Chauncy Griggs 1936-2020

Chauncy Griggs, left talking with Dave Lallier at Burly & Donna Brellinthin’s cocktail party in Lake Geneva at the 2005 ISA. Photo: Jeff Smith

The ice sailing community extends condolences to friends and family of Minnesota ice sailor Chauncy Griggs who passed on January 7, 2021. Chauncy was an innovator well known for developing a wing-mast. He won a Challenge Pennant race in the 1990s on Lake Mendota with his sold wing mast. Those who were present still remember it as the fastest anyone had ever seen an iceboat move. His Class A Skeeter SHAZAM is pictured below.

Obituary

Griggs III, Chauncey Wright Age 84 of Mahtomedi died at home on January 7, 2021. He was recently preceded in death by his life-long love, soulmate, and wife of 59 years, Ethel W. Griggs. Chauncey is survived by his sons Chauncey (Eileen), and Bill (Heather), his grandchildren Lydia, Oliver, Liesel, Bennett, and Julia, sisters Ginny Magnuson, and Gian Hartner, and Ethel’s sisters Ariel Dickerman, Barbara (Mike) Bliss, Sally (Mark) Foster and Cynthia Mills (David). He leaves behind many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and dear friends. Chauncey graduated from Saint Paul Academy and the University of Minnesota in mechanical engineering. He owned and operated Griggs Contracting for over 40 years, but his life revolved around his hobbies. He loved to work in the garage customizing cars, boats, and airplanes. He was an early adopter of the fixed wing sails in ice boating and land-sailing, constructing his own boat and wings. Chauncey was also a private pilot (venturing into acrobatic flying in his 7o’s), catamaran racer, windsurfer, water skier, and inventor. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of Chauncey and Ethel’s favorite causes in his memory: Planned Parenthood, the Girl Scouts, or Habitat for Humanity. A virtual service will be held on January 23, 2021 at 11:00. For viewing information, visit unityunitarian.org
Published on January 10, 2021

Regatta Watch: 2021 Renegade Championship Called ON for Jan 15-17


Via International Renegade Ice Yacht Association Regatta Chairman Don Anderson:

The 2021 Renegade Championship has been tentatively called on for January 15-17, 2021. Primary site is Lake Mendota for this 3 day event. We are keeping an eye on the weather and will make final confirmation on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 by 1 PM CT.

Mendota Declared Safe for Canines by Area Coyote


An area coyote took advantage of Lake Mendota’s emptiness for a pleasant lake stroll on Saturday morning, January 9. He was last seen heading towards the Edgewater Hotel, presumably for breakfast. Tip of the Helmet: Jeff Russell

Land of the Polar Night

While we wait for ice, Norwegian ice sailors share videos and photos from Soløyvatnet Lake near Bodø, where the scenery is incredible. They appear to take advantage of every drop of daylight with a narrow window of opportunity to sail. The sun rises in Bodø at 10:30 AM and sets at 1:48 PM.

 

Regatta Watch: WSSA Postponed to Jan 23-24

Class C Stern Steerer: TWIN BEDS Peter McCormick   Photo: Gretchen Dorian

The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to January 23 and 24, 2021. The next update will be Sunday, January 17. Check back here at that time.

We still need more cold air, so get your friends to leave their freezer open, too.

Andy Gratton

WSSA Secretary/Treasurer

Ice Invaders

Big lake, big ice, big booming Skeeter hike on Lake Winnebago at the 2010 Northwest Regatta. Photo: Gretchen Dorian

Are you ready for some legendary arms-falling-off-from-pulling-sheet ice on big inland lakes? If we believe the weather forecasts this far out, ice sailing hotspots in Wisconsin like Menominee, Lakes Geneva, Winnebago, and Green should be coming online in the next two weeks. Fingers crossed.

Accuweather: Polar vortex set to unleash coldest air of season yet in US
By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Updated Jan. 9, 2021 3:11 AM CST

Accuweather January forecast for Madison, WI as of January 9, 2021.