2020 Northwest Ice Yacht Racing Association Information
March 13-15,2020
Lake Waconia, Minnesota
Sweden FIRST!
Photo: Dideric van RIemsdijk
Sharpen your runners! Breaking news from northern Sweden today. The Swedish ice sailors are first in the world as far as we know to pull the string on the hard-water and open the new season. Congratulations to our Swedish ice sailing friends.
SOLD! November 19, 2021: DN in MI
SOLD! DN. Great racing record or just day sailing, minimum weight on hull, plank and mast newer sail with 3/16”x36” inserts covers for everything and extra tiller and aluminum boom.
Michigan
$1700 OBO
Sold! November 16, 2021: Skeeter Mast in WI
Sold! 26′ Skeeter mast
$1000
Madison, WI
At the Skeeter Corral
Crazy Kenny’s Closeout Corall
Via Daniel Hearn:
Merchandise was flying out the door this weekend at the Past Champions Iceboat Shop. A special invitation was needed from Crazy Kenny himself to gain access to the Closeout Coral, which is hidden behind a secret doorway cleverly disguised with hanging drop cloths. Once inside, new Michigan-based ice sailor, Tim Bellard remarked, “With all this red and white everywhere, I kept looking for the fat man in the velour suit. He never showed, but Christmas definitely came early.” Bellard took off with a 24 foot Sitka Spruce Skeeter wing mast that he purchased for a buddy who had an “unfortunate incident” last year. And Crazy Kenny even threw a sail into the deal and free delivery to the top of Tim’s trailer. Several other unsavory characters from the 4LIYC were around the shop witnessing the selling frenzy, but none was willing to publicly comment. “Maybe if we just stand here next to Kenny acting like nothing is going on, then no one will ask any questions,” suggested Sage PK. Due to their resounding silence, they must have all agreed.
Not to be outdone, Wonky Donny’s Discount Emporium across town was also dealing. He was all out of 10-speed bikes to entice Bellard to close a deal, but he was still able to send him out the door with a classic 4LIYC, red and white Renegade. Rumor has it that said Renegade was also loaded on the 12 ft. utility trailer, including mast and plank, directly adjacent to the Skeeter mast. Fearing that his insurance provider might yank his liability policy, Bellard requested that no pictures be taken of the impressively loaded vehicle. As yet, there have been no reports of flying ice boats on the east bound corridor of I-94, so all equipment must now be safely in their new home somewhere in the hand.
SOLD! November 12, 2021: Skeeter Mast in WI
SOLD! 26′ Skeeter spar
$600
Madison area
SOLD! October 31, 2021: DN Components in WI
Sail Testing & 4LIYC Meeting News
Left to right; Ken Whitehorse, Kyle Koch, Greg Whitehorse, Paul Krueger.
Yesterday’s fine weather provided the perfect opportunity to set up Paul Krueger’s rear-seat Class A Skeeter in the Past Championships Iceboat Shop parking lot. Kenny and Paul hoisted four sails before finding the 26ft sail that fit the 26ft mast. On Facebook, Ken wrote, “It occurred to us that maybe we should mark the dimensions because we sure can’t remember anymore.”
The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club bi-weekly iceboat meetings are kicking off tomorrow night, November 10, 2021, at 6:30 PM on Zoom. Members who are current in dues should have received an email with the login information. Would you please let me know if you didn’t get the email?
Black Ice Journey Continues
The Swedish company Sail Racing has released its latest Black Ice campaign, incorporating Skeeter class iceboats to market their technical clothing. Daniel Hearn’s C Skeeter, to be specific. Pat Heppert also makes an appearance in his C Skeeter on their website video.
SOLD! October 30, 2021: DN in Toronto, CA
SOLD! DN from Michigan, built in early 1990’s. Doyle Sail in beautiful condition. Wood boom, fiberglass composite competition mast. Plank for ~185 lbs. 3 Sets of Runners in rust free, excellent condition. Sarns bullnose plate runner, all 3 (1 fwd steering, 2 aft). One Low profile steering/front runner. Two aft stainless steel 1/8″ runners. Two aft stiffened long runners. Wood telescoping tiller. Optional custom trailer available for $500.00 CDN
Asking Price is $3000.00 CDN
SOLD ! September 20, 2021: 2 Class A Skeeters in NJ
SOLD! Two Class A Skeeters with fully furbished road ready trailer. INSTIGATOR was built and campaigned by Jay Yaeso. The other bubble boat was built by Pete Rochelle in conjunction with Tom Nichols. The latter boat was modified with a fastback design and a Yaeso carbon fiber mast as well. Both boats have full racing sail plans x3 and two sets of runners each. These boat have both had top finishes in the ISAs. The “red” trailer with both skeeters is located in New Jersey.
Both boats plus trailer $30,000.
