Until recently, few in the sailing or iceboating worlds knew that one of our own, Mel Jones, raced in the 1925 Indianapolis 500. As far as we know, he remains the only iceboater and A Scow sailor to have ever taken the starting flag at Indy.
That remarkable fact came to light thanks to Kristopher Strebe, a racing historian from Seattle and native of Janesville, Wisconsin. Kristopher has made it his mission to uncover the full biographical details of every driver who has competed in the Indianapolis 500.
A few days ago, Kristopher contacted me to ask if I had ever seen a photograph of Mel Jones. Fortunately, the Carl Bernard scrapbook provided what we needed, as Carl had pasted a large picture of Mel on one of its pages.
Kristopher also sent two black and white images from the 1925 Indy 500, one of a driver seated in car number 7 and another standing trackside. He had a hunch that the man in the photos might be Mel, the longtime sailmaker and a former Commodore of the Lake Geneva Yacht Club.
When we compared the photographs, it became clear that the man in the 1925 image was Mel Jones. Lake Geneva Yacht Club members Ellen Bentsen and Susie Pegel, both of whom knew Mel personally, immediately recognized him. Additional details from the LGYC yearbook and sailing community archives began to align. Kristopher’s research, combined with local knowledge, confirmed what none of us had known before: Mel Jones took the start of the 1925 Indianapolis 500, driving in relief for car owner Harold John Skelly.
Mel Jones: Sailmaker, Iceboater, and Indy Driver
Melville C Jones was born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1901. A sailor from a young age, he raced A Scows and iceboats out of the Lake Geneva Yacht Club and eventually became a respected sailmaker with Murphy and Nye, Joy Brothers, and later his own loft, Jones Brothers. He was a charter member of the Skeeter Iceboat Club, sailed a Skeeter named GREEN GHOST, and served as Commodore of the Northwest Ice Yachting Association in 1947.
But in 1925, his name briefly surfaced in another arena: automobile racing. That year, a 21-year-old named Harold John Skelly built and entered a car for the Indianapolis 500, powered by a Frontenac Ford engine. Skelly, also from Oak Park, was a student of engineering and had no prior racing experience. He qualified impressively at over 88 miles per hour, but on race day, the track physician ruled him ineligible to compete due to a heart condition.
Mel Jones took his place behind the wheel.
Official records confirm that Jones started the race in car number 7 and completed about 30 laps before the car retired with mechanical trouble. His participation was so under the radar that many accounts at the time overlooked the driver change entirely. Even decades later, his name remained disconnected from the event until Kristopher Strebe’s research brought it to light.
A Shared Skillset: From Iceboats to Indy
The story raised an intriguing question: how did a sailor and sailmaker end up racing at Indianapolis?
For those in the iceboating world, the answer makes perfect sense. Iceboats demand custom fabrication and mechanical intuition. Several iceboat builders including my father, Dave Rosten, Paul Krueger, and my late husband, Harry Whitehorse, have deep roots in motorsports. Metal parts for iceboats are rarely available off the shelf. Everything from the steering assembly to the runner plank hardware must be built by hand.
It is not hard to imagine Mel Jones moving comfortably between those two worlds.
Not to Be Confused with Milton Jones
It is worth noting that Melville C Jones is not the same person as Milton Jones, another early Indy driver who was fatally injured during practice for the 1932 Indianapolis 500. The two men have occasionally been confused in historical references, but they were entirely separate individuals. UPDATE: “Mel and Milton Jones were confused for so long because most documents and reports referred to them simply as M.C. Jones.” Kristopher Strebe. Mel Jones raced only in 1925 and lived a long life devoted to sailing, sailmaking, and the Lake Geneva community.
Who Built the Car?
One mystery remains. According to the 1983 Lake Geneva Yacht Club yearbook, Mel Jones was the “designer and builder of an Indianapolis 500 race car which finished first among the independent builders at the 1925 time trials.” Newspaper accounts from the time, however, credit Skelly as the car’s builder. It is possible both men were involved. Skelly had a technical education, and Mel certainly had the hands-on experience and design background to contribute meaningfully.
For now, the question of who actually built the car remains unanswered. But one thing is certain: Mel Jones drove in the 1925 Indianapolis 500, making him the only known iceboater to have ever done so.
