Drone shot from the 2019 International Skeeter Association Regatta on Lake Pepin, Lake City, MN Photo: Steve Brown
It’s time to start thinking seriously about ice! The Minnesota Ice Sailors have announced back to back
fun-regattas (non-sanctioned events) for December 2019. Both regattas will take place on the best ice in Minnesota, location to be announced. Information will be posted on the Minnesota Ice Sailing website, iceboating.net.
DN WESTERN CHALLENGE December 6-8, 2019
Location: TBA, best ice in MN
Mini-Skeeters are also invited to attend and join the party!
SKEETER WESTERN CHALLENGE
December 14-15, 2019
Location: TBA, best ice in MN
Classes: A, B, and C Skeeters
That is the question and the Nite class is not going to wait any longer. The general pattern for Nite Nationals has been to start the national regatta process in the third week of January. Though we have had great luck the last seven or so years with completing a championship regatta, Nite class board members felt it was time to make more options available. This means that the first eligible weekend to sail a national championship regatta is the first weekend in January. The ability to have those two extra weeks hopefully will open up new regatta venues for the Nite class which we have not been able to sail in the past. So mark your calendars now, January 4th and 5th 2020.
The season is over for the Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association. Here’s the Stern Steerer kid to help give the season a send-off.
Regrettably the Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been cancelled for this season. Perhaps there will be some early ice in December that might allow us to race for the 2019 season. In the meantime you have all summer to fix those nagging problems, or for some of us, to finish the new boat so it is ready for early ice. Keep your runners sharp!
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
Congratulations to all competitors who hung tough during a week of warm temperatures and rain leading up to the regatta. Many thanks to co- PROs Doug Kolner and Pat Heppert for setting courses, dropping starting blocks, and keeping things running efficiently. Thanks Grant Frautschi and Lars Barber for making the drive to Kegonsa every day before the regatta to check the landings and ice. Thanks to Nite officers John Hayashi (Mimi too!), Mike Peters, Maureen Bohleber, and Don Sanford for their help. Thanks to Steve and Mary Jane Schalk for staffing the off-shore scoring office from Fontana, WI. Thanks to Daniel Hearn for the use of the DN Western Region ATV, marks, and equipment. Thanks to the members of 4LIYC for their continued strong support for the sport of iceboat racing by ensuring the Nite regatta had the best course. And finally, thanks to everyone who jumped into action on Sunday to help take the trailers off the ice when the landing deteriorated. Watching the ingenuity and cooperation was truly iceboating at its finest!
The flag dropped at 9:10 AM Saturday and the Nites were able to complete 3 races in each fleet before the wind shut down and the ice became crusty. Racing begins at 9 AM this morning. Time to head to the lake and see what the day brings!
The Nite Nationals have been called on for Lake Kegonsa. More information, see the Nite website.PLEASE DO NOT DRIVE ON THE ICE!!!!
2019 Nite Nationals
Sat 3/16 – Sun 3/17
Location: Kegonsa, WI
MUST PRE-REGISTER!!!!
Money will not be accepted on Saturday. (Maureen will never make the race on time). Please pay by paypal below (you don’t need an account just your card).
Hotel info: Due to Spring Break and High School Basketball State Tourney, we are having a hard time finding Lodging… We are suggesting finding your own hotel. There will not be a central hotel for all to stay. Plenty of hotels with rooms available, but not one that can block off a huge # of rooms for us.
Friday Night Early Arrivals: TBA
Banquet/Dinner: Essen Haus 6pm Saturday
Registration due by 7pm Thursday Night 3/14
All competitors must pay online or at regatta head
$10 late fee if paying after 7pm Thursday 3/14
