International Skeeter Association Regatta
The International Skeeter Association (ISA) was organized in the late 1930s and the first ISA regatta was sailed in 1940. Skeeters were developed on Geneva Lake in Wisconsin. They are piloted by a single skipper and steer from the front of the boat as opposed to the original iceboats which were crewed by two or more and steered from the rear.
The Skeeter is the “Formula One” of ice yachting, a wide open development class where state-of-the-art sailing is seen annually. The only restriction on the Skeeter builder is a 75 square foot sail maximum sail area. While the basic configuration for successful E Skeeters has long been established, significant design improvements have been developed within the Four Lakes fleet. Taller rigs and rear seat Skeeters designed and built by 4LIYC members Bill Mattison and Paul Krueger have brought world championship titles to Madison skippers. In 1989, New Jersey’s Dan Clapp took the ice boating world by storm with his first front-seater and dominated the ISA regatta during the 1990s. Skeeter builders are adept with high tech materials like carbon fiber, and Kevlar. The super powerful Skeeters are the fastest boats on the ice. Sufficiently committed skippers find the greatest challenge in these boats, where design, building, and maintenance skills share equal roles with sailing ability
INTERNATIONAL SKEETER ASSOCIATION DUES NOTICE
NEW! Pay your ISA dues online here.
Or pay through the U.S. Mail: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT AN ISA MEMBERSHIP FORM
President Jason Thompson
jsthompsdds@hotmail.com
Vice President Pat Heppert
Pat.T.Heppert@saint-gobain.com
Secretary/Treas. Steve Schalk
W6001 Brick Church Rd
Fontana, WI 53125
262-275-2871
I564@charter.net
The annual dues are $25.00 for the 2023-2023 season, payable to:
International Skeeter Association
Steve Schalk, W6001 Brick Church RD, Fontana, WI 53125
December 1st, 2023 is the deadline for new items to be placed on the 2024 agenda.
January 12, 13, & 14, 2023 (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday) is the first scheduled weekend for the 2024 Regatta.
Remembering Lou Loenneke
Lou Loenneke flying the runner in his Class A Skeeter SLAVE SHIP
The ice sailing community mourns the loss of Lou Loenneke, a Skeeter Ice Boat Club member and a valued friend to many in the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club. Lou passed away peacefully in the hospital on November 15, 2024. Tributes have been pouring in on Facebook, where ice sailors are sharing memories, photos, and stories of a man who touched so many lives on and off the ice.
Lou was deeply committed to ice sailing and the community surrounding it. An avid sailor from an early age, he claimed the DN North American Junior Championship titles in 1962 and 1963. He was also an accomplished Skeeter sailor, where he won the 1970 Northwest Ice Yachting Association (NIYA) Regatta E Skeeter title and placed second in the Free For All race. His iconic Skeeter, SLAVE SHIP, appeared in a memorable advertisement for Lake Geneva’s Playboy Club during the 1970s.
Lou and life long friend, Bob Cave
In later years, Lou embraced the DN class and continued to excel. He captured the NIYA DN title six times (1988, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, and 2001) and won the DN North American Silver Fleet Championship in 1980. Lou was also a dedicated leader, serving as Commodore of the International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association from 2002 to 2004.
Lou was known as a generous and approachable figure in ice sailing. He freely shared his lifelong knowledge with seasoned sailors and newcomers, always striving to help others improve and enjoy the sport he loved dearly. (As an example, previous: The Old Man and the C)
The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club extends its deepest sympathies to Lou’s family, the Skeeter Ice Boat Club, and the global DN community. You will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
UPDATE: Via Jason Thompson, Commodore of the Skeeter Iceboat Club in Lake Geneva, WI
Lou grew up iceboating. Once he settled in to the DN class, he and Jane Pegel anchored a deep fleet of talented sailors. Names like Pete Johns, Robert Cummins, Bob Rast, Bob Cave, Pat Fitzgerald, John Zils, Erich Schloemer, Steve Orlebeke, Chris Berger, Mike Jankowski, Erik Lonnecke, Clinton Rengi, and Scottie Button were battling on the ice for many seasons.
