2020 Northwest Ice Yacht Racing Association Information
March 13-15,2020
Lake Waconia, Minnesota
FRITZ Heads to Minnetonka
FRITZ ARCHIVES
After 25 years of stewardship, Fred Stritt has passed the helm of the historic Class A stern-steerer FRITZ to a new caretaker. The iconic iceboat, built by Carl Bernard, has found a new home on Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota.
Fred shared his thoughts on the transition on the Midwest Hardwater Sailing Facebook page:
FRITZ is an incredible machine—smooth in light air, exhilarating in medium air, and on the edge of terrifying in heavy air. She’s like hanging onto the tail of a dinosaur—if they want you gone, you’ll be flicked off and flying! Congratulations to Bill and his group and I look forward to seeing Fritz blossom under your guardianship!
Some History:
The Class A stern-steerer FRITZ, built by Carl Bernard, roared into iceboating legend as a Madison, Wisconsin icon. Owned by Frederick Jungbluth and sailed by Bernard, FRITZ achieved an extraordinary feat in 1934, winning all four major trophies—the Stuart Cup, Hearst International Trophy, Northwest Class A, and Northwest free-for-all—in a single year, a record unmatched at the time. FRITZ was a powerhouse, and her victories were celebrated in the Wisconsin State Journal and beyond.
Tragedy struck in 1935 when a mysterious fire—suspected to be arson—destroyed FRITZ and her companion, Miss Alice in Madison. Yet FRITZ endured, and Carl rebuilt her after the fire; she was painted bright red to honor her survival. By 1948, with Bill Mattison crewing for 18-year-old Jim Lunder, she reclaimed the Northwest Class A title on Geneva Lake. Please see the FRITZ archives for more history on this boat.
Regatta Watch: 2025 ISA & Renegade Championship Postponed to March 7 – 9
Photo: Kevin Chapman
The ISA Race Committee has postponed the regatta to March 7-9, 2025.. The weather forecast of high temperatures and high winds for February 28th made it impossible to predict the ice condition for the following two days, and the Sunday wind forecast made it unlikely to get two race days in any case.
The forecast ahead looks very promising for both Lake City (24” of ice) and Madison (18” of ice). Temperatures go to 40 degree highs with mid 20 degree lows, with at least half of each 24 hours below freezing.
Both locations will be sailed and thoroughly checked prior to March 7th. We have a good chance for a solid three day regatta this time, so check your equipment and sharpen your runners. Next update is Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
February 26. 2025: DN in MI
DN complete racing package with enclosed trailer: $6,400
Sherry clone fuselage with custom hiking rack, carbon-fiber steering rod. Sherry carbon fiber Rocket mast with reinforced hound. Sherry standard carbon mast. Heavy duty rigging with Struble spreader-bar and toggles. Aluminum boom with tapered sheet, Harken blocks, 3-inch ratchet for light air, rear block track adjustable. Sherry plank with Sarns chocks. Thirty runners collected over 35 years: 4X 3/16×36 440c inserts with Sherry carbon fiber sides. 1X 3/16×34” steering 440c carbon insert. 4X soft-ice ¼ x 36 inserts carbon sides. 8X Sarns 1/4-inch plates, all shapes and lengths. 3X 3/16×30-inch snow inserts. 3X Polish min.-width 36” Ts. 2X max.-width 36” Ts. 5X slush runners. Six sails: nearly new North F-01; 2X old F-01s; ABSS speed sail; small speed sail; storm sail. Boat-assembly tools, cover, horses.
All of these components interchangeable with Sherry clone: wide cockpit fuselage built by Tom Hamill with wood veneer mast. Second Sherry plank. Second heavy-duty rig with Struble spreader. Wood boom with ratchet and 3-inch blocks, adjustable track.
Racing marks. Regatta gear box. Heavy-duty spud. Shop box for maintenance. Spare parts.
Enclosed trailer for these two DNs and all this gear. Located in Muskegon, Mich.
Randy Rogoski, dnus4192@aol.com
SOLD! September 9, 2024: Skeeter in MI
SOLD! A- Class Rear-seat Skeeter NOTORIOUS
Wood mast 26
No Trailer
Runners in good conditions
plank in good great condition
Multiple sails in like new condition
Asking $1,500 OBO
Regatta Watch: 2025 ISA & Renegade Championship Called ON for Lake City, MN
Photo: Will Johnston
The 2025 ISA and Renegade Championship are on for Lake City, Minnesota for Friday February 28th, Saturday March 1st and Sunday March 2nd 2025. The ice thickness is over 18 inches of smooth black stuff.
