2020 Northwest Ice Yacht Racing Association Information
March 13-15,2020
Lake Waconia, Minnesota
SOLD! February 18, 2022: DN Gear in WI
Ice Sailors Extend the Season on Dirt
Congratulations to several of our 4LIYC members for their podium finishes at the 2022 Blokart North American Championship sailed at Ivanpah, Nevada.
From left, Wayne Schmiedlin 2nd Performance Heavy, Aiden Schmiedlin 1st Performance Light (6 overall), Gary Nordhaus 2nd Production Light, Jim Nordhaus 2nd Performance Super (2nd overall), Geoff Sobering 1st Performance Super (1st overall), Lars Barber 2nd Performance Middle, and Brad Wagner 3rd Performance Super (5th overall.)
Even after several years working Race Committee for the North American Blokart Association at the cathedral of land sailing in Ivanpah, Nevada, I find more similarities than differences between ice sailing and land sailing.
I assumed that, unlike ice sailors, dirt sailors had an unlimited supply of venues for sailing. It turns out that land sailors have to monitor surface conditions almost as closely as ice checkers. Dirt just aint dirt, and not all playas are sailable. Just like we search for black ice, they hunt for smooth playas.
Ice sailors dread shell ice while dirt sailors pay attention to rain showers, leaving a bumpy, rutted surface. If a playa dries too quickly, the surface can “cup,” resulting in a rough track. The week before the Blokart NAs, a substantial rain had fallen at Ivanpah, changing the dry lake into an actual wet lake. The surface dried out at the optimal rate, and the rain Zambonied the lumps and bumps, leaving an excellent racing track.
During sturgeon spearing season, fishing clubs plot Lake Winnebago with wooden stakes for vehicle control, but these go away. On some playas, wooden claim stakes are popping up placed by speculators hoping to strike it big in lithium mining.
Ivanpah is unique because the Bureau of Land Management has specifically designated it as an area for “wind sailing.” If you ever get the chance to attend a land sailing regatta at Ivanpah, you won’t regret the experience.
Confusion Reigns
“Not sure what boat season it is.”
Daniel Hearn sends word from the Spaight Street Syndicate that he’s unsure what boat season it is. Minnesota’s Dirk Siems sailed his DN on a sunny April day on Otter Tail Lake yesterday in what has to be some sort of late record for Minnesota DN sailing. 4LIYC sailors are returning from Ivanpah, Nevada, with some trophy hardware awarded during the Blokart dirt-sailing event. (More on that tomorrow.) No wonder we are all confused!
Dirk Siems usually finds the first ice for the Western Challenge in MN and now he’s on the hunt for the last ice of the season. He sailed on Otter Tail Lake yesterday, April 9, 2022.
Geoff Sobering won the overall and his division at the 2022 Blokart North American regatta at Ivanpah, Nevada.
SOLD! December 1, 2021: DN in NJ
SOLD! DN in Red Bank, N.J. area (Monmouth County). Complete boat ready to go.
Kenyon Aluminum Mast and Boom
Sail in good shape #1113
Mast and sail/Boom bags
Recent restoration. Very good shape
2 sets of runners
Some racing. Mainly used for cruising
Includes cover for boat
$2,000
SOLD! October 8, 2021: Vintage Skeeter in Maine
SOLD! Ray Ruge designed A Skeeter. Built by Hagarty in the early 60’s. Owned briefly by Buddy Melges and carries his sail number. Square top added to sail, new steering, and stem block. New hollow plank built to the same section as the fuselage. Sails fast and balanced. These boats were built in limited production and this is the only known sample still sailing. New enclosed trailer. Runners sharpened and aligned.
Photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnarey/albums/72157714158938948
In Maine.
$5200.00.
$3500
SOLD! November 1, 2022: DN in MI
SOLD! Gold Fleet DN Package
- Clear epoxy coated hull with carbon twist lock breakaway tiller. Custom aluminum billet steering post. Custom billet aluminum front chock with internal spring, carbon steering connection rod, billet aluminum custom mast step with titanium ball, harken block track and breakaway plank mounting system.
