UPCOMING:
It’s Building Season!
4LIYC Meeting : November 2025
4LIYC Shipstore: Order custom iceboat shirts, hats, and gear. More information.
BURGEE: Order your 4LIYC Burgee
Pay Your Dues Online
M197 Looks Back and Forward
Via 4LIYC Skeeter skipper Ken Whitehorse
Back in the 80s, many 4LIYC Skeeter racers towed their rigs to the regattas in camper trucks. Some were M98, M96, M98, M161, M162, M1000, M150, M197, and many more. It was a rendezvous on ice! The wind was always moderate to heavy, and the ice was fast, clear, and deep. We enjoyed bacon and eggs at sunrise, and the flag was up at ten. Races were so plentiful there was a mandatory break for lunch and time to tune up your racer. I remember one time when Nelson M150 made lasagna for lunch. Her camper had an oven! Then we assembled back to our starting blocks after lunch at 1, followed by racing, tear-down, and smart-talk while sipping a few dippers at 4. Then the short walk to Norton’s for the Smoker and more smart-talk. As you see, I am making ready to experience those iceboat racing days again. See you all at the 2021 Western Challenge.
Ken Whitehorse M197
Back in the 80s, many 4LIYC Skeeter racers towed their rigs to the regattas in camper trucks. Some were M98, M96, M98, M161, M162, M1000, M150, M197, and many more. It was a rendezvous on ice! The wind was always moderate to heavy, and the ice was fast, clear, and deep. We enjoyed bacon and eggs at sunrise, and the flag was up at ten. Races were so plentiful there was a mandatory break for lunch and time to tune up your racer. I remember one time when Nelson M150 made lasagna for lunch. Her camper had an oven! Then we assembled back to our starting blocks after lunch at 1, followed by racing, tear-down, and smart-talk while sipping a few dippers at 4. Then the short walk to Norton’s for the Smoker and more smart-talk. As you see, I am making ready to experience those iceboat racing days again. See you all at the 2021 Western Challenge.National Sailing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: Jane Pegel
1996 Northwest Regatta. DN Class champions. From left, Todd Gamble, Jan Gougeon, John Dennis, Lou Loenneke, National Sailing Hall of Fame member Jane Pegel
Previous: Jane Pegel To Be Inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame
The National Sailing Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held last weekend in Newport, RI. Watch the Hall of Fame Induction Facebook Video (Jane’s induction starts at 1:28.) Jane and Susie could not attend the ceremony but Jane’s remarks were read by another inductee and friend, Lynn Jewell Shore. Congratulations, Jane.
I am pleased to be inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame and disappointed at not being able to be in Newport this weekend. It’s a true honor to join the ranks of the nation’s top sailors.
Growing up on Lackey Drive in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, sailing was the neighborhood “thing.” As a first generation sailor, I learned how to sail by the trial-and-error method. Those in the know around Geneva Lake told my father Dr. Clifford Wiswell what sort of equipment I should have whether it be sailing equipment or iceboating equipment.
I learned many valuable lessons competing against great sailors and watching great sailors in action. Having a husband who was a master boatbuilder and sailmaker certainly helped my race results.
I consider Bill Buchan the ultimate role model for sailors seeking to become champions. He worked hard to perfect his equipment as well as his sailing technique. He always sought to be ahead of the curve and his results in the Star class reflect his dedication to the sport.
Iceboating was always #1 for me for more than 60 years. I raced in the Skeeter and DN classes, and served as an officer and committee member in many iceboat organizations. For more than 40 years I served on the National Iceboat Authority, writing and analyzing the rules that govern iceboat racing. I am proud to say I mixed the epoxy when the stern-steerer iceboat “The Deuce” was rebuilt roughly a decade ago. (“The Deuce” is the world’s largest iceboat.)
I have watched many generations of sailors coming up through the ranks through my involvement with the Lake Geneva Yacht Club and Geneva Lake Sailing School. The tradition of champions coming from Lake Geneva is being carried on by Laser Radial sailor Chapman Petersen and others.
Thank you again for this honor. By the way, I’m not related to the Johnson Boat Works family in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Most of my relatives hail from Walworth County, Wisconsin or Grand Rapids, Michigan.
P.S. Many thanks to Lynne Jewell for representing Jane at this ceremony. Jane and Susie enjoyed racing against Lynne in the Laser class over the years.