Like Jane and Buddy, Lou was tireless in his promotion of iceboating. Lou was an open book when it came to sharing his knowledge. When I began to race DNs I called on Jane and Scottie for advice on how to tune up. Same answer, “Go see Lou…” In the fall, Lou’s garage was packed with iceboaters, projecting and getting tuned for the season. The Wizard of Zenda would always stop in if the driveway was full. Buddy would kick the door open, “I had to park in the damn street! What the hell we working on today??”
Lou was one of the pioneers of The Western Challenge Regatta for DNs. The annual event is an amazing gathering of iceboaters looking for the first, and maybe only, ‘Hollywood Ice’ of the season. Canadian and European sailors will travel to this event which takes place on the best ice in Minnesota the first weekend of December—90 boats last year. Back in the day before the regatta, an agitated Lou would phone up Bob Cave: “You know they’ve gotten in four days of sailing in already…” referring to the MN iceboaters. Lou began to recruit sailors to head north for weekend scrub racing, laying the foundation for the Western Challenge.
I am forever indebted to Lou and Bob Cave for the hours they spent with me trying to get me and the SIBC DNs up to speed. Both incredible ambassadors. I Invision Lou is now sailing on better than Hollywood ice without the bite of frost on his hands and toes. Sheet in, Lou.
Jason Thompson, SIBC Commodore
Lou’s SLAVE SHIP in the Playboy magazine ad
Frank Trost’s TUSCARORA Lives On
TUSCORA, a beautifully maintained vintage Skeeter, once owned by Frank Trost of the Pewaukee Ice Yacht Club, was exhibited at an antique boat show yesterday. Frank Trost’s boat holds a special place in the history of ice yachting, with deep ties to Pewaukee’s ice sailing community. Along with a newly sent photo of the restored boat, we’ll revisit its history and legacy.
Tim Fredman shared the photos and wrote: “I helped Rob Ritter (brother of John at S&R Marine) set this up for an antique boat club gathering yesterday. John is the current caretaker of the equipment, having been given it by Don and Mary Schwister, who were the prior caretakers. Frank Trost was one fine man and a great iceboater. To me, it looks like a survivor. Not much different than the last time I saw it about 45 years ago. Runners, sails, horses, parts, etc are all on the trailer looking as if it just returned from a regatta!”
PREVIOUS: Pegel Slide Collection: Frank Trost & TUSCARORA
by Deb Whitehorse | Jun 4, 2018 | 2017-2018, Bob & Jane Pegel Slides, Home Page, ISA
Frank Trost TUSCARORA III
Frank Trost, along with his neighbor William Perrigo, was another legendary E Skeeter sailor from Pewaukee, WI. Trost and Perrigo captured the 1953 Ice Yacht Challenge Pennant the first time the race was held in the Midwest after Fox Lake’s Eddie Rollberg won it out east in 1952. Trost was part of the winning team that went on to win it another 3 times.
Frank Trost gave one of my favorite descriptive quotes about ice boating to a Russian reporter in 1960:
From “Sailing In the Cold Region“, a Russian magazine article published in 1960:
Frank Trost, Perrigo’s neighbor, describes even poetical a ride on his “Tuscarora”:- Iceboat comes alive, he begins to talk to you. Was I somehow on Lake Delavan. Gusts crosswind reached 80 km / h. I didn’t feel under itself, but the “Tuscarora” didn’t obey. It seemed to fly through the air; only the wind howled in the wires and whistled – people standing on the bank told us that the boat roared like a jet plane – and in my helmet was a rumble that I have not heard the creaking of the runners. After the arrival, from flying in all directions icicles Trost’s face was covered with hundreds of tiny cuts. But the little things it did not disturb. As many iceboat sailors, he doesn’t recognize the face masks. He argues that in order to determine the speed of a good sailor should feel the wind on his face and trap slightest changes, skillfully using them to speed up the movement. It is worth and cause injury to the blood!
Mattison – Ripp Week: Celebrating Two Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club Legends
Bill Mattison Archives
Jack Ripp Archives
As promised last August, it’s time for the second annual Mattison Ripp Week, when we honor the incredible legacy of two Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club sailors—Bill Mattison and Jack Ripp—who were fierce competitors and lifelong friends. This August, both Bill and Jack would have turned 96 years old.
