420 and a Banquet Reminder

by | Apr 20, 2026 | 2025-2026, Home Page


Since it’s 4/20, (for those who celebrate), it seemed like a good day to bring back Donny Anderson’s EASY RIDER Renegade 420.

While that one may be parked for the season, we’re getting close to our 4LIYC Spring Gathering this Saturday night, April 25, at Breakwater in Monona.

If you’re planning to join us, now’s a good time to grab your spot: LINK

Andy Gratton on Iceboating: Free Webinar April 16

by | Apr 4, 2026 | 2025-2026, Home Page, WSSA


All-around ice sailor Andy Gratton will be giving a Zoom presentation about our sport.

He’s part of a free webinar series hosted by The American Schooner Association and The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race on Thursday, April 16 at 6 PM CT / 7 PM ET

Andy has sailed just about everything and owns nearly every class of iceboat known. If you’ve spent any time around iceboating, you’ve likely seen him giving rides in his vintage WISCONSIN stern steerer.

This is a good introduction to the sport for sailors who’ve never stepped on the ice, and a reminder of why we keep coming back.

Register here: LINK

Andy Gratton and WISCONSIN Photo: Gretchen Dorian

 

Between Ice and Water

by | Mar 28, 2026 | 2025-2026, Home Page

Scenes from Ivanpah.

A 4LIYC contingent are in the desert at Ivanpah, the cathedral of landsailing, where California meets Nevada. For those of us from the Midwest or anywhere with trees, this place never feels ordinary. It feels closer to the surface of Mars than anything we know. And this year it has been hot, hotter than anyone here can remember.

The North American Landsailing Championships wrapped up yesterday. Landsailing sits in that shoulder season between ice and soft water. Your mileage may vary, but for many of us it bridges the gap.

There was a strong crossover from the ice sailing world. Daniel Hearn placed second in a large Mini Skeeter fleet. The top of that fleet was stacked with ice sailing experience. Dave Gluek and John Eisenlohr, the Mini Skeeter designer, tied for first. DN sailors Bob Cave, Pete Johns, and Ken Smith were also in the mix, sailing Mini Skeeters.

More familiar names were here as well. Lars Barber and Brad Wagner are sailing their blokarts, along with Wayne Schmeidlin and family. His grandson Alex won the blokart fleet. Pat Heppert finished fourth overall in the big boats with his blue C Skeeter and placed fifth in the Mini Skeeter class. From the UK, DN sailor Gareth Rowland made the trip and took second in the Mini 5.6 class. Renegader Doug Kolner is here kicking the tires as well.

Now the focus shifts. The blokart regatta starts this week and competitors are arriving. Geoff Sobering and Jim Nordhaus will be here to compete in the Blokart North American Championship.

Nina Fleming and I have traded in our parkas, gloves, and ice cleats for sandals and sun protection as we take up our roles on the line, flag, horn, timing, and scoring.

Stay tuned.
NALSA Results
Coming Soon: blokart Results