Jane Pegel
Drawing BLADE RUNNER
Greg Whitehorse grew up racing iceboats and, along with his brother, Gary, joined their father, Harry, campaigning open-wheel sprint car and midgets on the Midwest dirt-track racing circuit. Greg also watched his father create stunning oil paintings of race cars and iceboats. A few months ago, Greg picked up colored pencils and began sketching his favorite classic race cars. He posted them on the Badger Midget Facebook page, where they have been well received.
Greg has turned his attention to iceboats with the first sketch of his boat, the Renegade BLADE RUNNER, and posted it on the 4LIYC Facebook page. Let’s hope this is the first iceboat sketch of more to come!
DRIFTER: Now in Stereo
DRIFTER Archives
C Skeeter Archives
Pat Heppert’s seeing double and working like a madman up in MN to get ready for the season.
Best ISA rule ever: “ 5.4 Each yacht shall carry on both sides of her hull a name, of the owner’s selection, in letters not less than 3” high, in a color contrasting to that of the hull side.” It’s an official rule, not a suggestion. But how do you go about picking a name? A proper yacht would bear the name of the owner’s spouse (like the Mary B), but these modern ice missiles are far from proper yachts, I don’t think they even float. Some pick a clever play on words relating to the cold winter (Icicle, Ice Scream, Frozen Asset). Others incorporate the boat design name (Nite Flight, Good Nite, Whizz kid, Wizzard, Cheese Whizz). Some have admitted their personality in their boat name (Instigator, Notorious, Rebel). Still others name it after their favorite things in life (see Ken Kreider).
So what’s with this total lack of creativity to pick a new name for the new boat. It turns out, I don’t have a choice anymore. A while ago, when in high school, I was sailing a DN that was super fun, but when it hit a snow drift, it seemed to either just stop, or hike up, or get kind of airborne. Meanwhile, Dad was right next me in his 700 lb Class E skeeter, and he would go right through the drift which would just absolutely explode into a spectacular white cloud of powder, and keep rumbling down the ice without any loss of speed.
So when we built my Renegade a couple years later, we had to pick a name. I thought “Drifter” because I wanted to blast through snow drifts just like Dad. Fast forward a few decades and the name kind of stuck. Every winter it seems like I am approached by multiple people who don’t really know my name, but instead ask me “Are you the Drifter?”. So I have finally come to terms with the fact that indeed I have no choice, it turns out that I am the Drifter.
Pat Heppert
C-Skeeter “Drifter” I-291
International Skeeter Association: 2022 Notice of Race & Dues
International Skeeter Association (ISA) Secretary Steve Schalk has released the 2022 ISA Championship Notice of Race and Notice of Dues. Download the dues form and send it to the address provided.
INTERNATIONAL SKEETER ASSOCIATION 2022 CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA NOTICE OF RACE
DOWNLOAD IN A PDF FILE
10/2021
All races will be sailed under the rules of the National Iceboat Authority and those of the International Skeeter Association (ISA).
Date: The Regatta will be held on January 7, 8, & 9, 2022.
Race Schedule:
- The first race will be at 10:00 AM local time on Friday, January 7, 2022
- Preliminary site location will be announced by 6 p.m. CST on the Sunday prior to the regatta
- Final call will be announced by 12 noon, C.S.T on the Wednesday prior to the regatta
- Races will be held for A, B, C Class Skeeters, Nites and Renegades should Renegades choose to hold their national championship regatta in conjunction with the ISA Championship Regatta.
- Nine races are scheduled for each division. Three are necessary for a complete regatta.
Postponement:
- The Regatta will be postponed if the Northwest Ice Yachting Association Regatta is held on these dates.
- The Race Committee may postpone the regatta or change regatta site any time prior to noon, C.S.T on the Thursday prior to the regatta.
Location: Possible locations, in order of preference, are: East Division, Green Lake, Lake Geneva, Madison, Green Bay.
Entries:
- Each competitor must be a current member of the ISA. Dues may be paid on the ISA website or at the regatta.
- Entry Fee is $15.00 per yacht.
Registration:
- Will be available at iceboat.org on the ISA page when the regatta is called ON
- Competitors may also register at Regatta Headquarters from 8:30 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. local time on Friday, January 7, 2022.
Sailing Instructions: Will be available on the ISA website and at the time of Registration. Awards will be given according to Part II Section 3 of The International Skeeter Association Constitution, By-Laws and Racing Rules
In DN World
To help attract new ice sailors, the North American and European DN Class have introduced a world portal website, dniceboat.org, showcasing high-quality DN videos, photos. The portal also features IDNIYRA’s common governing documents, regatta history, and rank list.
