by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 25, 2025 | 2024-2025, 2025 Northwest, DN, Home Page, NIYA, Regattas, Renegade, WSSA
RESULTS
Lake Winnebago, Fond du Lac
What an incredible start to the regatta. The fishing clubs on Lake Winnebago deserve a huge shoutout for their efforts. The Friendship Fishing Club installed a metal bridge over a heave near the shore, making it possible for us to reach the good ice. Their updates on Facebook keep everyone informed, and their commitment creates a sense of community for all who enjoy the lake.
The ice was rock-hard and exceptionally slick—so much so that even driving was challenging. Cars spun out quickly if you went too fast, but having the ability to score the regatta from a car was an extravagance I’ve missed. Lakes like Winnebago, Geneva, and Lake Michigan out of Menominee are a few where that’s possible.
Before racing began, Northwest Race Committee member Andy Gratton joked with me about the traditional Northwest course length. It’s meant to be 8 miles, and he pondered setting a single lap course with marks 4 miles apart, a nod to the stern steerer days. Sure would make scoring easier!
The day was cold but sunny, with steady winds that allowed us to complete a five-race rotation in just two hours. We completed two full rotations for all fleets by pushing hard and keeping things efficient. Watching the clock carefully, we squeezed in a third rotation for the DNs and Renegades, ensuring no starts happened within 45 minutes of sundown. Everyone was ready at the line, racing efficiently in the conditions we dream abou. Photographers were out all day capturing the action, and we’re looking forward to seeing their work..
This weekend promises to get even bigger, as the Nite fleet is also holding their regatta here. The social aspect of the Northwest is always a highlight—last night, many gathered at the Fond du Lac Yacht Club for the annual meeting, and others made the pilgrimage to the iconic South Side Ice Yacht Club. The camaraderie for this sport make events like this so special.
Preparing for the skipper’s meeting. Apologies for the lack of photos—car windows aren’t the best lens!
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by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 23, 2025 | 2024-2025, 2025 Northwest, DN, Home Page, NIYA, Regattas, Renegade
DN Class
RESULTS
The 2025 Northwestern Ice Yachting Regatta is on for Lake Winnebago northwest of Fond Du Lac. Dates are January 24th, 25th, and 26th.
The launch site is drive on the ice at the foot of Cemetery Road off of Highway 45. Cemetery Road is 1.4 miles north of the Wayside launch on the west shore of the lake. It is 5.8 miles from the center of downtown Fond Du Lac. Racing will start with DNs at 11 AM sharp on Friday January 24th. The skipper’s meeting for all classes will be held at 10:30 AM near the starting line. The annual meeting will be held at 6 PM Friday evening at the Fond Du Lac Yacht Club. A dinner is scheduled for 7 PM at TJ’s Harbor Restaurant, located 2 miles north of the launch at Cemetery Road where County Z crosses Hwy 45.
Online registration is mandatory. Please register here: https://www.iceboat.org/regattas/niya/
WHAT TO KNOW:
Date: January 24 – 26, 2025
Location: Lake Winnebago, Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin
Launch: Foot of Cemetery Road off of Highway 45. Cemetery Road is 1.4 miles north of the Wayside launch on the west shore of the lake. It is 5.8 miles from the center of downtown Fond Du Lac.
Lodging:
Comfort Inn, 77 Holiday Lane Fond du Lac WI Ice Boaters Special 82.00 night See Michelle 30+ rooms 920-933-1159
Holiday Inn Express, 55 Holiday Lane Fond du Lac WI 30+ rooms 129.00-155.00 920-322-0460
Hotel Retlaw, 1 North Main St Fond du Lac WI 920 204 0400 129.00 and up
Online registration is mandatory. Please register here: https://www.iceboat.org/regattas/niya/
Eligibility Requirements for the Northwest Ice Yacht Association Regatta
To participate in the Northwest Ice Yacht Association (NIYA) regatta, all competitors must be members of a club that belongs to the NIYA. Below is a list of current member clubs. Please ensure you are a member of one of these clubs before registering:
- Boecraft Association
- Fond du Lac Ice Yacht Club
- Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club
- Green Lake Ice Yacht Club
- Hudson River Ice Yacht Club
- Lake Springfield Ice Boat Club
- Menekaunee Ice Yacht Club
- Minnesota Iceboaters
- Neenah Ice Yacht Club
- Oshkosh Ice Yacht Club
- Pewaukee Ice Yacht Club
- SIBC
- South Side Ice Yacht Club
- Toledo Ice Yacht Club
- West Michigan Ice Yacht Club
- Windjammers/United Skeeter Association
- WSSA
During registration, please indicate your club affiliation in the appropriate field on the form. If you are not a member of one of these clubs, you will not be eligible to compete.
