UPCOMING:
4LIYC Meeting : March 12 @ Breakwater
International Skeeter Association Regatta: Postponed
Senior Shuffle DN Regatta: Postponed More information
4LIYC Shipstore: Order custom iceboat shirts, hats, and gear. More information.
BURGEE: Order your 4LIYC Burgee
Pay Your Dues Online
Lake Winnebago – The Place to Be for Ice Sailing
4LIYC Commodore Daniel Hearn takes first in Silver at the DN Worlds.Not pictured, second place Dave Elsmo. Photo: Anna Suslova
Lake Winnebago – The Place to Be for Ice Sailing
Lake Winnebago has been the place to be for ice sailing this season. From the Northwest Regatta to the Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association Regatta, the DN Western Region Championship, and now the DN World and North American Championships, it has been an incredible stretch of racing on one of the best venues in North America.
It’s great to be back on Winnebago for the DN Worlds and North Americans and even better to drive on the ice, making race logistics easier for sailors and officials. These back-to-back regatta weeks can be exhausting, but ice sailors have been waiting for years for this kind of ice. Beyond the racing, seeing everyone socializing at the hotel and gathering for a banquet at Sunset on the Water has been fantastic.
DN World Championship Recap
The World Championship is now complete, and congratulations to five-time champion Matt Struble. Watching the best ice sailors in the world at work is always incredible. Right behind Matt, the Polish sailors continue to be a massive force, along with the Swedes and Estonians, who have all shown their skill and consistency. The top Swedish sailors in this competition have a long history with my brother, Ron Rosten, who has followed their progress from junior racing all the way to the Gold Fleet. Ron attends the Junior World Championship held in Europe every year, and it has been amazing to see these young sailors grow into top competitors.
North American Championship Begins
Now, the focus shifts to the North American Championship, where four races have been completed. Every race has been like a high-speed chess match, where every move counts, and the slightest mistake can cost positions. The competition has been fierce, with no easy wins.
Today’s forecast calls for strong winds, and I’m sure PRO Pat Heppert is already driving to the lake to check conditions as I type this.
4LIYC Sailors at the DN World Championship
Closer to home, our Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club (4LIYC) sailors had strong performances at the DN World Championship, battling through some of the toughest competition in recent memory. The Silver Fleet raced at a Gold Fleet level, and Bronze felt like Silver, making every finish hard-earned.
- Chad Atkins finished 14th in Gold Fleet
- 4LIYC Commodore Daniel Hearn won the Silver Fleet, securing an automatic spot in the Gold Fleet for the championship
- Dave Elsmo was right behind him, taking 2nd place in Silver Fleet
- Dale Gordon finished 20th in the Bronze Fleet
Great racing from our club members—congratulations to all!
It has been an incredible week, and we are hoping to finish out the North Americans with a complete seven-race series. Stay tuned for updates!
Stay updated with the latest results, photos, and behind-the-scenes coverage:
- Website – Visit IDNIYRA.org for official announcements, race updates, and results.
- Website – Visit the New England Ice Yachting Association for race updates from the New England contingent
- Event Photos: Anna Suslova Gallery. Link Password: sail
- Gretchen Dorian Photo Gallery
- Instagram – Follow @idniyra
- Facebook – IDNIYRA – DN North America for live updates, videos, and community discussions.
- 2025 North American Championship Results – View the full competitor list and follow live results
- 2025 World Championship Results – View here.
- New to Iceboat Racing? – Learn how it works by watching this short video:- How Ice Boat Racing Works.
- For media inquiries – Please contact secretary.idniyira@gmail.com. Or text 608-347 3513
Photo Gallery by Anna Suslova – Gallery Link Password: sail
Regatta Watch: 2025 ISA & Renegade Championship Postponed to Feb14 – 16
Via ISA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk
The 2025 ISA and Renegade Championship has been postponed until February 14 – 16. The weather forecast of little to no wind on Friday, with a full day of vision blocking snow on Saturday made the decision to postpone clear.The next update will be posted here on Sunday, February 9.
Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association 2025 Regatta Results & Photos
Don Ward Flying Start trophy. Photo Gretchen Dorian.
RESULTS
The 2025 Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association (WSSA) Regatta took place on Lake Winnebago in Fond du Lac, WI February 1 – 2.
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer Andy Gratton shared, “We had the first race for the Don Ward Flying Start Trophy, to be sailed for by D stern steerers only. Joe Terry is the winner.”
Photos: Gretchen Dorian
Regatta Watch: 2025 ISA & Renegade Championship Tentatively Called ON for Feb 7-9
Greg McCormick sailing a Renegade on Lake Monona, Feb 2, 2025. Photo: Marcus Berghahn
Via International Skeeter Association Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk
The 2025 International Skeeter Association and Renegade Championship regattas are tentatively called on for the February 7 – 9.
