Staying In The Lines

Stern Steerer sailor Andy Gratton checked in from Lake Winnebago with a note and a surprise. His wife Ann was cleaning the attic and found an oversized coloring book from 1976, price tag still on it, 88 cents. Along with a spread of historical scenes, it includes this DN drawing. Andy added that Winnebago “got too much snow. The ice was looking really nice on Monday. Drats!”

Their attic discovery sparked an idea, so here are a few quickly AI generated ROSEMARY and WISCONSIN coloring-book pages.

Regatta Watch: 2025 ISA – CANCELED

Pat Heppert sailing DRIFTER at the 2022 International Skeeter Association Regatta on Lake Monona in Madison, WI. Photo: Will Johnston

Via International Skeeter Association Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk:

The International Race Committee has reviewed the current conditions and forecasts and determined that the Minnesota race venues are out due to temperatures in single digits and coming snow depths. Without other options and the arrival of the holidays, the decision has been made to let 2025 go. We are back up and pointing next to January 9th 2026 for the first day of the 2026 Championship. Next update: Sunday, January 4, 2026.

Steve Schalk

Secretary/Treasurer

International Skeeter Association

4LIYC Meeting Tonight 6:30 @ Breakwater – Dec 3

The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club meets tonight at Breakwater in Monona. The meeting begins at 6:30.

Breakwater has been good to our club. Let’s return the favor. Come a little early, have dinner, enjoy a drink, and support the place that supports us.

Winter switched on right after Thanksgiving and it won’t be long before we’re on home ice. Many club members are heading to Lake Minnewaska in Minnesota for the DN Western Challenge this weekend. There will be ice!

4LIYC Meeting
Wednesday, December 3
Order Dinner 6:00
Meeting 6:30 PM
Breakwater Restaurant
6308 Metropolitan Ln, Monona, WI 53713

Wisc Stern Steerer Association Newsletter

Stern-Steerers at the 2025 Northwest- Photo by Rob Resnick

WSSA Home Page

The Wisconsin Stern Steerer Association remains an active class dedicated to racing and preserving the original iceboats. They are ready for a full season on the ice, and their latest newsletter is now available online.

Link to newsletter.

Regatta Watch: 2025 ISA & Renegade Championship Postponed to Dec 12-14

Kyle Navin, finished 2nd at the Nite Nationals

Via ISA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk:

The 2025 International Skeeter Association and Renegade Championships have been postponed until December 12 – 14. Ice will be starting to form at our target sites of Minnewaska and Battle lakes tonight. The forecasts look promising for December 12-14. Next update is Sunday, December 7, 2025.

Steve Schalk

A Good Day to Review the Racing Rules

Most of us in Wisconsin are indoors today. Maybe you are in the shop working on runners, watching the weather, and waiting for the first sailable ice. It is a good moment to brush up on the racing rules. A little time now pays off later when the lake fills with boats and the pace picks up.

Cold air is settling in and much of the state is expecting up to ten inches of snow. The snow will help lock in the cold. Good news for ice making.

The Skeeter Iceboat Club has a set of short rule review videos on YouTube worth watching before the season starts.
Link to Video
Sailing Safe