MICHIGANDER, a Class A Stern-Steerer. Photo: Gretchen Dorian
The NIYA Race Committee has called on the 2023 Regatta for Friday March 10th-12th at Lake Kegonsa, Madison, WI. There were racing conditions there this afternoon. The final call will be made Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at noon CT after a morning examination of the ice and launch ramp.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
NIYA
Launch at Amundson. DO NOT DRIVE ON THE ICE. Trailers can be pushed on. Please be courteous and drop your trailer and move your vehicle so that others can use the ramp. First race at 10 AM.
Four Lakes Club sailing is on for this weekend for Lake Kegonsa. Ice checkers inspected Monona, Mendota and Kegonsa. Kegonsa had the fewest patches of shallow, slushy snow, particularly toward the north side of the lake. Plenty of thickness. Surface rated a “6.” Spotty ruts left from refrozen ice fishermen tracks. Little fishing activity of the lake Friday. Amundsen launch currently fairly solid. Some water collecting at the front and left side. Best launch spot on the left side (west) of ramp. Aluminum ramps will be set up to preserve the launch for the possibility of the Northwest Regatta next Fri. – Sat.
Wind forecast light until around noon. May be perfect opportunity to set up in the morning and enjoy a pre-racing lunch at Springers. Good breeze on Sunday.
The fat lady may be warming up her vocal chords, so don’t miss it this weekend!
Lake Kegonsa, March 3, 2023.
Even as we wait to get back on the lake, ice sailing shops have been keeping busy. The DN Western Region ATV gets a complete make over thanks to 4LIYC Skeeter sailor, Ken Whitehorse.
Via 4LIYC Commodore Daniel Hearn:
Not sure what it is about ice sailing that attracts people with little use for idle time and a penchant for ingenuity, but the sport is flush with such individuals. In Madison, Ken Whitehorse matches the profile perfectly. I always call him Kenny. Probably because it feels to me more fitting for his youthful spirit. He’s one of those guys who is older than he looks, with the same mischievous sparkle in his eyes that I see in my grandson. And a head of hair worthy of a rock star. Honestly, I don’t know Kenny well, but I know he’s got a huge heart. If it were not for Kenny, we wouldn’t get to see PK (Paul Krueger) on the ice ripping it up anytime 4LIYC is in action.
If you’ve ever been to Kenny’s shop, you’ll learn instantly that he is also Madison’s MacGyver. The “Past Champions Iceboat Shop” is housed in a building that used to be a Whitehorse Body Shop. Back in the day, I’m told it was stuffed with race cars, when the bill-paying cars were pushed out of the way. Now it’s stuffed with decades of ice sailing gear, each with a unique story Kenny would be happy to tell. And various motorized vehicles seemingly close to successful ignition, but just not quite there yet. Kenny has a very impressive “To Do” List.
I am certain his personal list would be shorter, if he weren’t doing stuff for others all the time. Over the last couple weeks he’s created the DN Western Region ATV Version 2.0. Thanks to Kenny, this machine will now be the envy of the ice sailing world. V2.0 is sporting a shiny new muffler, even though a local dealer told us it couldn’t be replaced. And that 4WD that wasn’t working? A new switch assembly made the orange 4WD indicator light shine like a Christmas tree. With the remaining maintenance items addressed, it was now time to macgyver. First up was the hitch. It’s always been kinda janky, so Kenny welded up a heavy duty reinforcement bracket. Even for “that-hurts-my-back” tongue weight, the hitch is now good-to-go. And for the “don’t-kid-yourself” tongue weight trailers, the Kenny Tongue Jack Sled, which he created last season, now has a rock-solid place for attachment.
Not satisfied with just rear-end upgrades, Kenny MacGyver decided V2.0 needed a combination boat pusher and fold up scoring table on the front end. This machine is now MONEY! If you’re a DNr, buy Kenny a PBR the next time you see him. If you’re not a DNr, buy him a PBR anyway. You’ll be particularly grateful when V2.0 shows up to push you back to the pits when the wind dies.
Thanks, Kenny!
Visit The Sailing Museum on Friday, March 10th between 1-4 PM and hear about the thrills of hardwater sailing from avid iceboater and local legend, Don Sanford!
National Sailing Hall of Fame: Expert in the Museum Series
Date: Friday, March 10, 2023
Time: 1 – 4 PM
Location: National Sailing Hall of Fame
365 Thames Street
Newport, RI 02840
Link to Event Webpage
If you happen to be in Newport on March 10, this will be fun. I’ll bring along a copy of our film, Mary B: Madison’s Legendary Iceboat, some other short videos and a few show and tell items about iceboats and iceboaters. The museum has in its collection a beautiful (and fast) DN donated by my friend, Madison iceboater Doug Kolner. I’ll talk about that too.
Don Sanford
Stern Steerers at the 2013 Northwest on Green Lake. Photo: Gretchen Dorian
Via WSSA Secretary Andy Gratton
The 2023 Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association Regatta has been postponed until March 10 – 11. Next update is on Sunday, March 5, 2023.
National Iceboat Authority Web Page
Location: In person at the Elks Lodge 711 Jenifer St, Madison, WI 53703
Time: 6:30 PM
YOU ARE SKIPPER NUMBER
TO ROUND THE MARK SINCE NOVEMBER 1999.
