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
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.
Aerial Photos: Jim Stevenson
Day one (Saturday, December 20) of the Grand Slam Open brought Renegades and DNs to Lake Kegonsa. The Nite fleet chose to race locally and when your home club has ice, that’s the right call. That’s how clubs survive and grow.
Ice was hard and bumpy. Everyone agreed with Daniel Hearn’s call of a 6 or 7.
Pat Heppert brought his C Skeeter and spent all of Friday working her around the lake. On Saturday he set the course and ran the races. Pat knew the wind would build. He set the Skeeter up for a 25 mph blow, figuring the day would end with a few extra laps just for him. Those of us still near the leeward mark were in awe when he came around. Fastest many of us have ever seen that boat go. He was clearly having fun.
We ran five races in each fleet.
Renegade highlights came early. Damien Luyet won his first race ever. The fleet opened with a missing man formation in honor of Tim McCormick. Fittingly, cousin Greg won that race. The Renegades mixed it up all day with tight racing. Runner to runner at the leeward mark more than once. You didn’t know who had it until the line. New member Matt Critchley jumped straight into racing. He started the day hanging back and watching. By the end, he was making moves. That’s how it’s supposed to work.
View through a bar window.
In the DN fleet, Chris Berger dominated. So much so that he finished a race early enough to grab the flags and hold the checkers as the rest of the DNs crossed the line while Pat went to move the weather mark. First time I’ve seen that.
There was drama at one DN finish when Frankie Hearn lost a runner just before the finish line. (Pro tip. Always check your bolts.) Frankie kept it together, finished the race, and pointed hard at his plank to get his dad’s attention.
The wind came up hard in the final DN race. The fleet handled it well, turning it into a lesson on managing big downwind pressure and avoiding spinouts. Best part for me was seeing new DN racers out there. With a small fleet, it’s the perfect place to learn. Congratulations to all of you.
As I write this Sunday morning, it’s 10°F. Windy says we may see 6 mph. Enough to move the boats? We’ll find out.
Thanks to everyone who came out. One of the best parts of the day was ending it at Springers, some arriving by iceboat, replaying the races and warming up with a hot meal and a beverage.
This is not Lake Kegonsa, but Matt Critchley’s Solstice yellow Renegade is making the rounds , photo used as a placeholder because it’s already doing the work on Facebook.
Day one of local racing and the Grand Slam Open on Lake Kegonsa is in the books.
Five races sailed across the DN and Renegade fleets. We’re spent.
Results are posted thanks to Toledo Ice Yacht Club tabulator Ann Foeller for keeping it all straight. Thanks to all sailors who joined us. We had a blast today.
Results link
Report in the morning.
Renegades first race is at 10 AM, Sunday, December 21.
Saturday and Sunday, December 20–21
Skipper’s Meeting on the course
Racing begins at 10 AM
Based on today’s ice scouting and a solid report from Lake Kegonsa, we feel confident enough to call the Grand Slam Open now rather than waiting until tomorrow. We invite ice yacht clubs and ice yacht racers to join us for some fun sailing.
According to the December 18 ice report from Daniel Hearn and Jeff Russell, the winds and Zamboni effect have moved through and the lake is setting up.
Ice in the middle is 7 to 8 inches. Very windy. Rated a 6 to 7.
Closer to shore near Springers, ice is around 12 inches, with a lot of refrozen rough ice.
No issues with ice thickness. Some water remains in spots, but with continued wind, expect the lake to lock up.
Race marks will be set on Friday for those who want to get an extra day of sailing in.
Amundson Landing
1928-2264 Quam Dr, Stoughton, WI 53589
Town of Pleasant Springs Boat Launch
2267 Williams Point Dr, Stoughton, WI 53589
DO NOT DRIVE ON THE LAKE!
Observe all posted parking rules.
Springers on Lake Kegonsa is offering an iceboaters special lunch, including hot soup.
Note that ice directly in front of Springers is rough.
Participation in the Grand Slam Open is open to DNs, Nites, Renegades, and Mini Skeeters. (The A Class Skeeters like a bit more ice.) To be included in the official scoring, sailors must be members of the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club.
Please consider joining the 4LIYC to support the club and iceboat racing in our area.
Join here: Membership link
Sit in the comfort of Springers on the Lake and enjoy your favorite beverage.
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.
