Photo: Rob Resnick
The NIYA is postponed one week to February 13 – 15. This upcoming weekend’s weather looks like a 1-1/2 day regatta at best or 1 day that may or may not have some am freezing rain. Next update is Sunday, February 8.
Steve Schalk
NIYA Secretary/Treasurer
2026 Renegade Championship Regatta winner, Mike Derusha, on Green Lake in WI. Photo: Will Johnston
We have gotten another great ISA Championship Regatta in the books, with racing in winds all across the range and temperatures from damn cold to pretty normal. We raced right up to the time limit, starting the last Nite race at 12:58 pm. This is only the third time since the expanded race schedule was voted in that we exceeded 6 races in the regatta, with the Nites and Renegades finishing 7 each.
I would like to thank all of the race committee who traded off jobs and made it possible for each other to race their boats, and keep everything moving at normal pace.
I also need to thank the Four Lakes Ice Yacht club for the use of their machine and trailer. It would not have worked without that help. Pat Heppert as well, who did a crack of dawn set up of our marks on Friday and Saturday for us. And Dave Navin who set the Sunday long course. Thanks to Deb and Nina for the Sunday scoring, and help picking up the marks at the end of the day.
Behind the on the ice scenes, Mary Jane was on the PC crunching the numbers and posting it on line in real time. (as long as we sent pictures of the score sheets.)
A final big thank you to the Green Lake Ice Yacht Club, Julie Jankowski and Deb Bierman for the Friday night hospitality event at the Heidel House, Maureen Bohleber for her assistance starting races and providing our emergency medical support, and Todd Morgan for ice checking and all manner of assistance.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
Class A Skeeters Jay Yaeso and John Dennis. Photo: Will Johnston
RESULTS
ISA Regatta — Final Day Report
Green Lake, Wisconsin
The last day of the 2026 International Skeeter Association regatta delivered what everyone hopes for, steady wind and a big course on Green Lake measured at 1.7 miles.
Racing ran smoothly right up to the wire. The final Nite race was started just minutes before the 1:00 pm cutoff.
This regatta also marked a milestone worth pausing for. ISA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk secured his 14th ISA regatta title. If it isn’t a record, it’s close enough that someone else will need a long career and a lot of good ice to catch it. Also interesting to note that Mike Derusha has nine Renegade World Championship first-place finishes. (Elmer Millenbach won the Renegade Championship 17 times.)
Congratulations to all who raced, traveled, helped, and made Green Lake feel like the center of the iceboating world for a few days.
Now the focus shifts. Eyes on a possible Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta, while the Nites turn their attention to the upcoming Nite Nationals, both slated for Green Lake, WI. Winter isn’t done yet.
Thank you Julie Jankowski for the awards photos.
Nick Vandervelde 564 and John Weiss 552 on Green Lake at the 2026 ISA. Photo: Will Johnston
RESULTS
Will Johnston is one of those photographers who always makes an effort to find us. He was out on Saturday during the light-air day and came away with some fine images. Sailors study these photos closely, how the boats sit, and what the rigs are doing. There’s real data in them. I’m sharing one here and linking to Will’s full gallery. (Please credit Will if you use any of his photos.) Thanks, Will. LINK TO WILL JOHNSTON GALLERY
RESULTS
One of the pleasures of sailing in Wisconsin is our friends in the air. Aviators who track us down, land nearby, talk boats with fellow aviator and 4LIYC Jeff Russell, then head back up with cameras. Saturday delivered beautiful light conditions (and light-air) at the ISA and DN US Nationals regattas. Thanks to Jim Stevenson for taking these photos and sharing them.
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta for 2026 has been tentatively called on for February 7 and 8. The site selected is Green Lake. Final confirmation will be made by 1 PM Thursday, February 5. Check back here after that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association has scheduled their regatta for the same weekend and place, that regatta takes precedence.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
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.
