Here’s a big picture ice report from the Lake Geneva area via Jane Pegel
Iceboaters.
Here are lakes Geneva and Como in spectacular photos and videos contributed by Peter Shumway 1-27-2018.
Be aware that there are also open areas hidden along the shorelines. Video shots.
And finally, if you’ve ever wanted to see a hovercraft rodeo, look no further than this video link from Jane. (What’s the plural of hovercraft?)
Tim McCormick reports that several Renegade races took place out in the middle of Lake Mendota today. The launch site was moved from Lot 60 to the Baker Street landing which is not in optimal condition. Caution must be used while rolling on trailers on there. Today’s warm weather softened the ice. There was also some shell ice which we hope will freeze solid during tonight’s cold temperatures. Racing will begin at 10 AM in the middle of Lake Mendota tomorrow, Sunday, 27, 2018.
Wisconsin Skeeter Racers Smoker banquet hosted by the Windjammer Ice Yacht Club in Suamico.
The Wisconsin Skeeters gathered today in Green Bay for some racing. The conditions quite breezy and racing was cancelled due to high winds but some amount of sailing was had by all. The tourney will resume Sunday morning.
Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club racing has been called on for Jan 27 – 28 on Lake Mendota. Launch out of Lot 60. Trailers will be pushed on. First race is 10 AM.
Coming to a lake near you soon….
Via Vice Commodore Tim McCormick:
No club races on Sunday, January 21, 2018.
Drifts are still too tall (6-8”) for racing on Mendota. Middle of the lake is better than Middleton bay. Daniel said he checked all 4 lakes and Mendota is the best. Need some rain to knock the snow down.
Photo: Gretchen Dorian Andy Gratton’s WISCONSIN
A great day of sailing on Lake Winnebago! Andy Gratton and I set sail at 10 am this morning, sailing the famous Wisconsin, from Oshkosh on one of the best Lake Winnebago excursions ever.
We headed south to David L Lallier’s house in mind for our first stop. As we passed the wayside, we saw 2 sails near shore. We sailed into the way side to find Mark Wiener and Dan Tess sailing DN’s. After a brief chat we continued on to Dave’s house. Mark and Dan followed. We arrived at Dave’s house to find him working in his shop. After a slight arm twisting, he decided to come sail with us. He sailed Mr. Dass. His friend Rob showed up and sailed Ella. I was told both those boats are Don Ward built boats. George Gerhardt also showed up at Dave’s House. At this point George hopped in Wisconsin with Andy and I sailed with Dave in Mr. Dass.
What great fun. We all sailed the south end of the lake for awhile and ended up at the FDLYC. I took my spot back on Wisconsin and we parted ways. Andy and I headed north with the intent to make it to the north shore. After navigating the cracks and rough ice we ended up turning back for Oshkosh at Garlic Island just north of Oshkosh at around 3 pm. We figured we would run out of daylight if we continued North. We made it back to Oshkosh around 4 pm. I rigged the Flying Cloud and we continued to sail in the bay until after dark. We needed 10 more miles in the bay to reach our goal of 100+ miles. We sailed a total of 102.6 miles. After this long and fun filled day of sailing we walked off the ice to the SSIYC for a well deserved fish dinner and a couple of beverages. Words just can’t describe the memories this day of iceboating I will have forever.
WISCONSIN on Lake Winnebago in 2017 in similar conditions.
National Iceboat Authority Web Page
Location: In person at the Elks Lodge 711 Jenifer St, Madison, WI 53703
Time: 6:30 PM
YOU ARE SKIPPER NUMBER
TO ROUND THE MARK SINCE NOVEMBER 1999.