This post features one of my favorite photos of them, capturing a moment before they headed to the 1962 International Skeeter Association (ISA) regatta on Lake Geneva. Jack Ripp entered the regatta as the defending champion, but 1962 was Bill Mattison’s year to shine, winning the ISA just 2 points ahead of Jack.
While the newspapers of that time only offered a little coverage of the regatta, we are fortunate to have Jane Pegel’s excellent day-by-day report in the ISA News and Views. Her detailed account allows us to relive those days’ excitement and celebrate the remarkable achievements of these two sailing legends.
A Good Day On the Ice – 1970 ISA Memories
The recent passing of Gloria Melges reminded Don Sanford of a film clip from Bill Mattison’s collection taken at the 1970 International Skeeter Association Regatta, which was sailed on Lake Mendota from February 27 to March 1. Don shared this clip which shows a happy day on the ice for the Melges family and other assorted characters. It also brought back memories because I was there to watch my dad, Dave Rosten, and Buddy Melges tie for first place in that event.
Link to Video
Here’s how the News and Views reported the regatta:
FRUSTRATING REGATTA CAPS OFF FRUSTRATING SEASON
For Midwest iceboaters, this was anything but a dream season. Light air, snow on new ice, flurries that drifted into mountains, bitter cold and rain showers all tested the iceboater’s determination to enjoy his “Thing.”
When the I.S.A. Championship was finally convened at Madison on February 27, it seemed as though the pain was to continue. The wind was non-existent and when it did come, it was light. As the regatta progressed throughout the three days, some of the races failed to make the time limit. Attempts were made to re-sail the abandoned races. But not all could be completed. Nevertheless, the competition was keen and some deserving champions were crowned.
75 Years of News & Views – Now Online!
Steve Schalk, Secretary/Treasurer of Northwest and ISA, has dedicated countless hours to preserving 75 years of essential iceboating history from the International Skeeter Association newsletter, News and Views. In the past few days, I’ve uploaded the PDFs to iceboat.org, making the complete archive easily accessible on the website. It’s a privilege to share this invaluable resource with everyone. Visit the ISA News & Views archives here.
Welcome to the News and Views Archive. This collection has been digitized in searchable pdf format directly from the official document collections of the International Skeeter Association and the Northwestern Ice Yachting Association.
In the 1950’s and earlier, the two Associations published documents such as meeting minutes and race results separately. Beginning in the 1960’s, the publication “ISA News and Views” was used to gather and publish news, meeting information, race results, member lists, local club news, and a for sale section.
The collection is organized by Iceboat racing season, which stretches from fall of one year through spring of the following year. The order of seasons starts with the most recent and goes back to 1948-49 season.
The content gives an insight into developments in iceboating over the last 75 years, with the voices and images of many of the most prominent competitors, designers and builders appearing in these pages.
I hope you enjoy your journey back in time using these archives.
LINK TO ARCHIVES
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
Northwestern Ice Yachting Association
INTERNATIONAL SKEETER ASSOCIATION
Regatta Watch: ISA & WSSA Postponed Until Dec 2024
Photo: Shane Lewis – Silverfoxviz – See all Northwest photos here
INTERNATIONAL SKEETER ASSOCIATION REGATTA
The ISA Race Committee has postponed the 2024 Regatta to December 2024. We will be looking for perfect early season ice like we had at Battle Lake Minnesota in 2018.Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
WISCONSIN STERN STEERERS ASSOCIATION
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to December, 2024. Unfortunately this was a short season chasing thin ice. Being optimists, iceboaters always look forward to next season.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
Regatta Watch: 2024 ISA Postponed to March 8 – 10
NIYA B Skeeter First Place – Jim McDonagh – Photo: Kevin Barta
The 2024 International Skeeter Association Regatta is postponed until March 8 – 10. Hoping for a cool down after next weekend’s forecasted warm temperatures. Next update, Sunday, March 3, 2024.
Feb 18, 2024 Regatta Watch: NIYA, ISA & Renegade Championship Called ON for Feb 23-25
NORTHWEST
The Northwestern Ice Yachting Association Race Committee has called the 2024 regatta on for a yet to be determined Minnesota location north and west of St. Cloud. The dates are February 23rd-25th.The lakes are still to be final checked for surface and launch conditions. There are potential lakes in the Alexandria area, where lodging may be an issue, and lakes further north.