I am indebted to the research of Kristopher Strebe. Tip of the Helmet to Susie Pegel and Ellen Bentsen for their input.
Skelly seated in the car. Mel Jones standing far right. Photo via Kristopher Strebe.
There’s a new page on iceboat.org: the Northwestern Ice Yachting Association Officer History, listing every President and Commodore from 1922 to 2026, along with the long-serving Secretaries and Treasurers who helped steer the organization behind the scenes.
Although the NIYA was organized in 1913, the officer records begin in 1922.
Thanks to Steve Schalk, current NIYA Secretary/Treasurer, for assembling this list. His efforts have given us a centralized record of more than a century of leadership.
One standout fact: 4LIYC’s own Paul Krueger—still racing his A Class Skeeter—served as NIYA Secretary/Treasurer for an incredible 41 years, from 1975 through 2016. A testament to his dedication and lasting impact on the sport. A big thank-you to everyone on that list for keeping the NIYA tradition going strong.
Whether you’re researching regatta records or simply curious about the names that built the NIYA, this new page is a valuable and fascinating resource. View the NIYA Officer page history here.
Powered by the Wind: ROSEMARY on Lake Winnebago and a field of windmills in the distance. Photo: Rob Resnick.
Once again, Rob Resnick of Revelations of Design joined us on the ice to capture the Northwest Regatta. Rob is a familiar presence at our regattas, often braving the elements to document the speed and beauty of iceboat racing.
This year was no exception. Rob spent all day Friday on the ice with us, despite the cold, and his dedication resulted in an impressive collection of photos. It was hard to pick a favorite because they’re all so good, but as an example, above is a screenshot of the ROSEMARY with windmills in the background—just one of many memorable shots.
From tradition to innovation: George Gerhardt’s classic stern steerer parked beside JD’s high-tech Skeeter highlights the evolution of the NIYA. Founded in 1913, this regatta has embraced 112 years of ice sailing history, blending the old with the new.
The 2025 Northwest Regatta delivered a thrilling weekend of racing on Lake Winnebago, with a mix of conditions that tested sailors’ skill and adaptability.
Friday
Perfect breeze and efficient racing. After a morning delay in waiting for the temperatures to increase, thanks to steady winds, we ran 12 races using the inline course and the Grand Prix (Bart in DN lingo) scoring system. The day ran smoothly, with everyone taking advantage of the ideal conditions. The annual meeting took place at the Fond du Lac Yacht Club.
Saturday
As predicted, the winds built steadily throughout the morning. The Skeeters kicked things off with a wild and exciting race, with JD, Ken Whitehorse, and Jay Yaeso battling neck and neck for four laps. The Stern Steerers handled the increasing breeze, though Joe Terry’s regatta ended when a mast fitting broke loose.
The B Skeeters saw an equally close and exciting race. The DNs held on through the challenging conditions with some thrilling spinouts, and everyone made it around. Then came the Renegades, racing as the wind hit 30 mph, gusting to 35 mph. Ron Rosten led for two laps before battling mast inversion issues, allowing Mike Derusha to take the lead. After that, the Race Committee called it a day due to the extreme conditions.
Stern-Steerer sailor and Race Committee member George Gerhardt organized a fantastic banquet at TJ’s Harbor on Saturday night. It was standing room only, with our own building, a bartender, efficient waitstaff, and great food—a perfect way to cap off an intense day.
Sunday
Sunday brought the lightest winds of the regatta, offering a completely different challenge. That’s what makes a great regatta: a variety of conditions. The day started with adjustments as we waited for the wind to settle and made some course changes. The first Stern Steerer race was black-flagged after the lead boat missed the time limit.
As the Skeeters and other fleets rotated through, the wind held just enough for competitive racing. The final DN race started at 12:37, and the Renegades squeezed in their last race at 12:59—just in time to meet the 1 PM deadline.
Then, it was time for the Northwest tradition: the Free For All. Three E Skeeters lined up for an eight-lap battle, with John Dennis again taking the win. (In case you are wondering, the eight-lap Skeeter race took 25 minutes and 51 seconds.) Seeing a large contingent of the young Minnetonka DN sailors join us for the regatta was exciting. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and we’re pretty sure they had the most fun of anyone this weekend.
