Class A stern-steerer FRITZ, built by Carl Bernard, roared into iceboating legend as a Madison, Wisconsin icon. Owned by Frederick Jungbluth and sailed by Bernard, FRITZ achieved an extraordinary feat in 1934, winning all four major trophies—the Stuart Cup, Hearst International Trophy, Northwest Class A, and Northwest free-for-all—in a single year, a record unmatched at the time. FRITZ was a powerhouse, and her victories were celebrated in the Wisconsin State Journal and beyond.
Tragedy struck in 1935 when a mysterious fire—suspected to be arson—destroyed FRITZ and her companion, Miss Alice in Madison. Yet FRITZ endured, and Carl rebuilt her after the fire; she was painted bright red to honor her survival. By 1948, with Bill Mattison crewing for 18-year-old Jim Lunder, she reclaimed the Northwest Class A title on Geneva Lake. Please see the FRITZ archives for more history on this boat.

Fritz List 1
Fritz List 2
Fritz And Mary B At Edgewater Corrected
MARY B and FRITZ at the Edgewater on Lake Mendota,
Fritz Plus Dutchman And B11
Jungbluthandtetzlaff
Fritz Jungbluth

 

Regatta Watch: 2025 ISA & Renegade Championship Postponed to March 7 – 9

by | Feb 26, 2025 | Home Page, ISA, Regattas, Renegade

Photo: Kevin Chapman

ISA HOMEPAGE

The ISA Race Committee has postponed the regatta to March 7-9, 2025.. The weather forecast of high temperatures and high winds for February 28th made it impossible to predict the ice condition for the following two days, and the Sunday wind forecast made it unlikely to get two race days in any case.

The forecast ahead looks very promising for both Lake City (24” of ice) and Madison (18” of ice). Temperatures go to 40 degree highs with mid 20 degree lows, with at least half of each 24 hours below freezing.

Both locations will be sailed and thoroughly checked prior to March 7th. We have a good chance for a solid three day regatta this time, so check your equipment and sharpen your runners. Next update is Sunday, March 2, 2025.

Steve Schalk

Secretary/Treasurer

International Skeeter Association

Regatta Watch: 2025 ISA & Renegade Championship Called ON for Lake City, MN

by | Feb 23, 2025 | 2025 ISA & Renegade Championship, Home Page, ISA, Regattas, Renegade

Photo: Will Johnston

The 2025 ISA and Renegade Championship are on for Lake City, Minnesota for Friday February 28th, Saturday March 1st and Sunday March 2nd 2025. The ice thickness is over 18 inches of smooth black stuff.

The snow cover is now an average of 2” but it will likely be gone by the time the Wednesday check is done, based on the forecast temperatures upcoming.

The final call will be made by noon Wednesday February 26th. Next update will be Wednesday, February 26.

Steve Schalk

Secretary/Treasurer

International Skeeter Association

4LIYC Racing Scores Now Published

by | Feb 20, 2025 | 2024-2025, Home Page

Renegades on Lake Monona. Photo: Marcus Berghahn

The racing scores for the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club are now available online. A big thank you to Damien Luyet, who has stepped up to handle score tabulation this season. His efforts ensure we can all track the results from our latest races.

Check out the scores here  Stay tuned for more racing updates as the season progresses!