2020 Northwest Ice Yacht Racing Association Information
March 13-15,2020
Lake Waconia, Minnesota
The Rear-Seater Skeeter Era
Say farewell to the A-Class Skeeter rear-seater era in the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club. Ken Whitehorse’s WARRIOR was the last rear-seater to sail competitively in our 4LIYC races, International Skeeter Association races, and Northwest regatta races. The above photo of Ken hiking on Geneva Lake appeared in the Janesville Gazette several years ago. Ken recalled that day of scrub racing. Skeeter Ice Boat Club’s Buddy Melges was the judge/flagman on a mushy, slushy track. Ken remembers that the boat “was a real mudder that day, WARRIOR came up and out of the slush to win 4 races!” Ken’s looking for a good home for the boat and listed it for sale on the Buy & Sell page.
More on the boat: Bill Dale gave Ken a super wide mast-pole 14″ from top to bottom and also gave him a super-full 2″ draft sail. (The kind of sail Dave Clapp and Tom Nichols used to use on the Navasink River.)
Paul Krueger developed the rear-seat Skeeter back in the 1970s. Here’s an excerpt about rear-seat Skeeters from the 4LIYC History page.
The Appearance of the Rear Seater Skeeter
By Greg WhitehorseIn 1975, Madison skipper Paul Krueger was involved in a serious iceboating accident while competing in a Northwestern Regatta on Lake Winnebago. Krueger thought that part of the cause of the accident was the limited vision one had while sitting under the boom when sailing a Skeeter. With that in mind he designed and built the first rear-seater Skeeter for the 1976 sailing season.
Not only did the skipper not have to duck under the boom on each jibe or tack; he also enjoyed a much larger field of vision. The new design also allowed the gap between the boom and deck to be closed. In other words, when fully trimmed, the boom was now pulled down to meet the deck This greatly enhanced the performance of the already potent Class E Skeeter iceboat.
Paul Krueger’s A Class Skeeters spanning 40+ years: From left, Ramblin’ c. 1970, Ramblin’ c.1980, Ramblin’ 2015 ISA
Krueger’s new design dominated the competition for the next few years. He won win two ISA World Championships, in 1976 and 1979, along with a Northwestern Regatta title in 1979. The dominance of Krueger’s Rambl’n forced others to change to a rear seat design in order to keep up. With Krueger’s and Bill Mattison’s help, most of the 4LIYC Skeeter fleet was converted to the new design.
Outside the 4LIYC area some Skeeter sailors were not real happy about having to make yet another change in their yachts, even though no parts off the old boats were made obsolete with Krueger’s new design. The hull was fairly easily converted to rear seat dimensions, and the existing boom only needed to be made a little wider.
Soon all serious contenders in the Skeeter fleet were sailing rear seaters. In 1977 Ken Whitehorse sailed a Krueger reconfigured Skeeter to a Northwestern Championship, becoming yet another 4LIYC member to win a major regatta.
Paul Krueger and Ken with the boat on the trailer a few weeks ago. Paul is the builder of this boat.
SOLD! November 1, 2020: Skeeter in Madison, WI
SOLD
Class A Skeeter.
Rear-seater built by Paul Krueger.
Trailer not included.
First $1200 takes it all.
Madison, WI
Researching Hand Wear in Ice Sailing
Old school stern-steerer hand protection: Big leather mittens.
What type of mittens do you wear while ice sailing? Sports and Product designer Emily Guerra would like your feedback.
My name is Emily Guerra. I am a graduate student at the University of Oregon in the master’s in science in Sports Product Design program.
I am working on researching hand protection in Iceboat Racing and Winter Sailing. I came across your website during my research and would love to ask you some questions related to iceboat sailing, winter sailing apparel, and hand protection in the sport.
I have a form with questions related to my research subject and it would be great if you could fill it out and/or pass it on to other fellow iceboaters. The link is https://forms.gle/c45MyAH1txXBGjR46. Feel free to answer some or all of the questions. I am conducting my research using this form as well as through phone calls so if you would like to speak more over the phone that would be great as well.
If you are interested, please let me know and we can set up a day and time. Looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you!
Best,
Emily Guerra
emilyguerradesign
Iceboating’s Spookiest Story: The Strange Tale of the Ice Soar
Pulling this one off the shelf again for a repost….
