2020 Northwest Ice Yacht Racing Association Information
March 13-15,2020
Lake Waconia, Minnesota
Frozen Potato
Photo: Michael Kroll
High marks for creative use of a Renegade sail!
Via Michael Kroll’s Facebook page:
First sail of the season. White Potato Lake WI. Wind was blowing upper teens with much stronger gusts. First time sailing my new boat “Sunshine”. We ended up with 4 sailors and 4 boats. Terry Reynolds sailing his Nite, Mike Derusha sailing his yellow DN type boat, Andy Gratton sailing his steel boat and me sailing Sunshine. Fun time had by all!
Remembering Escanaba Iceboating
…an ice boat off the frozen lake shore across from the present day Escanaba Athletic Field in the winter of 1955.
Read more on the Escanaba Daily Press.
America’s Cup Concept Boat Revealed
Iceboating on water?
Watch the video here. Tip of the Helmet, Mike Peters.
Harry Whitehorse 1927-2017
Always an innovator, Harry built this front-seater Class A Skeeter in the early 1970s.
ENTERPRISE by Harry Whitehorse
MONONA-Harry R. Whitehorse, age 90, of Monona, WI passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Capital Lakes on Wednesday, November 29, 2017. He was born on October 11, 1927, in a wigwam near Black River Falls, Wisconsin to Ralph Rubin and Annie Greencrow Whitehorse. He belonged to the Ho- Chunk Bear Clan.
Harry was a World War II Naval Veteran and served in the Pacific Theater. He married Marlene (Dreger) in 1951 in Madison. Together they had 8 children and were married 35 years until Marlene’s passing in 1986. Harry married Debra Rosten in 1993 and had a daughter, June.
Iceboat Ike at Chuck’s
Harry led a remarkable life with both family and accomplishments. He owned and operated Chief Auto Body & Repair for nearly 45 years. He drove and owned several race cars after the war years, competing with the Badger Midget Auto Racing Assoc. He was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman with many successful deer and pheasant hunts. He was a Wisconsin State Trap Shooting Champion. He was also a member of the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club, enshrined on the clubs Honor Roll. Harry was an avid bowler at Monona Village Lanes. He sponsored Chief Auto Body football and softball teams and played on them as well, always insisting he was the quarterback or pitcher. He could dance a mean polka and even blast out a few songs on the trumpet and flute. He loved classical music along with classic country.
Harry created iceboating’s best known cartoon, Iceboat Ike.
Harry was best known for his extraordinary artwork and creativity. Skilled in metal sculpture, snow sculpture, wood carving, Halloween costumes (like the legendary gorilla), jewelry, and oil painting, his work always included strong themes of nature, his Ho-Chunk heritage, or family. He has many public sculptures in the Madison area and all over the world. He won best of show in Madison’s first two Art Fair on the Square competitions. Harry used all the talents he was given and was driven to create most every day of his life.
Harry is survived by his wife Debra, his children, Gary (Barb) Whitehorse, Greg (Julie) Whitehorse, Pam Whitehorse, A.J. (Annette) Whitehorse, Dawn (Brenton) Oashgar, and June Whitehorse. Harry is also survived by his brothers Walter and Paul, sisters Alberta (Sam) Starnes, and Helen Whitehorse, and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Marlene, his siblings David and Mildred, his children Ronald, Brett (Vic), and Lisa.
The family extends heartfelt appreciation to the third floor Health Center staff at Capitol Lakes and Agrace Hospice.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, with funeral to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Monona United Methodist Church at 606 Nichols Rd., Monona, WI. Rev. Brad Van Fossen officiating, Foster Funeral and Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements.
WSSA Newsletter
The season is revving up in the Stern-Steerer class. Via Wisconsin Stern Steerer Secretary Andy Gratton, the 2018 WSSA Season Newsletter.Read it here.