Schedule of Events
Friday, January 24
- 7 AM: Online registration closes
- 11 AM: First Race – Race start has been postponed to 11AM to allow for warmer temperatures.
- Rotation*
- DN
- Renegade
- E Skeeters
- A, B, C, D Stern Steerers
- ISA B & C Skeeters
- 6 PM Northwest Annual Meeting at the Fond Du Lac Yacht Club 705 Mohawk Ave, Fond du Lac, WI 54935
Saturday, January 25
- 9:30 AM: First Race
- Banquet
TJ’s Harbor 7098 S US Hwy 45
Oshkosh, WI 54902
Social Hour: 5 PM
Dinner 7 PM
Sunday, January 26
*2nd and 3rd round of races Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will start at a time announced by the Race Committee.
**If all classes have at least 3 races complete at the end of the day Saturday, Stern Steerers (A, B, C, D) will start first on Sunday.
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by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 20, 2025 | DN, Home Page, NIYA, Regattas, Renegade, WSSA
Renegade: Mike Derusha
Northwest Home Page
UPDATE: Launch information has been updated
Via Northwest Ice Yachting Association Regatta Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk:
The 2025 NIYA Regatta is called on for Fond Du Lac, January 24th, 25th and 26th, with the final call at noon Wednesday January 22nd. Launch ramp will be finalized prior to Wednesday noon. It will be in the southeast corner of the lake somewhere between the Fond Du Lac Yacht Club and the Sunset Bar. Stay tuned for launch site updates on Wednesday, January 22.
The ice condition is excellent and the wind and temperature appear to be cooperating – pretty much optimal in all respects for an epic Northwest Championship.
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by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 12, 2025 | DN, DN Senior Shuffle, Home Page
Senior Shuffle Home Page
Via 4LIYC Commodore Daniel Hearn
With temperatures forecasted not to exceed 10 degrees Monday and Tuesday, we’ve concluded that Shuffling wouldn’t be much fun. Since FUN is the whole point, we are postponed again, awaiting another opportunity this winter. Keep those joins shuffling…you want to be in peak shuffling shape when Mother Nature smiles upon our high mileage racing kits!
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by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 9, 2025 | DN, DN Senior Shuffle, Home Page
SENIOR SHUFFLE HOME PAGE
We’ve got a beautiful sheet of ice on Lake Monona in Madison, but it’s not quite thick enough for this weekend. So, we’ll be 76 minutes north of Madison in Fond du Lac for the 2025 Western Regional.
When things wrap up on Sunday, we’ll head to Madison for the kick off of the first annual Senior Shuffle. We’ve got a great rate lined up at our oft used HQ hotel, The Clarion. Just $79/night and less than a mile from the Olin Park Launch.
We will have group social functions on both Monday and Tuesday nights. Standby for details. Prize giving on the ice Wednesday to wrap things up. All fun…no running…all are welcome, whether you are a “Senior” or not. All will race under the special senior rules. See you there!
SENIOR SHUFFLE
DATES: January 13 – 15, 2025
LOCATION: Lake Monona, Madison, WI
LAUNCH SITE:
Olin Park Launch
LODGING
Clarion Suites
2110 Rimrock Rd, Madison, WI 53713
+16083501766
Lake Monona, Thursday, January 9, 2025
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by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 6, 2025 | 2024-2025, DN, Home Page
Video Link
Iceboaters have long imagined the possibility of clearing snow from frozen lakes to create ideal sailing conditions. The challenge lies in needing thick, solid ice to support vehicles capable of clearing the snow—an effort that often seems insurmountable.
Years ago, the late DN sailor Mark Keifer of Minnesota pioneered snow removal efforts for the Ice Racing Circuit at the St. Paul Winter Carnival. On a snow-covered lake in Tianchi, near Urumqi in western China, crews are clearing the ice for the first Tianshan Tianchi International Ice Yacht Open in conjunction with their winter festival. This historic event will feature DN sailors from Germany, Sweden, and China, competing against the backdrop of the snow-covered Tianshan Mountains.
This event demonstrates that removing snow for ice sailing can be done with enough will and equipment (and likely an unlimited budget.)
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