The snow cover is now an average of 2” but it will likely be gone by the time the Wednesday check is done, based on the forecast temperatures upcoming.
The final call will be made by noon Wednesday February 26th. Next update will be Wednesday, February 26.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
4LIYC Racing Scores Now Published
Renegades on Lake Monona. Photo: Marcus Berghahn
The racing scores for the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club are now available online. A big thank you to Damien Luyet, who has stepped up to handle score tabulation this season. His efforts ensure we can all track the results from our latest races.
Check out the scores here Stay tuned for more racing updates as the season progresses!
4LIYC Meeting – Wednesday, February 19 at The Breakwater
MARY B at Frozen Assets Festival
It’s been a while since we’ve been able to meet in person, but we’re finally getting together! Join us at The Breakwater in Monona on Wednesday, February 19, at 6:30 PM.
WHAT TO KNOW:
4LIYC Meeting
Breakwater
6308 Inland Way
Monona, WI
6:30 PM
There’s so much to talk about—don’t miss it! Looking forward to catching up with everyone. See you there!
Regatta Watch: 2025 ISA & Renegade Championship Postponed to Feb 28, March 1-2
Gretchen Dorian Photo
The ISA & Renegade Championship have been postponed to February 28th, March 1st and 2nd, 2025. All racing areas are snowbound right now, but a warm up is coming. The next update will be Sunday February 23rd.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
Snow Got You Down? Tune In to Matt Struble’s Podcast Interview
Matt Struble US183. Photo by Anna Suslova.
With the 4LIYC racing on pause thanks to all this snow, it’s a great time to catch up on some ice sailing talk. Sailing Anarchy just dropped a new podcast featuring none other than 2025 DN World & North American Champion Matt Struble! Fresh off his dominant performance at Lake Winnebago, Matt sat down with host Scott Tempesta to break down the regatta. While his scores made it look effortless, Matt shares just how tough the conditions were and what it took to come out on top. As Scott put it: “I just chatted him up, and I can tell he is going to be a great guest!” The episode is available this afternoon—perfect listening while we wait for sailable ice to return.
Listen here: https://sailinganarchy.com/sailing-anarchy-podcast/ Or check out the SA podcasts on Apple, Google, or Spotify podcasts.
Stay tuned, and hopefully, the Big Zamboni will arrive and we’ll be back on the ice soon!
SOLD! February 11, 2025: C Stern-Steerer in WI
SOLD! C-Class Stern Steerer MISFIRE
25’ backbone
18’ runner plank
24’ mast
14’ main boom
With trailer.
Regatta Watch: 2025 ISA & Renegade Championship Postponed to Feb 21 – 23
2025 Nite Nationals. Photo: Will Johnston
The ISA Race Committee has postponed the 2025 annual Championship to February 21, 22, 23, 2025. (Along with the Renegade Championship.)
The snow falling right now, along with the forecast for much additional snow Friday has put the regatta on hold for now. All possible locations are affected by the snow.
The next decision will be on Sunday the 16th, when the snow results will be known. There is a lot of regatta condition ice under the snow, so we are still early in the season and may yet see it melt off.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
In The News – Again! Milwaukee Journal Sentinal
Great article about our sport including recognition for Minnesota’s Sam Bartel, a young man who is bringing new sailors into the sport.
Iceboats can go 80 mph on Wisconsin’s frozen lakes
Iceboats, some a century old, are the speedsters and yachts of frozen lakes.
By Rick Barrett
Milwaukee Journal SentinelCRIVITZ – On Lake Noquebay in Marinette County, the Ace of Spades, Miss Jane II, Rosemary, and other iceboats gather for a regatta on ice where the wind has cleared much of the snow. Continue reading.
In the News: The 2024 Northwest
Minnesota station KARE joined us at the 2024 Northwest in Waconia, Minnesota last season. Check out their coverage at the 8 minute mark. Watch here.
