RESULTS

Dave Travis Photo Gallery added January 28, 2003

John Schroeder Photo Gallery added January 29, 2003

Freelance photographer Pat Dunsworth's 2002 & 2003 NIYA photos can now be viewed online where you can order not only the picture, but coffee cups, mouse pads, and many other items upon which your boat can be memorialized. 

January 26, 2003
The North West Ice Yacht Association Regatta was sailed on Lake Winnebago at Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin on January 24 and 25, 2003. Seventy-five boats registered for three-day regatta which was called complete after two days because of Sunday's bitter-cold temperatures. Each of the four classes were able to sail two races on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, the usual 10:00 AM start was postponed until 12:30 PM due to a temperature of less than ten degrees. The ice was somewhat bumpy and hard. Winds were moderate and my guess is that they were from 8-15 mph. An all too common malady everywhere in Wisconsin this winter, goose holes, were present somewhat off the course and were marked by Christmas trees and the geese.

The DNs were the first class to start off the regatta and John Dennis led all three laps to victory- a feat which he would repeat in the next race. Mike Derusha dominated the Renegade class and sailed his way to two victories. Jay Yaeso also found Friday's conditions to his liking and won both Skeeter races. The World's Largest Ice Boat ™, the Deuce, took top honors in both Stern-Steer races.

Friday night's annual NIYA meeting was hosted by the Lallier's at their restaurant, Oscars. Everyone enjoyed a famous Wisconsin Friday night fish fry during the business meeting.

The DNs again started things rolling on Saturday  morning in a stronger wind. John Dennis was unbeatable and led every lap in both races. Greg Simon took the checkers in the first Renegade race, but Mike Derusha was not to be denied in the last race thus clinching that title. The Skeeters also mixed things up a bit with Tom Hyslop taking first in their first race. Jay Yaeso came back to win the final race and the Skeeter championship. The Deuce won the overall Stern Steerer and A Stern Steerer title. Steve Schalk won the Boecraft E Skeeter trophy.

The Lallier brother's Flying Dutchman cracked her boom during the last Stern Steerer race and was unable to finish. Towards the end of the last Stern Steerer race, a twelve inch wide large expansion crack suddenly appeared behind the starting line reminding us of the power of Lake Winnebago's ice. A car happened to be parked exactly where the crack formed and the front tires took a dip. Luckily, skippers and spectators were able to push the car to safety. I was scoring the race from Chip Sawyer's car (Chip owns the A Stern Steerer-the Eclipse) and we were happy to get off the ice and into Schmitty's OOOOOar house.

Even though conditions looked dismal for Sunday, most competitors stayed for the banquet at Oscar's on Saturday night. Thanks to Dave and Jeff Lallier, Chip Sawyer, and all of the others who made this a very successful regatta.