The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club is one of the most active iceboat clubs in North America. We’ve been building and racing iceboats for over 100 years in Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Our ice reports are strictly for iceboat racers. Recreational iceboaters, kite boarders, cross country skiers, and ice fishermen should not rely on our ice reports. We have safety equipment. Do you?
One of the best pages in North America to buy or sell iceboats and their parts. There’s also a complete list of vendors who will supply iceboats, sails, and their components.
“If all our ice were glass, slightly wet, and all our air reasonably steady with lifters just where needed, sailing would be perfect. Sometimes we do find this, and it is worth waiting years to have. Meanwhile we must accept the more ordinary ice conditions, ordinary weather and wind, and gracefully accept snow, sometimes for weeks. Our ideal comes from time to time, the Great Maker gives only so much of the very best.” Charles H. Johnson.
Ice Optimists were created specifically as a youth trainer, designed to be easily built using commonly available materials, and to keep costs to a minimum.
It was a cold day on Lake Pepin. Temperatures climbed out of the single digits late morning but the sunshine and blue skies made it manageable. Several Minnesota DNS arrived and explored the lake. Daniel Hearn spent the morning reassembling and reattaching his C Skeeter bubble which had flown off the boat on Friday. (Most iceboaters can relate to the hotel room surgery photo below.)We set up some marks for some scrub racing. The wind was moderate, maybe 7 – 8 mph. Enough to keep everyone happy. We’ll enjoy one more day in Lake City tomorrow before heading back home.
We are still waiting for the ice to appear here in the Four Lakes area. Kegonsa and Monona are in various states of ice and open water and a snow storm is on the way. We’ll know more after the storm.
Meanwhile, here’s the current view of Lake Pepin from Lake City, MN. The ice has not been sailed yet. Will report more later on the particulars.
2019 ISA on Lake Pepin in Lake City, MN Photo: Steve Brown
Mayor Mark and AmericInn Host, Justin are rolling out the red carpet to have us back this weekend for what we’re dubbing the Pepin “Pop-Up” Regatta…unscheduled, unsanctioned, unscored…and undeniably among the best ice sailing venues anywhere!
Does it have a sail? Does it have runners? Does it have a loose nut at the helm? You’re in! Just show up and have fun. We’ll scrub race, trade secrets, tell stories and test the ice for a possible ISA and/or DN North American Championship. If the stars aligned like that, wouldn’t that be unbelievable!?
Here are some pictures and a description of the ice conditions yesterday, January 7, 2020.
“Ramp could use more ice, but 15 feet out 5-6″ thick. At 50 – 100 ft. out, 8-9″ thick. No pressure ridges as far as I can see. Pretty smooth. I can bring the 4LIYC ramps and Deb can bring the DN Western Region ATV and trailer.”
It’s subzero there right now, so the landing will be even better and the ice even thicker. Small amount of rain in forecast for Thursday, which should help Zamboni the decent ice we have already. Temps. in mid to upper twenties Saturday and Sunday with winds 10 – 15 mph.
Justin has even offered an under-the-radar rate of $75/night at the AmericInn just down the street from the Lake City Launch. So pack your long undies and call the hotel at 651-345-5611 and book your room.
Doesn’t this sound like one that would be unfortunate to miss?
Greg Whitehorse sailing his Renegade BLADE RUNNER on Lake Monona
At the last 4LIYC meeting, Greg Whitehorse was nominated for the club’s Honor Roll, something that was long over due. Besides sailing and building ice boats nearly his entire life, Greg has been designing our 4LIYC graphics for many years. He also wrote a club newsletter for a while, peppering it with his wry sense of humor. In your internet travels, take some time to read or re-read The Blade Runner where you will find the finest writing about ice boating anywhere.
Jerry Simon and Greg McCormick nominate Greg Whitehorse to be inducted into the 4LIYC Honor Roll. Greg has been an active club member for over 40 years and has served as Commodore or Vice Commodore on multiple occasions. As club historian, Greg has collected, maintained and preserved club records, artifacts and memorabilia.
An active racer with a long history in both the skeeter and Renegade fleets, Greg competed against and chronicled the stories of the sports greatest champions. Greg highlighted the victories and losses and penned tales of triumph and tragedy in his newsletter: “The Blade Runner.” Greg captured (in real time) races, events and conversations that would have otherwise been lost or forgotten.
Greg has generously shared his artistic talents, creating several club logos in the form of patches, hats and glassware, all promoting the 4LIYC and the sport of iceboating. Greg’s contributions to the sport will be appreciated for generations.
Fresh off the virtual printing press via ISA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk, here’s the latest edition of News & Views, the International Skeeter Association’s newsletter. ISA News & Views Jan 2020
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to January 18 and 19, 2020. We need some January weather to achieve thickness, not more of this April weather. The next update will be Sunday, January 12. Check back here at that time.
Great Western Challenge DN racing on Lake Puckaway. Photo: John Hayashi
Lake Puckaway survives recent warm temperatures, rain, snow, and comes through again for ice sailors. The DN Western Region Championship is called on for Lake Puckaway on January 4-5, 2020. Go over to idniyra.org for the latest information.