- Latest design C2 balsa core plank with Stubble Chocks, tuned for 170-200 pound sailor, new 2021.
- Latest design C2 prepreg carbon mast with high strength internal hound and custom low profile billet aluminum needle bearing mast foot, new 2020.
- Forstman boom with Harken blocks, two ratchet blocks and braided mainsheet.
- Dieform stays with staymasters and titanium spreader bar, new 2021.
- Ulman FO1, and ABSS sails including alternate stiffness battens
- Three sets of runners with Harken bags and pelican transport case. Runners are all 440C made by Ron Sherry. Package includes 9 runners. 3/16 x90 Insert Set, Slipper Set, and Plate Set.
- Includes pit horses, Harken on-ice cover, ice anchor, and one tool box full of DN tools and miscellaneous spare parts.
- Location: Lapeer Michigan, shipping/delivery not included
- $10,000 firm
Nites Getting It Done in Gladstone
Photo and caption via the Nite Class Facebook Page: “It’s Official!!!! We have the 2022 Nite Nationals In! Jim Gluek with 2 first and Tom Sweitzer to make it official.”
The Nites were no April Fools as they successfully pulled off day one of their Nationals at Gladstone, Michigan. Today’s latest news gleaned from their Facebook page looks like they are enjoying a spring day on the ice, waiting for the wind.
Regatta Watch: 22 Nite Nationals ON for Escanaba, MI April 1-3
2015 ISA Regatta at Escanaba, MI Photo: Gretchen Dorian
They are going to do it! Will have to look in the records, but this could be the first Nite Nationals ever held in April. Good luck to the Nite sailors!
Nite Nationals is Officially Called On for April 1-3, 2022 in Escanaba/Gladstone, Upper Michigan.
3-day event April 1-3, 2022
Register: https://theclubspot.com/regatta/ARCBDteChy
Must be a member to register: https://theclubspot.com/renew-interstitial/oFVGl1wW09See Nite website for full information.
Sail Safe, Sail Fast,
Commodore Chad Rechcygl #322
Vice Commodore Maureen Bohleber #497
Secretary Brian Nies #351
Treasury Lars Barber #534
Tech Mike Peters #544
“Winter in Wisconsin – a Place Like No Other”
Mother Nature came through for us this year on Lake Monona. Videographers Sam Li and Ian Tunney were there to help change minds about winter by including the sport in his latest production. Watch it here.
Sam Li
To all the people who love winter, here’s the film for you. To all the people who hate winter, I hope this changes your mind.
Regatta Watch – No Joke!: Nite Nats Called ON for Escanaba April 1-3
Nite Nationals Tentatively On for April 1-3, 2022 in Escanaba (Upper Mi)
This is no April fools joke… Iceboating in April! The epic weekend definitely could happen. The weather looks good and the ice is there! We had multiple boats sailing up on the Little Bay de Noc in Escanaba, MI. Just a heads up, it is Eastern time up there so plan accordingly. Final call by Wednesday 9 PM. Make sure you are a member of INCA.
Sail Safe, Sail Fast,
Commodore Chad Rechcygl #322
Vice Commodore Maureen Bohleber #497
Secretary Brian Nies #351
Treasury Lars Barber #534
Tech Mike Peters #544
SOLD! November 2, 2021: Skeeter in IL
SOLD! Former “Honey Bucket” Class A Skeeter number 5, built in 1980. Last all wood boat built. Excellent condition, with trailer and extra sidecar passenger seat included. $4500.00.L
Mark Your Calendars for April 16 4LIYC Banquet!
Andy McCormick on home ice, Lake Monona. Photo: Kenton Fowler
After a two year pause, we are pleased to announce that our annual spring awards banquet has been scheduled for April 16, 2022 at the Breakwater Restaurant in Monona, WI. Menu selections are in the works. Please save the date and stand by for further details.
Regatta Watch: Nite Nationals Postponed – But Willing To Try in April!
