Doing what they loved, brothers Jan and Meade Gougeon during a day of ice sailing.
The moon walk wasn’t the only technological accomplishment in 1969, it was 50 years ago when two brothers in Michigan figured out a better way to build iceboats and developed two-part epoxy. I remember the transition from Weldwood to WEST SYSTEMS epoxy. The excess Weldwood would form hard amber droplets under my dad’s long iceboat building bench. As a kid, they were kind of fun to play with until one day, those little pieces were gone having been replaced by two-part epoxy that didn’t drip. “Gougeon” is used in every class of iceboat build – from the biggest stern-steerers to youth Ice Optimists.
Read more about the 50th anniversary celebration over at the IDNIYRA website.
The recent Nite ballot passed. The class welcomes new rules that strictly define our runners, makes our masts and sails more uniform, and cleans up our rules so that they are more in sync with the National Iceboat Authority rules.
Our minimum skipper weight has increased from 180 to 190 lbs for the upcoming 2019-2020 season. The cherry on top of the Sunday is the ability to sail Nite Nationals the first weekend in January. Nothing like gaining three weeks, is there? Thanks to all that were involved and see you on the ice.
Obituary
Date: Thursday, July 25, 2019 Location: St. Bernard’s Church
2450 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI (see embedded map below) Visitation: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM Funeral Service: 10:30 AM Luncheon: Following in the gymnasium of the school building. Please share your stories about Jack during the luncheon if you wish. Burial: 2 PM at Resurrection Cemetery on Speedway Road with full military honors Map
Video: ABC’s Wide World of Sports video from the 1966 Northwest Regatta on Geneva Lake
Bill Mattison visited his old friend, Jack Ripp, for the last time. Jack’s son, Jim, was there and shared this poignant moment and the video on his Facebook page:
Jack Ripp wins the Skeeter Class E National Championship on Wide World of Sports with 2 firsts and a second. Dad is M149 and his best buddy Bill Mattison is M134. Buddy Melges comes in 3rd.
Bill sat and held Dad’s hand at hospice on Friday, talked to him and told us all stories of racing and building iceboats as well as stories of him and Dad in Korea. Made Dad smile and chuckle a few times. Both 90 years old, born a few days apart. Lifelong friendship at it’s finest. One of the most touching moments I have ever witnessed. Thank you Bill.”
