2020 Northwest Ice Yacht Racing Association Information
March 13-15,2020
Lake Waconia, Minnesota
Regatta Watch: Northwest Tentatively Called On for Green Lake, WI Feb 13-15
Sebastion Sørensen. Photo: Rachel Bartel for @harken_inc
The NIYA Race Committee has tentatively called the Northwestern Ice Yachting Association Championship Regatta on starting Friday February 13th at Green Lake Wisconsin.
The final call will be made after an ice check on Wednesday February 10th at noon.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
NIYA
The Northwestern Ice Yachting Association regatta was first sailed in Menominee, Michigan, in 1913. Originally a Stern-Steerer regatta, it now also includes Skeeters, Renegades, and DNs.
Northwest Home Page
Iceboat Frenzy, Four Lakes Edition
Speaking of iceboat frenzy, for a little of our own Four Lakes frenzy, head down to the Edgewater this weekend (February 7 – 8). The MARY B is on display on Lake Mendota at Frozen Assets.
In The News: Iceboats Create a Frenzy
Photo: Red Bank Green
Iceboats returned to the frozen Navesink River and Red Bank, New Jersey reacted like Taylor Swift was in town. Fences were treated as optional, everyone wanted a front-row view.
Our good friends at the historic North Shrewsbury Ice Boat and Yacht Club and the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club are back racing for a Tiffany silver cup first made in 1886, while the public presses toward the ice like it’s the pit at Madison Square Garden. When iceboats appear, winter suddenly has a main event.
RED BANK: ICE BOATING “AMERICA’S CUP” ON TAP, WITH WARNINGS
By BRIAN DONOHUEStay out of the way of the ice boats. And stay off the construction site.
Those are the messages being sent by dual entities as Red Bank gets set to host the Van Nostrand Cup, an ice boat contest the NY Times in 2003 called possibly “the oldest and longest-deferred grudge match in sports history.”
For a second straight weekend, the frozen Navesink River is likely to draw not only ice boat race spectators to see it, but visitors looking to skate, frolic, or shoot selfies. Continue reading.
Regatta Watch: 2026 WSSA Postponed to Feb 14 – 15
Stern-Steerers at the 2025 Northwest- Photo by Rob Resnick
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to February 14 and 15 due to lack of wind for this weekend. The next update will be Sunday, February 8. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
Regatta Watch: NIYA Postponed to Feb 13 – 15
Photo: Rob Resnick
The NIYA is postponed one week to February 13 – 15. This upcoming weekend’s weather looks like a 1-1/2 day regatta at best or 1 day that may or may not have some am freezing rain. Next update is Sunday, February 8.
Steve Schalk
NIYA Secretary/Treasurer
ISA Wrap Up: ISA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk
2026 Renegade Championship Regatta winner, Mike Derusha, on Green Lake in WI. Photo: Will Johnston
We have gotten another great ISA Championship Regatta in the books, with racing in winds all across the range and temperatures from damn cold to pretty normal. We raced right up to the time limit, starting the last Nite race at 12:58 pm. This is only the third time since the expanded race schedule was voted in that we exceeded 6 races in the regatta, with the Nites and Renegades finishing 7 each.
I would like to thank all of the race committee who traded off jobs and made it possible for each other to race their boats, and keep everything moving at normal pace.
I also need to thank the Four Lakes Ice Yacht club for the use of their machine and trailer. It would not have worked without that help. Pat Heppert as well, who did a crack of dawn set up of our marks on Friday and Saturday for us. And Dave Navin who set the Sunday long course. Thanks to Deb and Nina for the Sunday scoring, and help picking up the marks at the end of the day.
Behind the on the ice scenes, Mary Jane was on the PC crunching the numbers and posting it on line in real time. (as long as we sent pictures of the score sheets.)
A final big thank you to the Green Lake Ice Yacht Club, Julie Jankowski and Deb Bierman for the Friday night hospitality event at the Heidel House, Maureen Bohleber for her assistance starting races and providing our emergency medical support, and Todd Morgan for ice checking and all manner of assistance.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
February 4, 2026: DN Plank in Montreal
Kardasz (Polish) DN plank
Deflection 46 mm at 195 lbs
Used 3 events and less than 10 training days
2023 (both chocks and plank)
Alignment is perfect, no need to shim runners (if they are also perfect ! 🙂
It includes new Northwind double stud attachment plates if you need them.
Plank cover included.
Montreal area
$1000 USD
KC5508
n.mabboux@gmail.com
2026 ISA Regatta — Final Day Report
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.