Western Challenge Called ON
Go Time
Via Minnesota iceboating.net where you will find all the official information you need to attend this fun DN regatta:
The Great Western Challenge is called on for Dec 1-3, 2017. Primary Site is North Long Lake. 5 miles north of Brainerd, MN. The boys did a great job scouting in light air.
Do You Know the Rules?
Rule 8a Windward Mark Right of Way No Foul
You’ve re-familiarized yourself by now with the concepts of sailing safe. Now is the time to check your knowledge of the racing rules in a test created by Godie Gottke G-4 over on the DN Europe website.
The test is now available in English, German, Russian, Hungarian, French, Finnish, Polish, and Czech.Study for the test with the Iceboating Right of Way Rules graphic and the animated course guide created by Dave Elsmo.
It won’t be long until we meet on the ice again!
Jeff Davis
Jeff, Carter, and Jay Davis.
The iceboating community lost one of our most avid stern-steerer sailors, Jeff Davis, on November 18. Our deepest condolences to the Davis family. They always make the effort to attend regattas. Jeff will be missed. His funeral will be held on Saturday, November 25 in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Read his obituary here.
Andy Gratton writes:
I am sorry to report that one of our younger stern-steerer members, Jeff Davis, 42, lost the battle with cancer on November 18. He and his brother Jay restored and sailed the C boat “Flirt” for the last couple decades. Prior to that they both raced DNs. Jeff loved being on the ice and made many trips from Iowa with his brother and his dad, John, to sail regattas with us. He was looking forward to being well enough to attend the 2018 Northwest and to bring his son for the first time. He will be missed.
Finn DNs!
DNs race for the start at the All Saints Regatta in Rauna, Finland.
Just back from the beautiful country Finland only 70 km from the Arctic Circle where I attended the first regatta of the European season, the Johnny Kohler Cup and All Saints regatta. Will write more later after some catching up. In the meantime, here are some photos. More on the DN Finland website.
Safety Review
Take time to make sure you have a great ice sailing season by reviewing the Sailing Safe page of this website. You’ll find articles on “High and Dry Iceboating”, “Sailing Smart and Safe”, cold water survival videos, a link to “Think Ice Safely and Rules of the Road”, gear recommendations, and much more. Racers should review the right-of-way rules.
The Power of Wind
Google Translate sometimes misses the mark: “All You Need to Know About Sailing Cars Gliding On Ice” though it does seem fitting considering the guy in the Skeeter, Paul Krueger’s other speed passion is open-wheel racing.
Ran across this in-depth article via Facebook about iceboating from “The Power of Wind” a Russian sailing website. The MARY B even gets a mention! Google’s translation could be better but if you are interested in the history of the sport around the world and in Russia, it’s worth taking a few minutes to read.
In the minds of most people who first heard the word “iceboat”, there is absolutely no association. Yes, and the description that it is a boat, put on skates, also does not particularly clarify the already confusing picture. Paradoxical in this situation is that the iceboat is not a newfangled entertainment and not the pampering of amateur designers, but a real sport with all the attendant attributes: international competitions, division into classes, clearly stipulated regulations and, most importantly, its long history.
Continue reading. (Links to Google’s English translation.)
First Minnesota Nice Ice!
Just as I was editing the previous entry about Montana’s first ice, received this photo from Minnesota ice sailor, Mike Bloom, who has his DN rigged for the first ride of the season on Lake Christina in Minnesota, the site of many Western Challenge fun regattas.
5 PM UPDATE:
Christina provided smiling faces on Opening Day!
Fast Montana Second!
Our western friends check in with their first sail of the 17-18 season. Patrick Dillon sends this beautiful Montana landscape with Dave Gluek at the helm of a DN.
Making Nite Dust
Photo: Tim Stanton. Lars Barber and Doug Kolner taking away what is not needed for the new Nite plank.
Planers and sanders are making dust as iceboat parts are being produced in shops around the Four Lakes region. After a trip to McCormick Lumber yesterday for some Sitka Spruce, the guys at the Belle Isle Boatworks – Stanton Campus began working on a new Nite plank for Lars Barber.
