by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 3, 2026 | 2025-2026, Home Page
January 2, 2026 view from space.
This Sentinel satellite image tells the story pretty well.
Lakes Mendota and Monona are currently Swiss cheese after a strange, uneven freeze. However, Lake Kegonsa is locked and covered, consistent and predictable by comparison. Lake Winnebago looks solid from space and remains our most reliable big-lake option right now.
Next week’s forecast shows daytime highs in the upper 30s to low 40s, with a few wet systems mixed in. If that holds, we’re hoping the snow cover on Lake Kegonsa melts down, which would improve surface conditions significantly. That kind of weather is the right direction.
Worth noting: Sentinel satellite imagery is now available through the Copernicus browser, which makes checking current ice conditions faster and easier than before. It’s another useful tool to keep in the kit, but still no substitute for cleats on the ice.
More updates as conditions evolve.
Links:
https://browser.dataspace.copernicus.eu
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by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 2, 2026 | Home Page
Racing postponed. Couch committee is in session.
No 4LIYC racing this weekend, January 3–4, on Lake Kegonsa.
There’s just a bit too much snow at the moment, not nearly as bad as this photo, but enough to keep things marginal coupled with the wind forecast.
We’re optimistic that next week’s warmer temperatures will help improve conditions.
Lake Mendota went over on December 31, so we still have Monona and Mendota in the bank. We’ll continue to keep an eye on all options.
Next 4LIYC racing update: Friday, January 9.
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by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 31, 2025 | 2025-2026, Home Page
There will be no club racing on New Year’s Day. (Jan 1, 2026)
Lake Kegonsa ice conditions are currently too marginal, and the light wind forecast doesn’t improve the risk–reward equation.
We’ll check ice conditions again on Friday January 2, with the hope of calling club racing for Saturday and Sunday if things line up.
Updates will be posted once we’ve taken another look.
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by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 29, 2025 | Home Page, Regattas, WSSA
Photo: Rob Resnick Revelations of Design
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to January 10 and 11, 2026. The next update will be Sunday, January 4. Check back here at that time. Happy New Year.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
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by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 26, 2025 | 2025-2026, Home Page
There will be no 4LIYC racing this weekend, December 27 and 28.
With rain in the forecast and recent warm temperatures, we’re taking a break to protect the Kegonsa landing and the racing track. That gives us more racing later. To be clear: Lake Monona looks good but has many holes. We still have Lake Mendota is still in the bank as well.
It’s also a good weekend to slow down and watch Wizard of Zenda, the Buddy Melges documentary. The full film is now on YouTube.
The screenshot here shows Buddy with 4LIYC’s Bill Mattison at an ISA regatta in Lake Geneva, around 1999 with other familiar faces in the background.
As Buddy would say, keep your runners sharp.
Winter looks ready to return Sunday night. We still have a big season ahead. If things line up, we may even be able to race the historic Bloody Mary Eye Opener on January 1, a long-time 4LIYC favorite. Stay tuned.
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