February 3, 2026: DN in PA
Sherry Hull
2 Composite masts for 200# skipper
3 planks for 200# skipper
set of Kent chocks with carbon stiffeners
set of Struble Chocks
Forsmann boom
set 3/16″ Sherry inserts with internal stiffeners
set 1/4″ 316 SS Snow plates (built by Steve D @ Northwind iceboats
runner box
full set covers
2 sets shrouds
cache of small parts
set North Sails (F01, ABSS, MS1, storm)
Diebold practice sail
old wood slush runners (steel)
$4750
Located near Pittsburgh, PA
contact Ben Shaevitz
basmoss1@hotmail.com
2026 Will Johnston ISA Photo Gallery
Nick Vandervelde 564 and John Weiss 552 on Green Lake at the 2026 ISA. Photo: Will Johnston
RESULTS
Will Johnston is one of those photographers who always makes an effort to find us. He was out on Saturday during the light-air day and came away with some fine images. Sailors study these photos closely, how the boats sit, and what the rigs are doing. There’s real data in them. I’m sharing one here and linking to Will’s full gallery. (Please credit Will if you use any of his photos.) Thanks, Will. LINK TO WILL JOHNSTON GALLERY
2026 Jim Stevenson ISA Aerial Photo Gallery
RESULTS
One of the pleasures of sailing in Wisconsin is our friends in the air. Aviators who track us down, land nearby, talk boats with fellow aviator and 4LIYC Jeff Russell, then head back up with cameras. Saturday delivered beautiful light conditions (and light-air) at the ISA and DN US Nationals regattas. Thanks to Jim Stevenson for taking these photos and sharing them.
Regatta Watch: WSSA Tentatively Called ON for Green Lake Feb 7 – 8 @ Green Lake
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta for 2026 has been tentatively called on for February 7 and 8. The site selected is Green Lake. Final confirmation will be made by 1 PM Thursday, February 5. Check back here after that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association has scheduled their regatta for the same weekend and place, that regatta takes precedence.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
In The News: “Ice boats speed across frozen Navesink, Shrewsbury and Toms Rivers”
What a weekend for ice sailing! Good to see our friends from the east coast back on the ice. See more here. LINK
Stand by for 2026 ISA galleries, awards, and report.
SOLD! November 16, 2025: DN & Renegade Components in RI
DN equipment for sale:
North MP excellent condition $600
North/Boston FO1 Brand new never used-$800
New and lightly used ID sails avalible
Sherry clone fuselage $1800
Plank w/ chocks- $300
MBC All Carbon mast-$2500
MBC Hybrid mast-$2300
Other parts and pieces
Renegade equipment off Blade Runner #500-
Runners, sails, mast, boom, plank, springboard shrouds, extra hardware, parts and pieces all off R-500 Blade Runner. Send a note and we can figure it out.
Located in RI with delivery west possible.
Regatta Watch: 2026 Northwest & Nite Nationals Called Tentatively Called on For Green Lake FEB 6 – 8
Renegade sailor Ron Rosten at the 2026 Renegade Championship on Green Lake. Photo: Will Johnston
Received word from NIYA Secretary Steve Schalk as we left the ice today that the 2026 Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta is tentatively called on for Green Lake, Wisconsin, FEBRUARY 6–8.
The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta was first sailed in 1913 as a Stern steerer event and remains one today, with Stern Steerers at its core and the addition of A, B, and C Skeeters, Renegades, and the DN class.
NIYA home page: LINK
The Nite Nationals are tentatively called on, also at Green Lake.
Final confirmation for both events will be posted Wednesday, February 4.
Nite-specific details are available on the Nite website. LINK
Green Lake has strong ice and clean sailing right now. These windows do not last. If you want good conditions, this is the moment to use them.
More photos and reports from the DN North Americans and the ISA are coming tomorrow.
International Skeeter Association & Renegade Nationals Regatta Update
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.
Regatta Watch: WSSA Postponed (& the Pirate Boat)
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to February 7 and 8, 2026. The next update will be Sunday, February 1. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
Speaking of stern-steerers, Lake Winnebago stern-steerer sailor George Gerhardt shared the above photos a couple of weeks ago. I asked Andy to explain exactly what are we looking at:
Sorry for the delay, I was at my brother’s in Costa Rica for a week. It’s very bad iceboating there, I wouldn’t recommend trying.
Years ago when I first saw the Pirate Boat, as George calls it, I noticed the reefing points at the top of the sail. I have never seen a reef like that. All the other reef points I have seen for gaff rigs have been for taking in sail at the foot. This is the first time I have seen the Pirate Boat reefed and it is interesting. I wonder if the reef points also allow the upper portion of the sail to fly by rolling up the sail from the reef points down. That would show just the gaff area, even less sail than exposed here. I can see an advantage with the area shown in the photo – there is a lot of sail area remaining down low, which will produce a lot of force to get through rough ice and deeper snow yet not creating a lot of heeling moment to cause a capsize like Jay’s boat “Frosty’ shown below. The reefed sail isn’t a rig that will produce high speeds as it creates a lot of drag, but it will allow sailing more often due to the power.
I have plans to make the original Fritz backbone into a 38′ gaffer. I don’t need it to go fast, it will go fast enough for me, I just want to be able to sail more often.
Andy
Woops!
ISA Regatta on for Green Lake WI Starting January 30th
Photo: Jann Klin
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
NIYA REGATTA Postponed one week to February 6th, 7th and 8th
ACE OF SPADES & LITTLE WIND line up to race.
The NIYA race committee has postponed the Championship regatta for a week to get for sure drive on conditions at the most likely site.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
Northwestern Ice Yachting Association
SOLD! January 25, 2026: Double-Seat Iceboat in WI
SOLD! Double-seat wood skeeter hull
Excellent condition, no issues, very light
Similar in form to a modern Nite
$375
Pewaukee area
Mast, runner plank, and other parts might be available
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