1200 Year Old Boat Recovered from Lake Mendota
Photo: Don Sanford
Dejope (Four Lakes) is the territory of the Ho-Chunk Nation, the indigenous people who always have and continue to live here. The Whitehorses are Ho-Chunk Nation tribal members and long-time Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club members, including my late husband, Harry Whitehorse. I’ve always thought Native people had the technology to make iceboats. Harry told me that his uncle George Seymour built traditional snow sleds using deer antlers for the runners. Indigenous people could have made an iceboat using deer antlers for insert runners, woven rush mats for a sail, and a dugout canoe for the hull.
Yesterday, November 2, 2021, archeologists carefully removed an ancient dugout canoe from the bottom of Lake Mendota, where it had been resting for 1200 years. Looking closely, one could imagine a mast step and a steering chock hole.
Channel 3000: 1200 Year-Old Canoe Pulled From Lake Mendota
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Via Tom Kneubuehl posted on the Historic Madison, WI Photo Facebook page:
“This dugout canoe was pulled out of Lake Mendota around 1:00 p.m. today. It could be the oldest known sunken boat/shipwreck in Wisconsin. It is about 1200 years old and was discovered by a diver in June when it happened to catch their attention. Apparently the diver contacted the State Historical Society and a chain of events happened which led to today. A cache of fishing weights were found in the canoe so apparently it was used by the inhabitants of that time to fish with weighted net. Note how small the canoe looks. They must have had great balance and were obviously smaller. The canoe is undergoing a lengthy preservation process to make sure it survives. I live close to the lake location where it was brought ashore so this information is from conversations with people at the scene. The number of people involved is long. City and state had a lot of archeologists and other key personnel there to direct and help the extraction. The Mayor was there along with other key city department leaders. Divers did the underwater work and brought the canoe to shore including from the Sheriffs Department. Anyone else who knows more details can add to the story in the comments but in summary it was a pretty amazing sight.”
SOLD! October 31, 2021: DN in MN
SOLD! DN. Great way to get into iceboating or for recreational sailing. Completely refurbished with new stainless rigging, updated tiller, mainsheet and tune up of all moving parts.
$745 OBO.
Swap Meet Stories
Stuff changed hands, there were quite a few new faces, and Ron Rosten’s Runner Whisperer clinic was a big hit at yesterday’s Wisconsin Iceboat Swap Meet. Thank you to all who attended and to our host, Daniel Hearn. If you missed this one, there’s another swap-meet on November 7 from 10 – 2 PM at the Delavan Yacht Club in Delavan, WI. Information on the Midwest Hard Water Sailing Facebook page.
SOLD! October 27, 2021: Sarns Runners in WI
SOLD! One set of Sarns NITE or DN runners for sale,
Gator nose.
Good condition.
$500.
Wisconsin
Will be at swap meet in Madison on Oct 31.
SOLD! October 17, 2021: Nite in WI
Kick Off the New Season at 4LIYC Swap Meet!
Kick Off the New Season at 4LIYC Swap Meet!
The big swap is on Halloween this Sunday, October 31. Ooooo….spooky! Feel free to come in costume. At Stephan Brady Strategic Marketing, 1352 E. Wilson St., Madison. Company parking lot is reserved for items for sale. There is plenty of street parking in the surrounding neighborhood, or you can park in the lot of the Chrysalis Building at 1337 Dewey Ct., which is directly behind the display lot.
Order of Events
9:00 – noon Official Swap Hours
11:00 Runner Sharpening Clinic
11:30 BBQ Fiesta catered by Famous Dave’s Barbeque
$15/person (RSVP to debwhitehorse@iceboat.org and help us plan food quantity)
Beverages sponsored by the 4LIYC
9:00 – noon Ice Sailing Videos on the big stream to get into the groove
Ron Rosten ” Runner Whisperer” Sharpening Clinic
Ron Rosten, of the legendary, Rosten ice sailing family will be sharing all of his secrets. When asked, he replied, “That would be like giving away US missile defense secrets to China.” An “authority,” who requested to remain anonymous, promised, “don’t worry, I’ll get you a pardon.” Ron is a champion ice sailor and talented engineer, who has fine-tuned his sharpening program to earn the title, “Runner Whisperer.” Find out why! And it’s FREE!
Iceboat Scale Models
New to the swap this year is Tim Bellard. He’s an ice sailor from west Michigan who has family in Janesville. Not only does he have a DN to sell, he will also be selling full models of various iceboats cut using a CNC router. Maybe the perfect Christmas gift for the Mrs.?