Nites rounding the mark at the 2022 ISA Regatta on Lake Monona. Photo: Will Johnston
The Nites win the race of being the most optimistic class of the season! They are still hanging in there with the hopes of holding their 2022 Nationals and need to hear from their class members.
Nite Class Website
We have once again postponed the Nationals. The Nite Board is willing to give it one more try and it wouldn’t it be EPIC to have a Nite Nationals in April? The past couple of days have put a strain on our landing but next week’s forecast does look promising with lows all the way down to the low twenties and possibly lower, which we hope will firm it up, safety first. The Terrace Bay Hotel is ready and waiting for us. Now we just need the weather to cooperate. If you are interested in participating in the possible EPIC event please respond so we can get an idea if we should move forward.
Thank you from the Nite Board of Directors
Chad Rechcygl – Commodore
Maureen Bohleber – Vice Commodore
Lars Barber – Treasurer
Brian Nies – Secretary
Mike Peters – Technical Advisor
SOLD! February 16, 2022: DN in MI
SOLD! DN Good shape. Sails very well. Set up with all quick release pins and nuts tacked to runner chalks for easy set up. Includes sail cover, hull cover, stands and runner box.
$1,000 
Regatta Watch: Nite Nationals Tentatively Called On for March 25-27
Nite Nationals tentatively called on for March 25-27. We are giving it one last chance and Escanaba, Michigan could be the place.
We will call it by noon on Wednesday March 23, 2022.Sail Safe, Sail Fast,
Commodore Chad Rechcygl #322
Regatta Watch: WSSA Cancelled for 2022
HAYWIRE with Clay, Jason, and Jay Yaeso
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association annual regatta for 2022 has been cancelled due to lack of cooperation on the part of Mother Nature. Our last hope was Escanaba but a large amount of rain and snow is forecast for this week with potential for more rain next week. We will need a barge to get to the ice. Work on your boats this summer and check back late December 2022 for 2023 regatta info.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/treasurer
Regatta Watch: 2022 Northwest Cancelled
Stern Steerers line up to race
The Northwestern Ice Yachting Regatta is cancelled for 2022. We have no viable locations left.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasure NIYA
4LIYC: The Final Scores
Daniel Hearn’s C Skeeter flies by a Renegade at the 2022 ISA championship on Lake Monona. Photo: Will Johnston
March brought the Fat Lady’s warmth and rain, signifying the close of the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club racing season. Lake Monona provided some exceptional conditions this season, and it was reassuring to be back on home ice. After a two-year pandemic hiatus, we are looking forward to resuming our annual spring trophy awards banquet in April. All the pieces are falling in place, Tim McCormick has tabulated the scores, and our trophy chair, Damien Luyet, will be organizing the hardware. We’ll have more banquet news coming soon.
HWS Update: Try Again in 2023
Photo: Pat Heppert
Ice Sailors:
With regret, we must announce that the Hard Water Summit will not be happening this year. Mother Nature decided she wanted an extended period of warm days, lots of sunshine and nights barely below freezing. The snow is, indeed, gone, but this weather pattern is leaving us with lots of slush that will likely only get deeper.
We appreciate your enthusiasm for this adventure and we may decide to give it a go again next year. We’ll have to consider whether doing the event in the same season as a DN Gold Cup in the US makes sense. If you have any input on this question, we’d love to hear it. montana.icesail@gmail.com From a timing standpoint, we may also move up our target week to the first week of March. This would steer us clear of any conflict with land sailing events and possibly increase the likelihood that we’d have the ice and weather we need. Again, feel free to let us know what you think.
Of course we are a bit disappointed, but then again, we are blessed to not be hiding from Russian artillery as we go about our daily lives. Keep the Faith!
Your HWS Team,
Daniel, Sean and Deb
4LIYC Meeting Reminder for March 16, 2022
What a season!
Please join us tonight for the last meeting of this season. We will resume meetings in November 2022. We will be meeting via Zoom only and not in-person.
WHAT TO KNOW:
Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Time: 6:30 PM CT
ZOOM MEETING ONLY (No in-person meeting this week.)
Didn’t get an email with a link? Get in touch with Deb. debwhitehorse@iceboat.org
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