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The Relentless Search For Skeeter Ice: Mendota-Oconto-Menominee
The Skeeter group toasts JD for winning the “Bottle Trophy.” From left, Jay Yaeso, Steve Orlebeke, Mark Isabell, Ken Whitehorse, Paul Krueger, John Dennis (JD), Eric Hyslop, Tom Hyslop, Leon Lebeau.
As told to the Editor by Ken Whitehorse
The Madison-based Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club Skeeter Fleet of Paul Krueger M165 and Ken Whitehorse M197 relentless search for ice finally paid off this past weekend at Menominee, Michigan, where they enjoyed 3 days of racing and camaraderie.
Earlier in the week, they set up on the west end of Lake Mendota on Tuesday in 40 mph winds and a 20f temperature. They checked ice with the 4LIYC ATV, and Ken sent out the word to the other Skeeter guys that “all systems go, ice looks great” in anticipation of Wednesday racing.
Tom Hyslop V738 arrived Wednesday morning to find the launch quickly disintegrating. The lake ice was still holding, and Ken proposed that they take turns at the wheel in his boat. 4LIYC Commodore Don Anderson arrived with the orange marks and the club’s Nebulous flotation device. The Dane County Lakes Patrol warden visited the landing, and Ken said, “a long talk ensued.”
Ready to leave for Oconto and adventure.
Rather than trying to sail, Ken and Paul decided to pull off the trailer. Tom Hyslop and son Eric Hyslop assisted with boat disassembly and loading. When Ken hauled the trailer off the lake with his Mule ATV, the 8000# Bulldog trailer jack was damaged and bent. Ken remarked that “seven sets of Skeeter runners in the trailer might have been a bit much.” That afternoon, word came from Iceboat Central U311 Jay Yaeso about ice on Lake Michigan near Oconto, Wisconsin.
Bright and early Thursday morning, Ken went to the Past Champions Iceboat Shop and fired up his blowtorch to heat the trailer-crank cherry-red and fixed the roller wheel. Paul and Ken shoved off for Oconto to rendezvous with Tom Hyslop. Oconto’s ice was tremendous, but ice fishermen blocked access to the lake because the fish were hitting there.
Thankfully, Mike Derusha R188 called Paul and reported that Menominee, Michigan had plenty of ice and told them to “come on up.” The three ice seekers didn’t waste time making the 30-minute drive to Menominee. Mike met them at the landing with a big smile and welcoming arms. They thanked Mike for taking care of the Skeeter fleet. Ken said Mike’s response was, “M fleet helps us; we help you.” Ken texted Jay, informing him to spread the word that Menominee was the place to be. Tom ended the evening by holding up a PBR nightcap and uttered, “we ride tomorrow.”
The conditions at Menominee were perfect for three days of Skeeter racing. The Skeeters are grateful for Eric Hyslop’s help setting up the marks and helping the fleet. Thanks to Mike Derusha for providing trees. JD and Tom were instrumental in setting our racing courses. Thanks to Steve and Mary Jane Schalk in Fontana, WI for tabulating the scores.
The week started with just three Skeeter sailors getting together on Lake Mendota to sail before the ice went terrible. We chased ice, and we were lucky to find it in Menominee, where we experienced a club-racing-like atmosphere. We just happened to have a bunch of trophies to make it more fun. No one is in charge of the Wisconsin Skeeter Association. If there’s ice, the Wisconsin Skeeter Association racers will be there.
2021 WSSA Championship Photo Gallery: Gretchen Dorian
ROSEMARY chasing HAYWIRE
Stern-Steerers are one of photographer Gretchen Dorian’s favorite subjects to point her camera
Stern-Steerers are one of photographer Gretchen Dorian’s favorite subjects to photograph. Gretchen came over the bridge from Northern Michigan to photograph the great gathering of iceboats in Menominee, Michigan, over the weekend. She’s editing all the images and will have the high-resolution versions available on her website for purchase. She uploaded fifty photos to Facebook and has allowed iceboat.org to post them for those of you who don’t use Facebook. Here’s the first batch, the Stern-Steerers from their 2021 Wisconsin Stern-Steerers Association Championship. Gretchen would also like to thank Mike Derusha for helping her get out two miles to the Stern-Steerer race course.
Results Below
Skeeter Fly By
Get a close look and listen as Steve Orlebeke V500 and John Dennis U194 sail past Alex Peterson who shared this on Facebook. They were competing in the Wisconsin Skeeter Association Championship sailed on Lake Michigan at Menominee, Michigan, March 5-7, 2021. Alex and Rob Evans, both from Minnesota, are partners in the Class A Skeeter MERLIN. Rob sailed the DN Western Region regatta while Alex sailed the Skeeter. Stand by for more photos and a report from Ken Whitehorse about the 3 day event.
