by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 14, 2026 | Home Page, Regattas
Nite sailors Mark Prange 550 and Tom Sweitzer 272 round the leeward mark.
The last regatta domino piece fell today: the Nite Nationals have been postponed. That means the Nites, ISA, and NIYA are now all pushed to the same weekend of January 23-25, so another version of regatta logic will be back in play again next week. (Then let’s add in the DN North American Championship with the first day of racing scheduled for January 25!)
But wait—there’s more. The DN Western Region Championship is tentatively called on for this weekend of January 17-18. More on that soon or watch the DN North America website.
Nite Nationals has been postponed.
Unfortunately due to low quality ice and cold weather we have postponed the 2026 Nite Nationals until January 23-25, 2026.
Lake Kegonsa and Lake Winnebago in the FDL area, both deteriorated with this recent warm weather and with the combination of the high winds and cold weather it became un-sailable for a regatta.
Our next update will be Sunday night January 17 after 8 pm.
Continue to monitor Facebook Group, the Nite Website, and your email for further communication.
We are always open to you sharing the conditions of your local lake or of a lake you have pertinent info on.
Keep your runners sharp and your boats tuned. The ride of your life awaits.
Sail Safe, Sail Fast,
Commodore Maureen Bohleber #497
Vice Commodore David Navin #549
Treasurer Chris Wiberg #434
Tech Mike Peters #544
Secretary John Heigis #160
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by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 14, 2026 | Home Page, ISA, Regattas, Renegade
Photo: Will Johnston
…and the second domino falls.
The ISA race committee after reviewing the morning ice check and the upcoming weather forecasts has decided to postpone the 2026 ISA one week to January 23-25. The surface of Lake Kegonsa roughened up in the flash freeze last night after the very warm temperatures. The NOAA forecast has visibility-blocking snow showers on both Friday and Saturday, and all forecasts rule out Sunday as never getting to minimum temperatures. The Committee believes there is time to wait for better conditions. The next update will be Sunday evening, January 18 following the 7 pm conference call.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
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by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 14, 2026 | Home Page, NIYA, Regattas, WSSA
ACE OF SPADES Photo Kevin Chapman
The first domino falls….
Ice checks on Lake Winnebago revealed thickness levels of anywhere from 7 to 10 inches of ice, with some reports of much less in spots. The top 5 inches of the ice are soft snow ice and are not load bearing. We will need more hard ice build-up to be safe for the big boats. Cold temperatures will result in more thickness with more time. the Northwest is postponed for a week to January 23rd, 24th and 25th 2026.Next update is January 18.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
Northwestern Ice Yachting Association
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by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 14, 2026 | 2025-2026, Home Page
Tim and Peter McCormick on Lake Kegonsa. Photo: Ethan Brodsky
It’s been a while since we’ve had a meeting. We missed the last one because it fell on New Year’s Eve, so tonight gets us back on our regular every-other-Wednesday schedule.
We’ll meet tonight at 6:30 PM at the Breakwater. There’s a lot to catch up on, recent activity on Kegonsa, regattas being called on, and what the next stretch of the season may look like.
Breakwater is generously letting us use their room. Please consider coming early, grabbing dinner, and supporting them.
What to Know:
4LIYC Meeting
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
6:30 PM
Breakwater Restaurant & Bar
6308 Inland Way, Monona, WI
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by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 14, 2026 | 2025-2026, Home Page, WSSA
Link to video
As decisions are made today on whether the NIYA, ISA, the Nite Nationals (and now the DN Western Region Championship) are called on or postponed, here’s a short clip from Tuesday afternoon on Lake Winnebago, with the stern steerer WISCONSIN stretching her legs in strong wind.
Andy Gratton, who shared the video, put it best:
The video doesn’t do justice to how the sun shimmered off all the little ripples on the many puddles due to the strong winds today. It almost looked like we were sailing on water, not ice.
The video was taken from WISCONSIN by Andy’s son-in-law, David School.
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by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 12, 2026 | DN, Home Page, ISA, NIYA, Regattas, Renegade, WSSA
Wondering how can three things be true at the same time, three regattas (the Northwest, ISA, and Nite Nationals) tentatively called on for the same weekend?
For January 16–18, all three are in play and they are connected. Multiple fleets are trying to do the right thing without stepping on each other.
Here’s the flow-chart version, in words.
Step 1: Look North
The Northwest Ice Yachting Association Regatta is tentatively on for Lake Winnebago at Fond du Lac, starting Friday, January 16.
Classes sailing at the Northwest include DN, Renegade, Stern Steerer A, B, C, and D, and A, B, and C Skeeters.
The final call will be made by noon on Wednesday, January 14, after ice and forecast checks.
This is the first domino.
Step 2: If the Northwest Is ON
NIYA sails in Fond du Lac.
The International Skeeter Association does not sail on Lake Kegonsa.
The Nite Nationals continue watching Kegonsa to determine whether Nationals conditions exist.
Step 3: If the Northwest Is OFF
Everything shifts south.
The International Skeeter Association Regatta is tentatively on for Lake Kegonsa, but only if the Northwest is postponed.
ISA racing includes A, B, and C Skeeters, Nites, and Renegade classes.
The NIYA decision is announced at 11:00 am Wednesday.
The ISA decision follows at 11:30 am.
By noon Wednesday, it will be clear whether the ISA is on and where.
Step 4: The Nite Nationals Decision
Nite Nationals are tentatively scheduled for January 16–18 on Lake Kegonsa, for either two or three days.
This is the National Championship for the Nite class.
If the ISA is officially called on, the ISA regatta takes precedence.
The Nite Board will provide updates after 3:30 pm Wednesday, with a final decision by early evening, based on ice conditions.
In plain English:
Wednesday is everything.
The Northwest decides first.
ISA reacts to the Northwest.
The Nite fleet watches Kegonsa and defers to ISA if needed.
By Wednesday night, the picture should be clear.
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