Under the Class Information menu item, the DN Specifications and Racing Rules are two pages of note to all ice sailors. The class will keep Specs pages up to date in an easier to read format than the class yearbook, adding the Interpretations to their specific Spec. The Racing Rules and their definitions are presented in more of a graphic form.
dniceboat.org is a portal to idniyra.org and idniyra.eu, which will keep members informed of their specific continental affairs.
Spaight St. Syndicate Update: Flat Pack Masts
Mast mania
Daniel Hearn’s mind wanders over to Ikea iceboat mast section…
Spaight St. Archives
Ikea Masts
Ingvar Kamprad built a $40 billion per year enterprise selling furniture in boxes. His future took shape when he realized success depended on the simplest, most cost-efficient distribution from factory to customer. The founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, figured out he didn’t even have to make anything to become the richest man in the world (never mind the divorce). He just had to have the best distribution system anywhere.
I’m sure our first billion is showing up in the offshore shell company bank account as I type, now that word is out that you can buy a C-Skeeter mast in a box. If you’re looking for my name in the Pandora Papers, however, don’t bother. The Corp will eventually trace to my wife’s name. She’s the smart one in the family!
Daniel Hearn
Gretchen Dorian Exhibition: Sailing On Ice in MI
Folks in the Michigan and Ohio area will want to put this on your calendars. Gretchen Dorian’s ice sailing photos will be on exhibition at the The Ford House in Grosse Point Shores near Detroit, Michigan November through March 2022. Make a reservation for the November 21, 2021 opening reception on their website. More information.
Join us for an opening reception and view our latest exhibition, Sailing on Ice, featuring ice boat photography by Gretchen Dorian.
The reception is free and open to the public, but space is limited to allow social distancing, and registration is required. The exhibition is in the Teague Gallery inside our new Visitor Center and runs through March 20, 2022.
Ford House requires masks inside all of our buildings, regardless of vaccination status.
About the Artist
Gretchen photographs iceboat racing competitions around the world. Gretchen lives and works in northern Michigan. She grew up sailing on Lake St. Clair. Her photographs have been published in Wooden Boat Journal, ESPN Magazine, SAIL, Sailing World, Lakeland Boating, BOAT US, Great Lakes Scuttlebutt, Michigan BLUE and Outside Bozeman Magazine. Online publications include the Wall Street Journal, TRAVERSE Magazine, Sailing Scuttlebutt, Sailing Anarchy, HARKEN and Seahorse of the UK.
21-22 4LIYC Meeting News Update
The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club meetings will continue on Zoom. The upside is that last season, Zoom enabled our club members from outside the Madison area to participate and talk ice. We will review our meeting options towards the end of December.
Again as last year, club members in good standing will receive an email with the meeting link a day before and on the meeting day.
2021 4LIYC ON ZOOM MEETING SCHEDULE
Time: 6:30 PM Central
November 10
November 24: Officer and Fleet Captain Election
December 8
December 22
2022 January: Meeting schedule and location will be reviewed.
Inside Overlap @ Spaight St.
“Two (or insert any number) are just as easy to build as one” has to be one of the top ten commandments of iceboating building. Daniel Hearn checks in with his latest update.
Spaight Street Syndicate Archives
Inside Overlap
When I’m racing catamarans, I like to amuse myself by coming into the starboard gate on port tack. More often than not, some cowboy will come charging in barking STARBOARD!, with gotcha-rage in their eyes, unaware that he has no rights. Makes me laugh every time.
In my basement shop, I am also currently exercising my inside overlap rights. My entitlement is not guaranteed by any rule book, but my wife still let’s me get away with it. She’s been a really good sport about it, but I can tell she’s not amused. I’m afraid by the time first ice comes, my penance will be along the lines of a hooker leaving a confessional. But it will be worth it!
Just about ready for top skins on both the new C-Skeeter and the fixed wing boat.
Daniel Hearn
Online Ship’s Store
National Iceboat Authority Web Page
4LIYC Governing Documents
Click for 4LIYC Meeting Dates
- January 2 THURSDAY Honor Roll Nominations
- January 15 Deadline for By-Law or Racing Rules Amendment Submission
- January 29
- February 12 Business Meeting
- February 26
- March 12 Last Meeting of the Season
Location: In person at the Elks Lodge 711 Jenifer St, Madison, WI 53703
Time: 6:30 PM
YOU ARE SKIPPER NUMBER
TO ROUND THE MARK SINCE NOVEMBER 1999.
