2024 Northwest Ice Yacht Racing Association Information
February 2 – 4, 2024
Lake Waconia, Waconia, MN
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.
“Goodness Prevails” – A Message from M197
GOODNESS PREVAILS.
Dear Northwestern Ice Yachting Association Member Clubs,
I started racing skeeters in 1970. In 1977 at the age of 26, I was very fortunate to win the Northwest Championship. In 2024 I again was fortunate to win the Northwest championship. Well..that’s almost back to back victories! If you factor out 47 years! TODAY as in the past the Northwest Regatta has the world’s best Regatta Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, Steve Schalk. We have the world’s best race committee. We have the world’s best volunteer support group. Additionally we have the world’s best boat builders and sail makers. Finally, and of least importance, as in the past, the Northwest has the world’s best ice boat sailors. We all are truly blessed to participate in iceboat racing! Goodness withstands the test of time.
Ken WhiteHorse M197
The Neighborhood Just Got Better
PREVIOUS: There Goes the Neighborhood
The next door neighbor of iceboat.org made some improvements on their building on the Monday after the Northwest regatta.. Greg Whitehorse was there to help and document the change.
It was a busy day at the Past Champions Iceboat Shop in Monona, Wisconsin. Ken WhiteHorse captured the Northwestern Class A Skeeter Championship last weekend on Minnesota’s Lake Waconia, 47 years after capturing that same title in 1977(!!!). You do,after all, have to keep things “Current”.
2024 Northwest Regatta – A Note of Thanks
Photo: Shane Lewis – Silverfoxviz
See all of Shane Lewis – Silverfoxviz photos here.
The Northwestern Ice Yachting Association Championship Regatta came to a successful conclusion on Sunday February 25th 2024.
As Regatta Chairman and Secretary/Treasurer and competitor, I have many people to thank and acknowledge for the success of the event.
My number one support was Pat Heppert who drove all over Minnesota sailing potential ice sheets, and then set marks at the crack of dawn every day and moved them throughout the event as the wind moved around. He started most races and called numbers as well.
Thanks to the DN Western Region who let us use their ATV and trailer for the whole event.
Thanks to everyone who helped set, pick, move and reset the starting blocks and safety zone markers. Colton Hibbard got to learn the trade at his very first regatta.
Thanks to Deb Whitehorse for her usual efficiency in getting the data down right through all the weather changes and course moves, also instantly posting notices of all changes we made. Thanks to Ann Foeller for setting up the tabulating file and Mary Jane for completing that file and tabulating Saturday. Thanks to Julie Jankowski for monitoring the windward mark throughout. Thanks to the rest of the race committee for splitting the workload and making timely decisions.
I want to especially acknowledge the participation of Paul Kreuger and John Davis, who are still racing hard in all conditions at the ages of 84 and 80 respectively. They are perfect examples of the competitors who built and maintained this sport that we all love.Steve Schalk
NIYA Secretary/Treasurer
Northwest – Across the Ice
Across the Ice | Minnesota 4K from ImageStream Press on Vimeo.
Winter may be coming to an end, but not yet for the 2024 Northwest Regatta on Lake Waconia in Minnesota. Some rough ice for iceboating but good winds and weather. The Northwest is the oldest ice sailing regatta in North America dating back to 1913. The DN Class North American Championship begins on Monday, 2/25/24. Great to have this event in Waconia, Minnesota.
Aerial segments filmed with a Mavic 3, edited and color graded with Vegas. Portions of the film have been sped up to compress the time over the vast distances with adjustments to lighting for effect. Flown within visual flight ranges, max altitude 400ft AGL across Minnesota. Music by Christopher Dennis Coleman “Vesper”, CHPTRS “Last Chance, “You Will Find Me” courtesy of the Musicbed.
2024 Northwest Prize Giving
RESULTS
Congratulations to all participants of the Northwestern Yachting Association Regatta! Thank you for your dedication and passion for the sport as you competed in North America’s oldest ice sailing regatta, a tradition that began in 1913.
The wind never fully cooperated Sunday morning, leading to a challenging waiting game. The regatta was called complete Sunday at 11 AM by NIYA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who contributed to the regatta’s success, from those who scouted for ice, set courses and starting blocks to those who assisted with off-site tabulating, including Ann Foeller and Mary Jane Schalk.