SOLD! December 9, 2024: Arrow in PA
SOLD! Arrow #325
Arrow and Arrow jet
Hull rebuilt (2015) with access ports
OE and gull wing runner planks
Doyle sail in excellent condition
Storm sail
Custom fir mast
Custom blocks (skeeter design)
Spare (Arrow) blocks
OE shrouds and adjustable shrouds
OE and wrapped aluminum tillers
OE and wishbone boom
Steering cables, posts and hardware for both designs
(2) sets of Sarns skates
(3) front chocks, side chock lots of hardware
Upholstered cockpit cushion
Cover
$4300 OBO
February 10, 2025: Renegade in WI
Older Renegade (sail #222) in good condition for recreational sailing. Sails, runners, mast, hull and plank in good shape, no cracks or rot. Was raced by North sails rep in Ohio 15 years ago so plank was shaved and tuned for speed, has some carbon fiber underneath it. Has full hull, plank and mast covers. Price is $3350
$2750 or best offer.
Trailer is available for additional $600.
Madison, WI area
Contact Dan at schultzd977@gmail.com for more information.
October 9, 2024: Krueger-Whitehorse Rumble-Seat Skeeter LANA in WI
LANA Paul Kruger/Ken Whitehorse rumble seat skeeter. 26′ mast.
This boat was originally Ken’s WARRIOR III. It is definitely a fast boat.
Complete boat, with sail, one set of runners, mast and boom covers.
$2200. Health issues force me to sell.
Boat can be seen in Pepin, WI
Ed Newcomb
newcomb@tcmc20.com
Text to 715-308-5024
SOLD! October 9, 2024: Mattison-Krueger Rumble-Seat Skeeter in WI – WHITEHORSES
WHITEHORSES
Mattison-/Krueger built rumble seat skeeter. Originally Ken Whitehorse’s old FAST BUCK.
Not competitive any longer but still a great boat to sail.
Complete with one set of runners, two sails, 24′ mast.
Hull, mast and boom covers. Also have a spare springboard.
If anyone is interested in both boats, I can make you a deal on both boats (WHITEHORSES & LANA) and include a
single axle trailer set-up for both.
$2200.
SOLD! December 3, 2024: Class A Skeeter in MN
SOLD! Predator A-Class Skeeter
Iceboats are sailing right now in Minnesota on Hollywood ice. A proven, highest performance iceboat and a turnkey program. Comes with two masts (28’, 26’) two rigs, five sails, full covers and one set of excellent runners, with brand new Harken runner bags.
The package also includes a fantastic trailer. Which holds the boat plus it can carry a Nite. The trailer has new tires, spare tire, new wiring, new bearing buddies.
Minnesota
Regatta Watch: 2025 ISA & Renegade Championship Tentatively Called On for Feb 14 – 16
Photo: Marcus Berghahn
The ISA Championship Regatta is tentatively on for February 14th – 16th, 2025. Multiple locations are under review including Madison WI and Lake City MN.
The final call will be made by noon on Wednesday February 12th. Check back here at that time.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
A Family Legacy on Ice: UW Student Eden Milan and the MARY B
For UW-Madison student Eden Milan, a simple connection to Madison’s frozen lakes turned into an unexpected discovery of their family’s deep ice boating history. Milan’s great-grandfather, Carl Bernard, was one of Madison’s most accomplished iceboat skippers, winning numerous championships—including nine titles aboard the legendary Mary B. Though originally from Seattle, Milan had no idea they were connected to such a significant piece of Madison’s ice boating legacy until they arrived at UW.
This past weekend at the Frozen Assets Festival, Milan had the rare opportunity to ride aboard the Mary B, experiencing firsthand the ice yacht that helped define their great-grandfather’s legacy. If you haven’t seen this historic iceboat in action yet, there’s still time to visit the Mary B set up in front of The Edgewater.
On a chilly weekday morning in February, Eden Milan pulled a pair of ice creepers over their shoes (rubber grips with small spikes at the bottom) and walked out onto the frozen Lake Mendota.
On the lake, a group of enthusiastic ice boat sailors worked to reassemble the boat Milan’s great-grandfather collected so many of his trophies with, a boat that continues to represent Madison’s history as an ice boating haven. Continue reading.
Full circle on the ice—Eden Milan rides aboard the Mary B, the same legendary iceboat her great-grandfather, Carl Bernard, once raced to victory.
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