Primary site is Lake Monona, Madison, WI. Secondary site is Lake Pepin, Lake City, MN. Final confirmation will be made by Wednesday, February 5, by noon.Steve Schalk
Secretary / Treasurer ISA
4LIYC Racing Action – Photos from February 1
Doug Kolner sailing his Renegade COLD FUSION on Lake Monona. Photo Marcus Berghahn
The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club hit the ice on Saturday, February 1, for another great day of racing. Photographer Marcus Berghahm captured the action, showcasing the speed and skill of the fleet.
Check out his photos here: Link to photos
Follow him on Instagram
Thanks to Marcus for sharing these incredible shots—see you on the ice!
Capturing the Action: WSSA Regatta on Lake Winnebago
2025 Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association Regatta on Lake Winnebago, Fond du Lac, WI. Photo by Will Johnston
The Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association (WSSA) Regatta concludes today on Lake Winnebago, where classic stern-steerers have been racing in excellent conditions. With the 2025 DN World Championship also starting today, the lake is bustling with activity, making it the world’s busiest spot for ice sailing.
Check out the photo gallery from the WSSA Regatta here: Will Johnston WSSA Photo Gallery
Stay tuned for updates as DN racing gets underway!
WSSA UPDATE: First Race Starts at 9:30 AM Saturday, Feb 1
Stern-Steerers at the 2025 Northwest- Photo by Rob Resnick Check out his Northwest Gallery here.
ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION
Via WSSA Secretary/Treasurer Andy Gratton
The starting time for the first race of the 2025 Wisconsin Sterns Steerers Association regatta on Saturday, February 1 will be at 9:30 AM.
4LIYC Racing Called on for Lake Monona Feb 1- 2
Damien Luyet – 2025 Northwest – Photo: Rob Resnick Check out his Northwest Gallery here.
Another great weekend ahead of us for ice sailing. The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club has called racing ON for Saturday, February 1, and Sunday, February 2, on Lake Monona, launching from Tonyawatha Landing. The flag drops at 10 AM both days. Meanwhile, the DN fleet will be competing at the DN World Championship on Lake Winnebago. Follow the action and results https://www.idniyra.org/
Important Reminders
- Do not drive vehicles on the ice.
- Be respectful of others using the lake. Ice sailing shares the lake with other winter activities—please be mindful.
- Parking is in a neighborhood—respect the residents.
Action Captured: Rob Resnick’s 2025 Northwest Photos
Powered by the Wind: ROSEMARY on Lake Winnebago and a field of windmills in the distance. Photo: Rob Resnick.
Once again, Rob Resnick of Revelations of Design joined us on the ice to capture the Northwest Regatta. Rob is a familiar presence at our regattas, often braving the elements to document the speed and beauty of iceboat racing.
This year was no exception. Rob spent all day Friday on the ice with us, despite the cold, and his dedication resulted in an impressive collection of photos. It was hard to pick a favorite because they’re all so good, but as an example, above is a screenshot of the ROSEMARY with windmills in the background—just one of many memorable shots.
Rob’s photos are available for purchase. Check out his gallery and support his work.
2025 Wisconsin Stern Steerers Regatta Called ON for Lake Winnebago, Fond du Lac – Feb 1-2
2025 Northwest. Photo – Jim Stevenson
Via WSSA Secretary/Treasurer Andy Gratton
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta for 2025 has been called on for February 1 and 2 for Fond du Lac, WI. The drive-on launch site will be the Garden Road ramp directly north of the BP gas station at N7015 Winnebago Drive. The race course will be about 2 miles north of Fond du Lac.
Lodging:
- Comfort Inn, 77 Holiday Lane Fond du Lac WI Ice Boaters Special 82.00 night See Michelle 30+ rooms 920-933-1159
- Holiday Inn Express, 55 Holiday Lane Fond du Lac WI 30+ rooms 129.00-155.00 920-322-0460
- Hotel Retlaw, 1 North Main St Fond du Lac WI 920 204 0400 129.00 and up
Schedule
- Saturday, February 1
11:00 AM: First Race- Sunday, February 2
9:00 AM: First Race
Online Ship’s Store
National Iceboat Authority Web Page
4LIYC Governing Documents
Click for 4LIYC Meeting Dates
- January 2 THURSDAY Honor Roll Nominations
- January 15 Deadline for By-Law or Racing Rules Amendment Submission
- January 29
- February 12 Business Meeting
- February 26
- March 12 Last Meeting of the Season
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.
