NIYA

Northwest Ice Yachting Association An iceboat regatta first sailed in 1913 in Menominee, Michigan.
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Stern Steerers

The NIYA was originally a stern-steerer regatta organized to determine ice yacht supremacy in the Midwest. A,B,C,& D stern-steerers continue to compete in the NIYA.

Skeeters

Class E Skeeters first raced the NIYA in 1936 when Lake Geneva sailor Harry Melges won in MICKEY FINN.

DN Class

Skip Boston of Detroit was the first winner of the NIYA in the DN class in 1954.

Renegade

First sailed as a seperate class in 1958 and won by “Mr. Iceboat”, Elmer Millenbach.

NIYA Centennial

The NIYA celebrated 100 years of iceboat racing in 2013 on Green Lake in Wisconsin.

2020 Northwest Ice Yacht Racing Association Information

March 13-15,2020
Lake Waconia, Minnesota

Regatta Watch: 2025 Northwest Called ON for Fond du Lac Jan 17-19

by | Jan 12, 2025 | , , , ,

ACE OF SPADES & LITTLE WIND line up to race.

Via NIYA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk

The 2025 NIYA Regatta is called on for Fond Du Lac,, January 17 – 19 with the final call at noon Wednesday January 15th. Launch will be drive on at the Sunset Bar.

UPDATE: The International Skeeter Association and Renegade Championship regattas are postponed. The NIYA regatta takes precedence.

Kegonsa Fly By

by | Jan 12, 2025 | ,

Photo: Skot Weidemann

Pilot Skot Weidemann captured this fly-by shot of the 4LIYC gearing up to race on Lake Kegonsa, Saturday, January 11, 2025

Jan 12 Update: ’25 DN Senior Shuffle Postponed

by | Jan 12, 2025 | , ,


Senior Shuffle Home Page
Via 4LIYC Commodore Daniel Hearn

With temperatures forecasted not to exceed 10 degrees Monday and Tuesday, we’ve concluded that Shuffling wouldn’t be much fun. Since FUN is the whole point, we are postponed again, awaiting another opportunity this winter. Keep those joins shuffling…you want to be in peak shuffling shape when Mother Nature smiles upon our high mileage racing kits!

Newsletter From the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club

by | Jan 10, 2025 | , ,

Racing trophies that are still cherished by iceboat builder Samuel Rogers’ family. Photo from White Wings & Black Ice

Here is the latest Hudson River Ice Yacht Club newsletter for those who enjoy following the stories of the original historic stern steerers that sailed the Hudson River many years ago. One highlight from the newsletter is a report about the recent exhibit at the FDR Museum and Library in Hyde Park, which showcased the legacy of an iceboat builder and racer, Samuel R. Rogers.

If you’d like to learn more about Samuel R. Rogers and the history of Hudson River ice yachts, visit Brian Reid’s incredible website White Wings and Black Ice.  Check out the full Hudson River Ice Yacht Club newsletter or more stories and updates.

We’re Shuffling to Madison! DN Senior Shuffle Called ON for Lake Monona Jan 13-15

by | Jan 9, 2025 | , ,


SENIOR SHUFFLE HOME PAGE
We’ve got a beautiful sheet of ice on Lake Monona in Madison, but it’s not quite thick enough for this weekend. So, we’ll be 76 minutes north of Madison in Fond du Lac for the 2025 Western Regional.

When things wrap up on Sunday, we’ll head to Madison for the kick off of the first annual Senior Shuffle. We’ve got a great rate lined up at our oft used HQ hotel, The Clarion. Just $79/night and less than a mile from the Olin Park Launch.

We will have group social functions on both Monday and Tuesday nights. Standby for details. Prize giving on the ice Wednesday to wrap things up. All fun…no running…all are welcome, whether you are a “Senior” or not. All will race under the special senior rules. See you there!

SENIOR SHUFFLE
DATES: January 13 – 15, 2025

LOCATION: Lake Monona, Madison, WI

LAUNCH SITE:
Olin Park Launch

LODGING
Clarion Suites
2110 Rimrock Rd, Madison, WI 53713
+16083501766

Lake Monona, Thursday, January 9, 2025

Rocket Ice Yacht Foundation Raffle: Win a Fully Loaded DN!

by | Jan 8, 2025 | ,


The Rocket Ice Yacht Foundation is raffling a fully loaded Ron Sherry Composite Concepts DN. This is an opportunity to support the Foundation and win a top-tier DN. For all details, including how to enter, please refer to the graphic above. Don’t miss out—help support the future of ice sailing and maybe win the ride of your life!

4LIYC Meeting Update for Jan 8, 2025

by | Jan 7, 2025 | ,


Our next Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 8, at 6:30 PM at Daniel Hearn’s office:

S/B Marketing
1352 E Wilson Street
Madison, WI

We are fortunate this year to have so much ice and sailing activity to enjoy, and there will be plenty to discuss. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

4LIYC Racing Recap for January 5, 2025

by | Jan 6, 2025 | , ,

At the start of the first race, block 1 was left empty to honor the late Tim McCormick. Tim’s brother Andy, is in the 2 block.