Closing
The trophy ceremony was held on shore, marking the end of a memorable regatta. Huge thanks to the Race Committee—Jay Yaeso, Andy Gratton, George Gerhardt, Bob Cummins, and Jason Thompson—for keeping the event fun and efficient. A special shoutout to the Friendship Fishing Club for maintaining the crucial bridge and sharing their lake culture.
Seeing the Nite fleet holding their Nationals out of the same harbor was also exciting. Watching the Nites bang out race after race on this massive piece of ice added an extra layer of excitement to the weekend. The vast ice of Lake Winnebago has attracted the DN class, which has scheduled their World and North American Championships there next week, with racing set to begin on Sunday, February 2nd.
The Northwest Regatta continues to showcase the best of ice sailing, from thrilling races to the camaraderie on and off the ice. Until next time!
Renegade 1st: Mike Derusha – Menekaunee Ice Yacht Club
A Stern Steerer 1st: Eric Sawyer- West Michigan Ice Yacht Club
B Skeeter 1st: Jason Thompson – SIBC
B Skeeter 2nd: Jim Smith -Skeeter Ice Boat Club
C Skeeter 1st: Pat Heppert – Minnesota Ice Boaters
DN: From left Bob Cummins 3rd, Mike Bloom 1st, Jay Yaeso, and Matt Meyer 2nd
D Stern Steerer 1st: Andy Gratton – WSSA
E Skeeter 1st: Ken Whitehorse – Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club
Renegade 2nd: Scott Shackelford – United Skeeters Association
Renegade 2nd: Greg McCormick – 4LIYC
A note from Ken Whitehorse: “What a blessing and a privilege to be among God’s creation of ice, wind, and blades of steel! Thank you to the entire iceboat family for assistance and caring for one another.” Photo: Shane Lewis silverfoxviz.com
2025 Northwest Ice Yachting Association Regatta on Lake Winnebago. Photo: Jim Stevenson js170b
RESULTS
NIYA Regatta Update – Saturday, January 25, 2025
We wrapped up today’s racing after an E Skeeter, Stern Steerer, B Skeeter, and Renegade race. As the winds quickly built and exceeded the NIYA safety limits, the Race Committee decided to postpone further racing until Sunday morning, January 26. Racing will resume at 9:30 AM, starting with the Stern Steerers.
START ORDER AND SEQUENCE SUNDAY JANUARY 26TH
STERN STEERERS RACE 4 E SKEETER RACE 4 B+C RACE 4
STERNSTEERS RACE 5 DN RACE 5 RENEGADE RACE 5 E SKEETER RACE 5 B+C RACE 5 The sequence for race 6 uses race 5 order above. 1 PM IS CUT OFF TIME – ALL CLASSES HAVE 3 RACES FREE FOR ALL RACE STARTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER 1 PM.
Section 9. On the last day of the regatta, a race shall be sailed to determine the Regatta Champion. The entries shall be limited to the skippers of the first and second place yachts in each race for classes A, B, C, D, E, Renegade and DN. The defending champion is also eligible. For this race, qualified skippers may sail a yacht from any of the above mentioned classes, except DN. The N.I.Y.A. is under no obligation to secure yachts for qualifying skippers.
Section 10. The length of the races for Classes A, B, C, D, E, and Renegade shall be eight (8) miles.
The length of the DN races shall be approximately two-thirds of the above distance.
The Championship Race shall be not less than fifteen (15) miles, or more than twenty (20) miles in length.
Section 9. On the last day of the regatta, a race shall be sailed to determine the Regatta Champion. The entries shall be limited to the skippers of the first and second place yachts in each race for classes A, B, C, D, E, Renegade and DN. The defending champion is also eligible. For this race, qualified skippers may sail a yacht from any of the above mentioned classes, except DN. The N.I.Y.A. is under no obligation to secure yachts for qualifying skippers.
Section 10. The length of the races for Classes A, B, C, D, E, and Renegade shall be eight (8) miles.
The length of the DN races shall be approximately two-thirds of the above distance.
The Championship Race shall be not less than fifteen (15) miles, or more than twenty (20) miles in length.
Reminder: Banquet Details
TJ’s Harbor
7098 S US Hwy 45, Oshkosh, WI 54902
Social Hour: 5:00 PM Dinner: 7:00 PM
We’re looking forward to great conditions tomorrow. See you on the ice!