NIYA
THE HISTORY
Dateline
January 13, 1913.
Wisconsin State Journal.
"Representatives of Oshkosh, Madison, Menominee, and Marinette met at the Hotel Menominee this morning and discussed future of the new NIYA, Emil Fauerbach of Madison commended the Mendota Ice Yacht Club highly in their action in establishing a renewal of the sport and declared that he would do everything in his power to aid the new organization in every manner possible. LF Porter, of Madison, a man who has been connected with several water and ice craft organizations, gave some timely and instructive suggestions in regard to the proper manner of conducting the association. He proposed having two delegates from each club present at a future gathering and from a constitution and by laws at that time."

Welcome to the Home Page of the 2007 Northwest Ice Yacht Association Regatta. This historic regatta was first sailed in 1913 in Menominee, Michigan. Skeeters, DNs, and Renegades weren't even invented back then when the big stern steerers ruled the ice. In 1913, Menominee skipper E. Peterson won the first Class A championship in "Square People". Madison, Wisconsin's own Emil Fauerbach won the 1914 championship in the famed Princess II, a boat that went on the win the Hearst International Trophy. Other notable Class A winners throughout the year include John Buckstaff of Oshkosh, Fritz Jungbluth and Carl Bernard of Madison in the Fritz (still being sailed today by Fred Stritt), Harry Melges of Lake Geneva (Buddy's father), Carl Bernard again in the Mary B (currently owned by the Haines family), the Debutante currently owned by Mike Derusha, and Buddy Melges in his Ferdinand the Bull.

The DNs were first recognized as a separate class in 1954 when Skip Boston won the inaugural NIYA DN championship. Other notable DN champions include William Sarns in 1956, Jane Pegel who first won in 1960 and went on to capture another nine championships.

Class E Skeeters first raced the NIYA in 1936 when Lake Geneva sailor Harry Melges won in Mickey Finn. Elmer Millenbach took the 1949 trophy sailing his Renegade II back when the Renegades and Skeeters sailed together. Other famous ice boating names who've won the NIYA Class E championship include Bill Perrigo, Howard Bosten, Frank Trost, Jack Ripp, Dave Rosten, Bill Mattison, Lou Loenneke, Buddy Melges, Bob Pegel, and Paul Krueger.

The Renegades first raced in the NIYA as a recognized class in 1958 and of course, Mr. Ice Boat, Elmer Millenbach won his first of many NIYA Renegade Championships in Renegade III. Elmer won every regatta until 1984 when the 4LIYC Jerry Simon took the championship. Other winners include Arlyn Lafortune, Loren Sherry, Jack Ripp, Tim McCormick, Roger Derusha, Don Anderson, and Mike Derusha.