Today is Halloween which brings to mind iceboating’s favorite (and only) ghost story, “The Strange Tale of the Ice Soar“, by Greg Whitehorse. Make it part of your Halloween tradition!
Outside the windows of the South Side Ice Yacht Club, the Skeeters, Renegades and Nites were effortlessly gliding over the dark gray ice sheet. Suddenly, sailing into view came a chilling blast from the past. A huge stern-steerer, its yellow stained, canvas sails straining against the twenty mile per hour wind. Behind its sheer size, the Skeeters, Renegades and Nites disappeared for seconds at a time before appearing again on the other side.
Two, no three burly men steered and cranked and pulled, trying to tame the unruly beast. Moving in a southerly direction, its left (port? starboard?) runner gently lifts off the ice, a few feet at first, and then quickly shoots skyward. The runner plank is at an impossible angle to the ice. Surely the beast is going to capsize, but no, the three burly men continue to steer and crank and pull and the ice yacht slowly regains a more proper stance on the frozen surface. A slight change in direction to take advantage of a felt, but unseen wind shift, and the beast sailed away from view.
FIRST!
The 2020-2021 ice sailing season has officially begun. Lowell Ross up in Alberta, Canada posted this video on his Facebook page today.
Well, up here in Northern Alberta we really have an early start to the season after a long drought of years of bad ice or heavy snows. Feels great to see that shoreline come up in 3 minutes that normally takes 30 minutes to reach. Ice sailors are awesome–we even walk on water
SOLD! October 30, 2020: Stern-Steerer in WI
SOLD! A Class Stern Steerer
SNOWFLAKE
Always on Delavan and Geneva Lakes
Newer main and jib
Good road worthy trailer
$7000
Tomorrow: Green Lake Swap Meet October 24th
B Skeeters on Green Lake in 2013. Photo: Gretchen Dorian
SWAP MEET
Green Lake Ice Yacht Club
Saturday, October 24, 2020
10 AM – 2 PM
Green Lake Town Square
UPDATE: Just a friendly reminder, the Green Lake Ice Yacht Club Swap Meet is tomorrow, October, 24, 2020.
Some breaking news from our friends to the northeast. Green Lake Ice Yacht Club’s Joe Norton called to let us know to save the date of Saturday, October 24, 2020 for an iceboat swap meet that is jointly being hosted by the GLIYC and the area ice yacht clubs of Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, and Neenah. Joe explained that their swap meet is in “honor of the Skeeter Iceboat Club” and is a one-time event. The swap meet will take place in Green Lake, WI at the Terrace on the Town Square. Stay tuned for more details to come.
Throwback Thursday: 8mm Memories
Michigan’s Bill Parker converted his grandfather’s 8 mm ice boating films and uploaded them to YouTube. Take a look.
My father, Bill Parker, and my Grandfather, Howard Parker, built, sailed, and raced iceboats in the Battle Creek, Michigan area. These 8mm films are from the WWII era, primarily after the war. They were scanned from very neglected originals, and the quality is really bad. The original “cinematography” wasn’t great, and Dad was good at taking film of rig or boat details. Much of the footage is relatively static in nature, but there are action shots of iceboats here and there.
The most common iceboats shown are C-class, there is an A class boat or two, and also Skeeters. Grandpa owned an A-class boat for a few years called the “Gossoon”, and later, a Skeeter named “The Duchess.” Dad’s C-Class boat was “Valkyrie”.
I am sure of the Gouguac and Crystal lake venues, but unsure if the other venue is Lake St. Clair. I know they raced there, but also in Wisconsin venues. If you have any information about the venues or the boats, please feel free to comment. [On the YouTube page.]
2020-2021 Winter Forecast: There Will Be Iceboating Somewhere…Again
“Ice Yachts On The Hudson River” by Nicholas Kahn and Richard Selesnick. “They work primarily in the fields of photography and installation art, specializing in fictitious histories [much like winter weather forecasts – Ed.] set in the past or future. Website
You can trust our winter forecasts here at iceboat.org. We guarantee that there will be ice sailing somewhere in North America and around the world, hopefully near you! And make plans to attend your local iceboat swap meet this Saturday, October 24. Information below!
