Class A Skeeters Jay Yaeso and John Dennis. Photo: Will Johnston
RESULTS ISA Regatta — Final Day Report
Green Lake, Wisconsin
The last day of the 2026 International Skeeter Association regatta delivered what everyone hopes for, steady wind and a big course on Green Lake measured at 1.7 miles.
Racing ran smoothly right up to the wire. The final Nite race was started just minutes before the 1:00 pm cutoff.
This regatta also marked a milestone worth pausing for. ISA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk secured his 14th ISA regatta title. If it isn’t a record, it’s close enough that someone else will need a long career and a lot of good ice to catch it. Also interesting to note that Mike Derusha has nine Renegade World Championship first-place finishes. (Elmer Millenbach won the Renegade Championship 17 times.)
Congratulations to all who raced, traveled, helped, and made Green Lake feel like the center of the iceboating world for a few days.
Now the focus shifts. Eyes on a possible Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta, while the Nites turn their attention to the upcoming Nite Nationals, both slated for Green Lake, WI. Winter isn’t done yet.
Thank you Julie Jankowski for the awards photos.
B Skeeter Fleet: From left Billy Barrett 4th, Rich Popovich 3rd, Todd Morgan 2nd, Steve Schalk 1st
Nite Fleet: From left Chris Wiberg 6th place Brian Nies 5th place Nick Vandervelde 3rd place Chad Rechcygl 2nd place Dave Navin 1st place Missing Erich Schloemer 4th place
A Skeeter Class: Jay Yaeso 1st, John Dennis 2nd
Renegade Fleet: From left, Andy Gratton 2nd, Greg McCormick 3rd, Jeff Russell 4th, Mike Derusha 1st, IRIYRA Secretary Ron Rosten
The Nite fleet from the air on Lake Puckaway, Saturday, December 26, 2020. Photo by Jim Stevenson. Instagram js170b.
A decision on whether the International Skeeter Association & Renegade Championship regattas is called on will be made tomorrow, Wednesday, January 28 by noon.
I would normally post the update here around noon, but I will be on the lake with the DN North American Championship fleet. For final confirmation and registration information, please check the BoeCraft Skeeter Ice Yacht Association website. LINK
That site will carry the official status and all registration details. UPDATE: Click here for Competitors List & Results.
The ISA race committee has tentatively called the 2026 championship on for Green Lake Wisconsin. Racing will be January 30th through February 1st 2026. The final confirmation call will be made Wednesday January 27th by noon.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
The ISA Race Committee has postponed the Championship Regatta one week to January 30th though February 1st. There is no suitable sailing area available and the temperatures for the originally scheduled days are well below minimum requirements. Next update January 25.
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.
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.