Wisconsin Skeeter Association Championship
The Class A Skeeters raced on the first day of their Wisconsin Skeeter Association Championship at Menominee, Michigan on Friday, March 5th. As winner of the 4th race, John Dennis won the “Bottle Trophy.” Steve Orlebeke arrived last night and will be joining the Skeeter fleet racing today. At breakfast, the Skeeter guys said they had an excellent day of racing yesterday and were getting ready for another one.
Skeeter Scores
Quintuplets: A 5 Regatta Weekend
Good morning from Menominee in Michigan, where miles of sailable ice have summoned the tribe. The Stern-Steerers and Skeeters made the 30 minutes drive north from Oconto, WI because the fish were biting. (See WSSA Secretary Andy Gratton’s message below.) The Wisconsin Skeeter Association championships will start today. The WSSA and DN Western Regional Championship will begin on Saturday. Green Lake, WI is the Nite Nationals site, and Elk Lake in Michigan will host the DN Central Region Championships. Here are links to all the results. Thanks to tabulators Mary Jane Schalk for handling the Nites, Skeeters, and Stern Steerers and to Ann Foeller for tabulating the DNs.
REGATTA RESULTS FOR MARCH 6-7, 2021
DN Western Region Championship
DN Central Region Championship
Nite Nationals
Wisconsin Skeeters Association Championship
Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association Championship
The WSSA regatta location has changed due to ice fishermen overtaking Oconto City Park. Apparently the fish are biting and today the park was so full with vehicles on both sides of the road that the beach ramp was inaccessible. Since this is a Thursday we are tentative that Saturday and Sunday will have even more vehicles parked in the way. Therefore the regatta is moved to Menominee where, if nothing else happens, we can be entertained watching DNs. The ramp is at the Watermark Bayview Restaurant, formerly Schlegel’s, on the north side of the parking lot. Permission to use their property as a drive-on and to park in the parking lot has been granted. The access is down a lumpy beach. Four-wheelers will be available to pull trailers though there is 17″ of ice near shore and 12″ to 14″ off-shore a few hundred feet. Drive on is possible. There is a working shove to be crossed to get to the racing area.
First race is now moved to 11 am Saturday, note the time change.
A few small grills will be available for anybody wishing to cook out Friday or Saturday evening. Bring your own food.
Andy
WSSA Secretary
4LIYC Racing Update for March 6-7, 2021
The Black Panther vintage skeeter, built by Chris Smith of Chris-Craft comes off the lake.
The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club hopes of getting a racing season for this season were dashed by the recent warm spell. Don Anderson and Jeff Russell pulled off their vintage Skeeter this week because Mendota turned into a slush pit with weakened landings. The 4LIYC has cancelled racing for the weekend.
Fort Peck 2022
Daniel Hearn C Class Skeeter at Fort Peck Montana February, 2021. Photo: Sean R. Heavey
Via the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club Facebook page from Daniel Hearn:
Who wants to go to Fort Peck, Montana next year? I’m thinking a Baikal-like annual adventure open to all ice sailors. At the end of the season when the rest of our ice is typically un-sailable. Those of us in the Midwest and further left would likely still drive. And maybe we arrange for containers to go from the Central Region and the East? The town would roll out the red carpet for us and maybe even throw in some tourism dollars support. What do you think?
Let us know what you think. Email debwhitehors@gmail.com
Pat Heppert C Class Skeeter on Fort Peck . Photo Sean R. Heavey
Daniel Hearn C Class Skeeter at Fort Peck Montana February, 2021. Photo: Sean R. Heavey
Regatta Watch: 2021 Nite Nationals Called ON for March 6-7
Mark Prange 550 and Mike Peters 544 battling it out. Photo: John Hayashi
The Nite National Championship has been called on for March 6-7 on the west end of Green Lake in Wisconsin. See the Nite class website for more information.
In The News: One Day on Mendota
The recent warm weather melted the snow on Lake Mendota this week. 4LIYC members Jim Nordhaus, Don Sanford, and Grant Frautschi took advantage of the marginal conditions before the slush became too deep and the landings deteriorated. See more photos here.
Regatta Watch: 2021 WSSA Called ON for March 6-7
Jay Yaeso and Eric Sawyer
Via WSSA Secretary Andy Gratton:
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Regatta has been called on for Oconto City Park which is about 2 miles south of Oconto, Wisconsin on the bay shore. The intersection to Hwy 41 is at Frog Pond Road.
LAUNCH
Ice access is from a 400′ beach with the ice close to shore frozen to the bottom. It is not recommended to drive more than a few truck lengths onto the ice. A four wheeler will be available to pull trailers onto the ice. Heavy trailers can park on the ice next to shore to off-load. The wind forecast is not great but this may be the last chance for WSSA this season. First race is scheduled for Saturday, March 6 at noon.
LODGING
There is an EconoLodge in Oconto with rooms at $70 with pool, hot tub, and continental breakfast.
600 Brazeau Ave, Oconto, WI 54153 Phone: (920) 834-5559
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.