WINTER WEATHER GUESSES
Farmer’s Almanac
NOAA
Accuweather
John Dee’s Winter Outlook
ICEBOAT SWAP MEETS
EAST – THOMPSON, CONNECTICUT
New England Ice Yacht Club Swap Meet
Saturday, October 24
10 AM
Thompson Motor Speedway Golf Course
205 E Thompson Rd, Thompson, CT 06277
We will have lots of outdoor space for the swap meet, Lunch, and our Annual Meeting. You don’t have to come inside if you are not comfortable doing so but everyone should meet up in the parking lot. You do not have to be a member to attend the swap or other activities.
More information
WEST – GREEN LAKE, WISCONSIN
Green Lake Ice Yacht Club
Saturday, October 24
10 AM – 2 PM
Green Lake Town Square Parking Lot
Green Lake, WI
More information
WEST- DELAVAN, WISCONSIN
Delavan Yacht Club
Saturday, November 7, 2020
10 AM – 3 PM
Location: Delavan Yacht Club
1501 Cedar Point Drive
Delavan, WI
More information
How Do You Say HOLLYWOOD in Norwegian?
An intrepid ice skater who goes by the name “The Dutch Ice Finder” found the first of the season today on Lake Juvvanet in Norway and posted these heart-wrenchingly beautiful photos of perfect, fresh, black ice on his Facebook page. The season is soon upon us, folks.
See the “B” This Week
Ritz the puppy is intrigued by the MARY B being assembled.
In addition to the autumn colors, apples, and pumpkins, fall in Four Lakes means setting up your iceboat to make sure everything fits. The MARY B group set her up in a Westport field on Saturday.. Daniel Hearn also took advantage of the beautiful day and the large area to set up his C Skeeter. If you’d like to see the MARY B, she’ll be up all week. Don Sanford sends the following:
Mary B is waiting for you! Have you ever wanted to get an up-close and personal look at the Mary B but just haven’t felt up to braving the cold and hiking out onto the ice?
Well, here’s your chance. Our volunteers set her up today and now you can even visit from the comfort of your car.
She’s waiting for you in a wide-open field near the intersection of Hwy 113 and County Hwy M.
Set your GPS for 5341 W. River Road., Waunakee 53597. Once you’re on River Road, just follow the Mary B signs.
Volunteers will be there to show her to you, answer questions and maybe tell you a story from 1 pm – 4 pm as follows:
- Sunday, October 11
- Tuesday, October 13
- Wednesday, October 14
- Thursday, October 15
- Friday, October 16
Come on out this week, you won’t need a winter coat, gloves or your ice creepers!
Sorry about the late notice, but you know how it is with iceboats—conditions are always changing.
See you on the
icegrass.Please wear your mask.
Don
Frankie Hearn tests his dad’s C Skeeter.
DN Tech Talk: Gluing Chocks
Previous: Shimming Runners
Polish DNer Tomek Zakrzewski’s is back with another instructional Youtube video.
One of the ways to glue chocks to the runner plank using simple jig and MMA adhesive. Building ice sailing gears can be easier when we learn one from the other.
2021 4LIYC Notice of Dues
The 4LIYC member card: Don’t hike your Skeeter without it!
Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club Meeting Schedule
Like sharpening runners, a notice of dues is another hopeful sign that the ice sailing season is weeks away. The 4LIYC remains committed to promoting iceboating and continuing to bring you all the news from our Four Lakes to the ice sheets of the world. Your dues support iceboat.org, the Buy and Sell page, the 4LIYC ATV, and the equipment to run club races and regattas. It’s more crucial than ever to pay your dues by mail this season. You will not be able to hand our treasurer, Jerry Simon, your $20 membership fee at a 4LIYC meeting because we are temporarily moving to Zoom. You’ll receive this nifty membership card in the mail when you pay your dues. Club members will also receive an email with a link to our Zoom meetings where you will continue to learn the latest about the iceboating scene. Please make sure to include your email address with your dues.
THANK YOU for helping to support the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club.
Annual Dues:
Senior (Regular) Member $20
Student Member $10
Under 18 Years Old $10
Jerry Simon, Treasurer 4LIYC
3788 Highridge Road
Madison, WI 53718
Click here to download and print the membership form.
“Frank Tetzlaff: A Woodworking Genius”
An old windowsill from Madison house remodel leads to an iceboating story posted on the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation website.
