Renegade Iceboats

International Renegade Ice Yacht Racing Association.
Affordable One Design Ice Yachts.

Rooted in DN & Skeeter Design

Elmer Millenbach’s timeless design introduced much of what modern ice yachting is today.

Organized in 1947

The IRIYRA was formed to promote the Renegade ice yacht.

About the Renegade Iceboat

The Renegade is an excellent boat for those seeking spirited on-design racing. It has been a winner and trend-setter ever since its unveiling in 1947, providing many of the design features found in today’s Skeeters. The Renegade bears 67 square feet of sail on a bendy wing spar, making it a powerful racing yacht in a small package. It is compact and light enough to be car-topped. The local Renegade fleet has seen tremendous growth as many skippers move to perhaps the fastest of the one-designs. For more information on the Renegade class, contact the Renegade Association. Detailed plans are available on this webpage in the links above or  from the IRIYA (for a mere twenty bucks).

Reflections & Resolutions – 4LIYC Meeting Recap


NORTHWEST FREE FOR ALL TROPHY HISTORY
Last night, the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club gathered for its final season meeting at the Four Lakes Yacht Club. The event was memorable, with Lars Barber in charge of pizza pick-up, Daniel Hearn bringing the essential bottle of Irish whiskey, and Ken Whitehorse hauling in the historic Northwest pots and pans. We honored our Northwest champions and paid tribute to the legacy of Tim McCormick while also remembering other departed members. The gathering brought together familiar faces, including those from Green Lake and Oshkosh, adding to the camaraderie. Ken Whitehorse showcased the Northwest Skeeter Trophy and the Northwest Free For All Trophy, awarded at the first Northwest regatta in 1913.

Despite the shortness of this sailing season, we are always optimistic and are already laying the groundwork for an exceptional season ahead. The club is gearing up to host the Southern Wisconsin Iceboat Swap Meet next fall and brainstorming ways to make it an unmissable event.
Video link to Ice Sailors Irish Blessing.

 

 

Eight Bells: Tim McCormick

Peter, Tim, and Greg McCormick on Lake Kegonsa, March 2023

OBITUARY INFORMATION
Visitation & Funeral

11 AM Friday, March 15, 2024
Monona Terrace and Convention Center
1 John Nolen Dr.
Madison, WI 53703
The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club mourns the loss of our esteemed member, Tim McCormick, who passed away early this morning after a prolonged illness.

As news of Tim’s passing spreads, I wrote this post during and after the annual meeting of the DN class in Waconia, MN, and asked Ron Sherry for some comments. He remarks, “We lost an icon of the iceboating community who has won International Skeeter Association and Northwest Regatta Renegade titles, was a great class representative, and helped to grow the sport. Ha has served as our secretary-treasurer of the National Iceboat Authority since Jane Pegel retired and has done an outstanding job of taking iceboating in the future.” On a more personal note, I have fond memories of being able to spend time with Tim, his brother Andy, and cousin Peter last March on Lake Kegonsa, Tim’s last time ice sailing.

We extend our deepest condolences to Tim’s family and friends during this difficult time. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

UPDATE: The ice sailing community is posting tributes and condolences to Tim on the 4LIYC Facebook page. Jane Pegel emailed this last night: “The iceboating community will have a difficult time finding someone to replace Tim McCormick. He was outstanding both on the race course and the time-he devoted to the National Iceboat Authority .
With respect, Jane Pegel”

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.

 

2024 Northwest: Day 2 – AM Update

Renegaders Doug Kolner and Mike Derusha at the one and two blocks.

PROVISIONAL RESULTS
EVENT PAGE

Update –  Post updated to include the real location. The webmaster regrets the error and blames it on not enough coffee. The 2024 Northwest Regatta kicked off on Lake WACONIA in Minnesota on Friday, February 23, the first one held in five years.

The winds remained relatively steady throughout most of the day, ranging from 8 to 12 mph. The Race Committee had to reset the course twice. However, as the day progressed, the winds began to fade. The last Stern Steerer, B Skeeter, and DN races were black-flagged because of the time limit.

The bumpy ice conditions tested each sailor’s skills. After each race, sailors had to check all fittings to ensure they remained secure, noted DNer John Harper (US60) from Michigan.

TIME CHANGE FOR FIRST RACE
Saturday, February 24, 2024 Schedule Update
9 AM: First Race. Stern Steerers Race #2
Followed by B & C Skeeter Race #2
Normal rotation then resumes:
DN
Renegade
E Skeeter
A,B,C,D Stern Steerer
ISA B & C Skeeter

Michigan Renegader Peter Sarelis turns the hotel hallway into a sail loft.

Regatta Watch: NIYA Called ON for Waconia, MN Feb 23-25

DN Class: Spouses Julie Richards & Dick Wollam draw 1 & 2 for the start at the 2010 Northwest

The Northwestern Ice Yachting Association has called the 2024 championship regatta for February 23-25th at Lake Waconia Minnesota. This is the final call, launch site is Lake Waconia regional park on Paradise lane. Hotel information will be available tomorrow February 21st.

The ISA Championship is postponed to March 1st-3rd 2024.

Steve Schalk

Secretary/treasurer

NIYA & ISA

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