FIRST!
DN sailor Mike Madge opened the North American ice sailing season in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada today. He reports on his Facebook page:
First sail of the year. Went from using FO1 in the morning to a Speed Sail then just skating.Fun day but really windy,almost had my first out of boat experience as the gusts were huge. Nice hard black ice with less the a cm of snow cover.Too windy to film sailing using an IPad.
The Ice Maker is working overtime tonight in the Midwest with temperatures of 8F tonight in western Minnesota!
The First Ingredients
Photo via Mike Miller posted on Minnesota Iceboaters Facebook Page. Lake Christina at 4:30 Monday Nov 6, 2017.
The Iceman Cometh! From Montana to Minnesota to Finland, ice is coming online and the sailing season will commence shortly! Who will be first?*
*Disclaimer: Observe all precautions when checking ice. Sail Safe and Smart!
Steve Schalk Acting Secretary of ISA & NIYA
Steve Schalk at the 2015 ISA at Escanaba. Photo: Gretchen Dorian gretchendorian.com
Skeeter Iceboat Club B-Skeeter sailor Steve Schalk is now the acting Secretary and Treasurer of both the Northwest Ice Yachting Association (NIYA) and International Skeeter Association (ISA), He will be the acting Secretary/Treasurer until the Officer elections at both annual meetings.
Steve along with his wife, Mary Jane, recently met with the retiring Secretary/Treasurer of the NIYA & ISA, Paul Krueger, and began the process of transferring files, a daunting task considering how long Paul has been an officer for the organizations. If you have a question or comment for Steve and his “helper”, Mary Jane, please email to them.
The iceboating community thanks Paul for his amazing legacy and dedication to the sport of ice yachting. He’s been taking care of the business of the ISA and NIYA since the 1960s! Greg Whitehorse said it best on a Facebook post:
“PK is definitely one of the most influential figures in our sport. A designer, builder and championship winning sailor, along with being an important administrative officer on a regional and national level. And he is still yanking the go fast rope in his A Skeeter, Rambl’n (not sure what number).”
Paul Krueger pushes his Class A Skeeter as Dave Nelson watches. This may be the first rear-seat Skeeter that Paul built. The design went on to become highly popular because it improved visibility. Photo: Gary Whitehorse
As many of you know, Paul had a rough summer because of health issues. The good news is that he’s back home focusing on getting stronger by the day. We all look forward to seeing him back in ‘RAMBLN as soon as he is able. Iceboaters are a tough breed!
Sights at Skeeter Iceboat Club Swap Meet
The rain stayed away for the Skeeter Iceboat Club’s annual swap meet. The swap meet always provides the perfect venue to catch up with old friends and meet new people who are interested in ice sailing. We hope to see all of you out on the ice this season! Thank you Jane and Suzie Pegel for organizing the swap meet and handling the traditional raffle.
Skeeter Looking For Ice
The first 4LIYC Skeeter sail of the season was hoisted up the mast on Halloween. Jim Gluek looked over the sails on Ken Whitehorse’s Class A Skeeter WARRIOR.
Madison Nites – Mark November 9th!
Via the International Nite Iceboat Association Secretary, John Hayashi:
Hey, Four Lakes Nite sailors we want you!
On Thursday November 9th we are meeting out at Springer’s for a night of Nites. Starting at 7pm we are going to do some dinner and drinks and discuss getting ready for the 2017-18 season. If you have a Nite come join us, if you had a Nite come join as well, if you are looking for one come as well. This is a great opportunity to get questions answered about your boat tuning, where to race this winter, and any questions you might have. If you are a 4LIYC member you are welcome as well. For RSVP and more info contact Jthayashi@aol.com
What: A Night of Nites. Learn more about boat set up and meet other area Nite sailors.
Where: Springer’s on Lake Kegonsa
3097 Sunnyside St, Stoughton, WI 53589
When: Thursday, November 9, 2017
Time: 7PM
RSVP/Information: Jthayashi@aol.com
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