Previous: 1934 Northwest Regatta
By Don Sanford
Ask any Madison iceboater if they know who Frank Tetzlaff is, you’ll get an earful. They’ll probably bend your ears for hours about two revolutionary iceboats he designed—the Fritz and the Mary B. In 1930, Frank established himself as one of the foremost iceboat designers in the Midwest when he designed and built the 38-foot Class A[1] stern steerer iceboat, the Fritz, for Madison iceboater and furniture dealer Fritz Jungbluth. The Fritz was a work of art and radically different from her contemporaries. But in iceboats beauty is only skin deep. It’s speed that counts and the Fritz was fast–real fast, winning regatta after regatta, bringing honor to her owner and hometown. Continue reading.
FRITZ, designed and built by Frank Tetzlaff.
C is OG
Daniel with Jerry Simon, another OG.
Daniel Hearn unveiled the C Skeeter’s new livery last weekend. Of course there’s a story….
Yo, Yo, Yo…What Up, Homies?
I’ve got less street cred than Mr. Rogers. Yet my kids call me “OG.” I know it’s actually to poke fun, but I’m perfectly comfortable with my dorkiness. Kind of like calling your iceboating buddy who’s last name is Davenport, “Couch.”
OG is short for “Original Gangsta.” To me it sounded like a good name for an iceboat. Yeah, it’s a skinny old white dude behind the bubble, but that’s what the tint is for. Perception is everything.
In Madison, we pride ourselves in “taking it to the man!” Early in their college careers, my kids were on board with that. Until they realized, “wait a minute, OG is “the man,” and that pays for my tuition. Maybe reality does trump perception now and then? (Not a political statement).
I was happy to have the Original, Original Gangsta, Jerry Simon, my brother Brian and the Global Communications Director of Ice Sailing, Deb Whitehorse for the assembly. Once I clearcoat the mast, align the runners, make an anti-mast flogging device and apply a few more decals, I’m ready for ice. Can’t wait!
BLACK ICE Discount
Photo: Sail Racing
Previous: “Introducing Black Ice”
Sail Racing recently introduced their Black Ice concept inspired by “dedicated sailors in the northern parts of North America that were designing and building advanced ice yachts capable of massive speeds on clear black ice.” (On a personal note, their gear has kept me warm and functioning on the ice from Lake Baikal to the middle-of-nowhere Montana.)
As a thank you to the ice sailing community, Sail Racing is offering a substantial discount and free shipping to the US.
Thank you Olivia and the rest of the Sail Racing team!
We would like to give you a 40% discount code, that you can share with the whole ice sailing community.
Code: blackice2020
The code is valid worldwide and throughout the year. You enter the discount code at the checkout and 40% will be deducted.
And right now there is free shipping to the US.
“Consumables”
Activities at area iceboat shops are in full swing as everyone prepares for the upcoming season. Over at the Krueger-Whitehorse Skeeter shop, PK vacuum-bagged his Class A Skeeter plank last week. In this short video, they are removing the burlap skin. The plank will be seeing some red soon.
In the News: Steve Orlebeke @ Seahorse Magazine
Pewaukee’s Steve Orlebeke is an accomplished iceboater who always has to save room in the truck to bring home the trophies when he competes at DN and Class A Skeeter regattas. Check out his article about DN racing in Seahorse Magazine.
Introducing Black Ice
Black Ice from Sail Racing on Vimeo.
Explore Black IceIn January of 2020, the Swedish high-performance clothing company Sail Racing sent their crew on an expedition to Lake Pepin on the Wisconsin Minnesota border to film Skeeters for their fall 2020 advertising campaign. They have filmed Skeeters in previous years including the 2013 International Skeeter Association Regatta (ISA) on Lake Kegonsa. Skeeter sailors and the Sail Racing folks had hoped for another ISA but regatta conditions never came together. However, Lake Pepin’s ice provided conditions for C Skeeter sailors Daniel Hearn and Pat Heppert which enabled the Sail Racing folks to complete their mission. Today they released the new line fittingly called Black Ice.
“Graciousness, attention to detail a way of life for Bill Mattison”
Bill & Mauretta Mattison. Photo: John Hart
Wisconsin State Journal
Graciousness, attention to detail a way of life for Bill Mattison
By Barry Adams
Idle is a rarely used gear for Bill Mattison.
The proof can be seen in the intricacies of miniature circus wagons that line the living-room shelves of his Madison home.
The wooden wagons, modeled after those at Circus World Museum in Baraboo, sport working brakes, tiny hinges and detailed paint jobs. One has a working steam calliope and another a series of thimble-sized cast iron bells tuned to specific pitches.
Continue reading.
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