Northwest Home Page UPDATE: Launch information has been updated
Via Northwest Ice Yachting Association Regatta Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk:
The 2025 NIYA Regatta is called on for Fond Du Lac, January 24th, 25th and 26th, with the final call at noon Wednesday January 22nd. Launch ramp will be finalized prior to Wednesday noon. It will be in the southeast corner of the lake somewhere between the Fond Du Lac Yacht Club and the Sunset Bar. Stay tuned for launch site updates on Wednesday, January 22.
The ice condition is excellent and the wind and temperature appear to be cooperating – pretty much optimal in all respects for an epic Northwest Championship.
The Oshkosh Public Museum recently shared a photo on its Facebook page that immediately caught the attention of Lake Winnebago stern-steerer sailor Andy Gratton. He quickly identified the boats:
“The closest boat is the MISS MADISON from Madison and still exists at the Iceboating Foundation in Madison with two other historic boats. I am fairly certain the second boat is the PRINCESS II, also from Madison, owed by Emil Fauerbach. The furthest boat is the FLYING DUTCHEMEN, originally owned by the Van Dyke brothers of Milwaukee. John Buckstaff acquired the boat at some time and frequently raced it. That boat is currently on the ice in front of the Fond du Lac Yacht Club. owned by Dave Lallier and Dave Whealon.”
Through further digging, ice sailing history expert Henry Bossett tracked down a newspaper article that aligns with the era and context of the photo. It’s likely from the 1930 Hearst Trophy Regatta on Lake Winnebago. In this event, Buckstaff and his crew, sailing FLYING DUTCHMEN , defended and won the trophy in light air conditions. MISS MADISON appears largely unchanged and has now joined the collection of historic iceboats at the Iceboat Foundation. As for PRINCESS II, the mystery of her fate remains unsolved.
Via Wisconsin Stern Steerer Association Secretary/Treasurer Andy Gratton:
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to February 1 and 2. The next update will be Sunday, January 25. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence.
The scores for the 2024 Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association Regatta are now available! Check out the results here and see how the competition unfolded. Thank you to all the sailors, organizers, and volunteers who made this regatta a success.
Note: Although the regatta was sailed in 2025, the WSSA decided to consider it a 2024 regatta. This decision gives the class another opportunity to hold a regatta this year with the exceptional ice conditions we’re experiencing.
A great story about a rescued stern-steerer, via Chris Wolford:
I want to thank you and the contributors to the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club for publishing the recent articles on old ice yachts. It is fascinating to read about the races held as far back as 1898 and learn about the men who built these majestic ice yachts. Although there was ice yacht racing in Erie, PA, around that time, there were only a handful of boats, and they are long gone. Ice conditions like you have in Wisconsin are uncommon on Presque Isle Bay, so sailors here get frustrated, mostly because of the amount of snow we get, and the old boats end up in barn rafters and garages. But not all of them.
In the spring of 1986, while rummaging around the basement of the Erie Yacht Club (EYC), in a dark and musty corner, I noticed a couple of long planks leaning against the wall. I was curious, so I took a look and found that it was an old ice yacht. On the backbone was a plaque that read SNIPE, built for Annie Scott Strong in 1900. The car was badly damaged from years of neglect, and the backbone had a bit of rot. I couldn’t just leave it there, so I found the owner and convinced him to sell it to me. I bought it for the outstanding storage charge of $60.
Two iceboating buddies and I spent Monday nights for a year bringing her back to life. We sanded off red paint and found green and, finally, the beautiful wood grain. The runner plank, a little over 6″ thick, still had bark on it. Wrapped in an old sail, the spars and standing rigging were stuffed into the rafters. They were in decent condition, and we were surprised to find a dozen hand-forged brass blocks. We spent about $2000 rebuilding her and replacing the sails. The following winter, we proudly put SNIPE on the ice and renamed her BLACK ICE.  We sailed her for 35 years on Presque Isle Bay and made great memories for many people young and old.
In 2018, we were frustrated that we either had no ice or our seasons were so short that it was hardly worth getting her on the ice. And now, in our mid-60s, BLACK ICE started getting heavier. We decided to find a better home for her than the EYC basement, so we approached the Erie Maritime Museum to see if they were interested. The curator was thrilled, and we submitted paperwork to the Commonwealth of PA Museum Commission for approval.
While we waited, we did some research and learned that the yacht was built in the Hudson River Valley and brought here by rail in 1900. She was a birthday present for Annie Scott Strong from her husband, Charles. He was a prosperous businessman, an iron & coal magnate, and a railroad president. Annie’s father was also a railroad tycoon, the Mayor of Erie in 1866, and later served as a U.S. Congressman. We have no idea how long Annie sailed SNIPE, but we believe the boat sat outside for some years in the 1930s and then had several owners before us.
The Museum Commission unanimously approved accepting our gift. On April 26, 2023, BLACK ICE was displayed at the museum at a reception attended by 60 people. Many pictures and a rolling video are included in the display. It’s hard to say how long she will be on display, but we are told that the plan is at least 5 years because of its popularity. When eventually stored, BLACK ICE will be in good company amongst the spars of the tall ship U.S.S. Brig NIAGRA.
Via Northwest Ice Yachting Association Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk:
The 2025 Northwestern Ice Yachting Association Race Committee has postponed one week to January 24th, 25th and 26th. The likely site will be on Lake Winnebago at the best possible of several locations.
The morning check by Andy Gratton found the snow conditions ok for most but not DNs. (Styrofoam snow) The forecast eliminates Sunday due to low temperatures and the Friday wind and temperature forecasts show a possible softening of the snow , but a likely blow-out of excessive wind gusts.
The forecast is looking good for multiple options on January 24th. The next NIYA Update is Sunday January 19th after 7 pm.