There is no charge for participating. This is the day to swap, buy, or sell new and used iceboats and misc. equipment. Boat builders & hardware manufacturers will display new products. For more info, email debwhitehorse@iceboat.org
Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club
36th Annual Southern Wisconsin Swap Meet (founded by the Skeeter Iceboat Club of Lake Geneva, WI)
Date: Sunday, October 31, 2021
Time 9:00 to Noon
Location: 1352 E. Wilson St. Madison, WI
M197 Looks Back and Forward
Via 4LIYC Skeeter skipper Ken Whitehorse
Back in the 80s, many 4LIYC Skeeter racers towed their rigs to the regattas in camper trucks. Some were M98, M96, M98, M161, M162, M1000, M150, M197, and many more. It was a rendezvous on ice! The wind was always moderate to heavy, and the ice was fast, clear, and deep. We enjoyed bacon and eggs at sunrise, and the flag was up at ten. Races were so plentiful there was a mandatory break for lunch and time to tune up your racer. I remember one time when Nelson M150 made lasagna for lunch. Her camper had an oven! Then we assembled back to our starting blocks after lunch at 1, followed by racing, tear-down, and smart-talk while sipping a few dippers at 4. Then the short walk to Norton’s for the Smoker and more smart-talk. As you see, I am making ready to experience those iceboat racing days again. See you all at the 2021 Western Challenge.
Ken Whitehorse M197
Back in the 80s, many 4LIYC Skeeter racers towed their rigs to the regattas in camper trucks. Some were M98, M96, M98, M161, M162, M1000, M150, M197, and many more. It was a rendezvous on ice! The wind was always moderate to heavy, and the ice was fast, clear, and deep. We enjoyed bacon and eggs at sunrise, and the flag was up at ten. Races were so plentiful there was a mandatory break for lunch and time to tune up your racer. I remember one time when Nelson M150 made lasagna for lunch. Her camper had an oven! Then we assembled back to our starting blocks after lunch at 1, followed by racing, tear-down, and smart-talk while sipping a few dippers at 4. Then the short walk to Norton’s for the Smoker and more smart-talk. As you see, I am making ready to experience those iceboat racing days again. See you all at the 2021 Western Challenge.SOLD! October 25, 2021: Arrow in Madison, WI
SOLD! Arrow iceboat in nice condition for sale in Madison WI. Springboard added (removable if desired). Comes with padded full carpeted cockpit liner and seat cushion, two sails (one original class legal white sail and one not class legal, which is black Dacron) a Sunbrella sail bag, a full custom Sunbrella boat cover (mast up or down) and a couple of helmets if desired. No trailer included. A comfortable two-place side by side touring boat but we’re getting old, so it’s time to pass it on to a younger generation. $1,500
SOLD! October 15, 2021: Nite in WI
SOLD! Delavan, WI
Two seater Nite Ice Boat, sail # 252 (1983), located in Delavan, WI.
Rarely sailed. Stored indoors. Sail, mast, boom, and runners.
$3500.00
National Sailing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: Jane Pegel
1996 Northwest Regatta. DN Class champions. From left, Todd Gamble, Jan Gougeon, John Dennis, Lou Loenneke, National Sailing Hall of Fame member Jane Pegel
Previous: Jane Pegel To Be Inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame
The National Sailing Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held last weekend in Newport, RI. Watch the Hall of Fame Induction Facebook Video (Jane’s induction starts at 1:28.) Jane and Susie could not attend the ceremony but Jane’s remarks were read by another inductee and friend, Lynn Jewell Shore. Congratulations, Jane.
I am pleased to be inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame and disappointed at not being able to be in Newport this weekend. It’s a true honor to join the ranks of the nation’s top sailors.
Growing up on Lackey Drive in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, sailing was the neighborhood “thing.” As a first generation sailor, I learned how to sail by the trial-and-error method. Those in the know around Geneva Lake told my father Dr. Clifford Wiswell what sort of equipment I should have whether it be sailing equipment or iceboating equipment.
I learned many valuable lessons competing against great sailors and watching great sailors in action. Having a husband who was a master boatbuilder and sailmaker certainly helped my race results.
I consider Bill Buchan the ultimate role model for sailors seeking to become champions. He worked hard to perfect his equipment as well as his sailing technique. He always sought to be ahead of the curve and his results in the Star class reflect his dedication to the sport.
Iceboating was always #1 for me for more than 60 years. I raced in the Skeeter and DN classes, and served as an officer and committee member in many iceboat organizations. For more than 40 years I served on the National Iceboat Authority, writing and analyzing the rules that govern iceboat racing. I am proud to say I mixed the epoxy when the stern-steerer iceboat “The Deuce” was rebuilt roughly a decade ago. (“The Deuce” is the world’s largest iceboat.)
I have watched many generations of sailors coming up through the ranks through my involvement with the Lake Geneva Yacht Club and Geneva Lake Sailing School. The tradition of champions coming from Lake Geneva is being carried on by Laser Radial sailor Chapman Petersen and others.
Thank you again for this honor. By the way, I’m not related to the Johnson Boat Works family in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Most of my relatives hail from Walworth County, Wisconsin or Grand Rapids, Michigan.
P.S. Many thanks to Lynne Jewell for representing Jane at this ceremony. Jane and Susie enjoyed racing against Lynne in the Laser class over the years.
Jane Pegel
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