Northwest DN champion Robin Lagraviere, alongside his fellow Canadians Nicholas Mabboux and Jacek Marzenski, were notably absent as they were out on the course training for the upcoming DN North American Championship, set to begin on Lake Waconia today, Monday February 26.
Follow the action here.
Northwest Regatta – Day 3 – AM Update
C Stern Steerer ACE OF SPADES – Photo: Kevin Barta
PROVISIONAL RESULTS
EVENT PAGE
Day two of the 2024 Northwest Regatta brought clear, sunny skies, ideal conditions for a day filled with races and camaraderie on Lake Waconia in Minnesota. As the day progressed, the race committee concluded the day’s activities earlier than planned in light of the building winds.
Mike Peters and ACE OF SPADES
Ken Whitehorse tells the story of the when Buddy pulled out a bottle of Cutty Sark out of his jacket at Northwest. John Davis is on the plank. John has been attending the Northwest since 1954.
A highlight of the day was the presentation of the esteemed Bottle Trophy to the deserving crew of the C Stern Steerer ACE OF SPADES, helmed by Mike Peters and Terry Reynolds. In his eloquent speech, Ken Whitehorse shared the rich history of the trophy, first sponsored by the legendary Buddy Melges. Mike Peters and ACE OF SPADES with crew Terry Reynolds carry on the bottle trophy legacy this year.
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.
2024 Northwest Update: Stern Steerers Race at 9AM on Saturday 2-24
Photo: Jacek Marzenski
A long day on the ice. I’ll have more early tomorrow morning. A message tonight from NIYA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk:
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
Day 1:2023 Northwest Starting Positions
Good Morning from Waconia, MN, site of the 2024 Northwestern Ice Yachting Association Regatta. Starting positions will also be posted on the RC trailer on the ice.
Skipper’s meeting at the launch at 9 AM. See you on the ice!
The last time the NIYA was held was in 2019 on Lake Pepin in MN. The Northwest is the oldest ice sailing regatta in North America and was first sailed in Menominee, Michigan in 1913. It survived two World Wars, a pandemic and it’s great to be back. We are pleased to see such a large DN fleet this year with the DN North Americans having been called on for Waconia as well. The DN North American Championship begins on Monday.
Friday, February 23, 2024 Schedule
Skipper’s Meeting at 9 AM at the launch
First start 10 AM
Rotation
DN
Renegade
E Skeeter
A,B,C,D Stern Steerer
ISA B & C Skeeter
NIYA Annual Meeting at 6 PM at the Holiday Inn, Chanhassen, MN
2024 Northwest Regatta Information
The 2024 Northwestern Ice Yachting Association regatta is called on for Waconia Lake in Waconia, Minnesota.
REGISTER FOR THE NIYA
EVENT PAGE
WHAT TO KNOW
Northwestern Ice Yachting Association Regatta
EVENT PAGE
Dates: February 23 – 25, 2024
Location: Lake Waconia, Waconia MN
Launch: Lake Waconia Regional Park
8170 Paradise Ln, Waconia, MN 55387
ATTENTION: DO NOT DRIVE ON THE ICE. THERE WILL BE AN ATV TO TAKE YOUR TRAILER ON THE ICE.
Lodging:
Regatta Headquarters: Holiday Inn Express Chanhassen, MN
952-401-8850
$109 per night King
$119 per night 2 Queens
Online Booking Link
If you are booking online, please make sure to put in the correct dates otherwise it will say there isn’t an existing block.
Tell them you are with the Northwest Regatta to get the discount.
AmericInn by Wyndham Chanhassen, MN
612-293-6930
Country Inn & Suites Chanhassen, MN
952-937-2424
Super 8 by Wyndham Chaska, MN
1-952-448-7030
Register: Click here to register online.
Schedule of Events:
Friday, February 23
Registration closes at 7AM
Starting positions for the first race in each class will be posted on a Competitor list by 9:30 am at https://www.iceboat.org/regattas/niya/
First start 10 AM
Rotation
DN
Renegade
E Skeeter
A,B,C,D Stern Steerer
ISA B & C Skeeter
NIYA Annual Meeting at 6 PM at the Holiday Inn, Chanhassen, MN
Saturday, February 24
First start at 9:30 AM
Sunday, February 25
First start at 9:30 AM
Race Documents
Notice of Race
Sailing Instructions