The final call will be made as soon as possible, but Wednesday February 21st by noon at the latest.
ISA
The International Skeeter Association Race Committee has made the same call on for February 23rd-25th. In the event the Northwest is held the ISA will defer and postpone.Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
NIYA & ISA
A Big Thanks to NIYA & ISA Ice Checkers
A message from NIYA & ISA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk:
The Race Committees for the Northwest and ISA regattas, would like to acknowledge all the efforts of our ice checkers who have been scouting and sailing potential regatta sites. Pat Heppert and Chris Wiberg spent an entire weekend driving the width of Minnesota setting up their boats and test sailing multiple lakes. Terry Reynolds and Mike Peters sailed Little Bay De Noc, and Jim McDonagh drove up to Lake Osakis on Wednesday at dawn sailed his DN all over the lake, then drove back in a whiteout. We all owe them a big thank you for the huge efforts made to find a place for us to have an event. Many thanks to you guys.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
NIYA & ISA
Feb 14, 2024 Regatta Watch: Postponement for ISA & NIYA
Patience
NORTHWEST
The Northwestern Ice Yachting Association Race Committee has postponed the 2024 Regatta to February 23rd, 24th, and 25th. A combination of incoming snow, snowy travel, 5.5 rated surface with high winds forecast led to the postponement.ISA
The International Skeeter Association Race Committee has postponed one week to February 23rd-25th. If the Northwest is held that weekend the ISA will defer.Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
NIYA & ISA
Regatta Watch: NIYA Or ISA Called ON for Feb 16-18 in MN or WI
NORTHWEST:
The 2024 Northwestern Regatta is on for Lake Osakis Minnesota for February 16th, 17th and 18th. The final call with details on the launch site located off Lake street in downtown Osakis will be made on Wednesday by noon.INTERNATIONAL SKEETER ASSOCIATION & RENEGADE CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2024 ISA Regatta and Renegade Championship is also called on for a location to be determined in Minnesota or Wisconsin. If the Northwest is confirmed on Wednesday, the ISA will defer and postpone.NEXT UPDATE: Wednesday, February 14 by 12 PM CT.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
NIYA and ISA
Regatta Watch: ISA & Northwest Postponed
Rob Evans sails his A Class Skeeter on Lake Monona, January 15, 2022. Photo: Joe Berger
NORTHWEST:
The NIYA is postponed one week to February 16th, 17th, and 18th 2024. Colder weather returning The week of the 12th should provide one or more viable locations.Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
Northwestern Ice Yachting Association
ISA:
The ISA Regatta is postponed to February 16th, 17th, and 18th, 2024. Colder temperatures the week of February 12th will allow for multiple locations to become available.Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
Regatta Watch: 2024 ISA & NIYA Postponed to Feb 9-11
Greg McCormick
The Northwest and International Skeeter Association & Renegade Championship Race Committees have postponed for one week to February 9th, 10th, and 11th, 2024. Both Committees determined that the high temperatures, sun, and lack of overnight freezing will make the ice too soft for acceptable regatta conditions. The presence of plenty of ice that should stay in place until colder weather arrives gives us a good chance coming later in February.
Steve Schalk
NIYA & ISA Secretary/Treasurer
Waconia PUFFER
Link to Video
Speaking of Lake Waconia, here’s Jim McDonagh’s video from Sunday, January 28, 2024 on Lake Waconia in Minnesota sailing the B Skeeter PUFFER.
Regatta Watch: Northwest AND ISA Called ON for Feb 2-4 on Lake Waconia, MN
Ken Whitehorse / Photo: Dave Delap
A Regatta Watch two-for-one tonight:
The Northwest Ice Yachting Association Regatta is called on for Lake Waconia, Minnesota for February 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 2024. The final call will be made by noon on Wednesday January 31st.
The International Skeeter Association and Renegade Championship are also called on for the same location and date. If the Northwest is called on Wednesday, the ISA & Renegade Championship will be postponed. If the Northwest postpones on Wednesday, the ISA Race Committee will determine if the ISA & Renegade Championship can proceed or be postponed. That decision will be announced at noon on Wednesday January 31st as well.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
NIYA & ISA
ISA Newsletter Archive
