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I’ve been in Rattvik, Sweden, on Lake Siljan, helping with the fourth annual 2023 DN Grand Masters Regatta, a three-day event for sailors 60 years and older. Hal Bowman US1277 and Mike Bloom US123 are the first Americans to ever participate in the regatta.
Lake Siljan is 137 square miles, formed 377 million years ago by a meteor. It’s almost as big as Lake Winnebago at 215 square miles.
There were three Skeeters that came out to watch yesterday. I was too busy to be able to get a closer look. I’ll try to get better pictures today, the last day of the regatta.
-Deb
World’s earliest wind surfer? “Ollerus traverses the sea on his magic bone. 16th-century woodcut. Olaus Magnus, “Historia de gentibus septentrionalibus.”
Summer Solstice is behind us; we are on course for the next ice sailing season. Nordic countries have marked Midsommer since Pagan times when Thor and Odin ruled the north. I stumbled upon Ull, a Norse God who was the fastest deity around and patron of our favorite time of year. Ull could transform the shield he carried into a boat and bones into skates. With that much power, it’s not a stretch to believe his bow was basically a mast. Put his boat, bone skates, and mast together, and that’s an iceboat. In some Norse mythology accounts, Ull married Skadi, the Goddess of winter and cold. It’s five months until the Western Challenge, the season’s first fun DN regatta. Sharpen those bones!
Paul Krueger’s Class A Skeeter on Lake Monona, March 2022.
Good morning from Putnam, Illinois, the 2022 DN U.S. Nationals site. Senachawine Lake is about 2.5 hours south of Madison, WI and being south, 10 degrees warmer than Madison. But the difference between -16F and -5F is negligible. The Skipper’s Meeting is scheduled for 11 AM, with racing at 1 PM. Follow the regatta on the IDNIYRA page, where updates will be posted. Provisional results are here.
Back in the 80s, many 4LIYC Skeeter racers towed their rigs to the regattas in camper trucks. Some were M98, M96, M98, M161, M162, M1000, M150, M197, and many more. It was a rendezvous on ice! The wind was always moderate to heavy, and the ice was fast, clear, and deep. We enjoyed bacon and eggs at sunrise, and the flag was up at ten. Races were so plentiful there was a mandatory break for lunch and time to tune up your racer. I remember one time when Nelson M150 made lasagna for lunch. Her camper had an oven! Then we assembled back to our starting blocks after lunch at 1, followed by racing, tear-down, and smart-talk while sipping a few dippers at 4. Then the short walk to Norton’s for the Smoker and more smart-talk. As you see, I am making ready to experience those iceboat racing days again. See you all at the 2021 Western Challenge.
Ken Whitehorse M197
The usual suspects – Left to Right: Harvey Witte, Gary Sternberg, Susie Whitehorse, Greg Whitehorse, Gary & Barb Whitehorse, Sandy Witte, Ken & Walter Whitehorse.
It’s birthday week for 4LIYC Skeeter skipper Walter Whitehorse who celebrated 95 turns around the sun a few days ago. Nephew Gary Whitehorse posted a tribute on the 4LIYC Facebook page, which prompted another Skeeter sailor Harvey Wittee to remember a trip with Walter to the 1975 International Skeeter Association Regatta sailed at Saratoga, New York. Previous: 1975 ISA slides from Gary Whitehorse and commentary by Dan Clapp ISA Regatta Records
Since it was Wally’s 95th Birthday the other day, it reminded me of our photos of the ISA at Saratoga Lake in 1975. These photos were taken by Preston Shreeve who was an ice boater from New Jersey. Him and his wife were in the motel room next to us and they were the most delightful and enjoyable people to become acquainted with. You meet so many wonderful people ice boating.
Hope you enjoy the blast from the past!
This is a photo of the Eastern ISA Wind Indicator that was constructed by Kenny.
As I recall if there was enough wind to blow out the candle, the Eastern boats could sail.
And if there was enough wind to make the dead fish move, the Western boats could sail.
You should double check with Kenny since he is the one who built it.
Here is a picture of Preston taking a photo of the wind indicator. Also attached is the letter
from Preston about the wind indicator photo shoot.
Back in the 80s, many 4LIYC Skeeter racers towed their rigs to the regattas in camper trucks. Some were M98, M96, M98, M161, M162, M1000, M150, M197, and many more. It was a rendezvous on ice! The wind was always moderate to heavy, and the ice was fast, clear, and deep. We enjoyed bacon and eggs at sunrise, and the flag was up at ten. Races were so plentiful there was a mandatory break for lunch and time to tune up your racer. I remember one time when Nelson M150 made lasagna for lunch. Her camper had an oven! Then we assembled back to our starting blocks after lunch at 1, followed by racing, tear-down, and smart-talk while sipping a few dippers at 4. Then the short walk to Norton’s for the Smoker and more smart-talk. As you see, I am making ready to experience those iceboat racing days again. See you all at the 2021 Western Challenge.