The 4LIYC Renegades took to Lake Kegonsa on Sunday afternoon for three races in very cold conditions. Despite the chill, it was a competitive day on the ice, with Don Anderson dominating the fleet and claiming three bullets. The ice was super hard and fast, but somewhat rough. Sailors did their best to avoid occasional sticky snow drifts. The wind started out shifty, keeping sailors on their toes, but it filled in steadily toward the end of the racing, making for a solid finish to the day. Nite sailor Lars Barber represented the 4LIYC Nite fleet, lining up with the Renegades and racing alongside them.

The Renegades also took time to honor one of their own. A missing man formation lineup paid tribute to a member who would no longer be lining up at the start. At the start of the first race, starting block one was held in reserve to honor the memory of the late Tim McCormick who passed away in 2024. Tim’s brother, Andy McCormick, stepped into the two block to carry on the family’s presence on the ice along with cousin Greg who lined up in block four..

Scores will be posted soon.

The Ice Boaters Dream

by | Jan 6, 2025 | , ,

Video Link
Iceboaters have long imagined the possibility of clearing snow from frozen lakes to create ideal sailing conditions. The challenge lies in needing thick, solid ice to support vehicles capable of clearing the snow—an effort that often seems insurmountable.

Years ago, the late DN sailor Mark Keifer of Minnesota pioneered snow removal efforts for the Ice Racing Circuit at the St. Paul Winter Carnival. On a snow-covered lake in Tianchi, near Urumqi in western China, crews are clearing the ice for the first Tianshan Tianchi International Ice Yacht Open in conjunction with their winter festival. This historic event will feature DN sailors from Germany, Sweden, and China, competing against the backdrop of the snow-covered Tianshan Mountains.
This event demonstrates that removing snow for ice sailing can be done with enough will and equipment (and likely an unlimited budget.)

Regatta Watch: Nite Nationals Postponed

by | Jan 6, 2025 | ,

Your Nite Board have decided to postponed Nite Nationals. We will keep searching for the right conditions.

In the meantime, there is a wonderful video out there on YouTube about the “Racing Rules of Iceboating: Learn, Understand, Race…”
It is sponsored by the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club

Continue to monitor Facebook Group, the Nite Website, and your email for further communication.

We are always open to you sharing the conditions of your local lake or of a lake you have pertinent info on.

Keep your runners sharp and your boats tuned. The ride of your life awaits.

Sail Safe, Sail Fast,

Commodore Maureen Bohleber #497
Vice Commodore David Navin #549
Secretary/Treasurer Chris Wiberg #434
Tech Mike Peters #544

January 6, 2025: DN & Components in WI

by | Jan 6, 2025 |

Race Ready DN in Lake Geneva
Sherry hull and Sherry ‘glass-wrapped plank w/ glued Struble chocks for 160# skipper.
Sherry Carbon Rocket, Forstmann boom, Harken blocks w/ tapered sheet
3 SAILS, 1 1D Power Gold used by Jablonski for ’23 Worlds only,
1 North ABSS AND 1 North F-01 both older but still crisp. All sails with battens and bags.
1 Pair Sherry 3/16″ x 36″ winged carbon inserts w/ Harken bag.
1 Low Profile 3/16″ x 30″ carbon insert steering runner w/ brake
1 Set 3 30″ 440C Swept back Plates in box
Entire Package Available for $5000.00
All Equipment F.O.B. Richmond, Il. (just south of Lake Geneva)

Other DN equipment For Sale:
1 DN Plank, shaped, wrapped, w/ glued Polish chocks $350.
1 Pr. 1/4″ x 36″ Sherry carbon sided, Alum winged inserts w/bag $500.
1 Set 3 30″ soft ss sweptback plates origin unknown w/box $350.
1 Set 3 30″ wood sided SS Angles w/bag $350.
1 3/16″ x 30″ Low Profile Carbon steering runner w/ brake $100.
1 1/4″ x 36″ Sarns Bull Nose steering runner w/ brake $100.
1 2-Boat Enclosed DN trailer Spars outside New Suspension $1000.

BOB CAVE 630 945-0596 bobcave445@gmail.com

Made for the Sky

by | Jan 5, 2025 | , ,

Andy Gratton and ROSEMARY Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association Regatta on Lake Noquebay near Crivitz, Wisconsin on Jan 4, 2025. Photo by Mike Roemer

The Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association regatta on Lake Noquebay in Crivitz, WI, wraps up today, but not before leaving us with some photos captured from above. Mike Roemer shared some amazing drone photos on Facebook that showcase the majesty of the big boats. Stern Steerers are made for drone photography, with their impressive size and striking presence on the ice.
You can see more of Mike’s amazing photos on the 4LIYC Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/iceboat

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