2020 Northwest Ice Yacht Racing Association Information
March 13-15,2020
Lake Waconia, Minnesota
New Years’ Greetings to the Ice Sailing Community
Meet DORLA
1922 Madison Winter Carnival on Lake Monona. Photo courtesy Marv Luck.
The 1922 photo above is difficult to write about because there is so much history captured at that moment. Pictures like this can send one down a never-ending rabbit hole of history. It’s tough to stick to one topic when there are so many presented in this photo, such as Madison’s history, the history of each boat and skipper, and the differences between the Hudson River and Madison styles of Stern-Steerer. For this post, I’ll try to stick to the subject of DORLA.
A 4LIYC Facebook member in Madison recently asked about the Stern-Steerer DORLA because her family had a connection to the boat. Marv Luck of Oshkosh, who knows the big ships’ history better than anyone, noticed the request and handed me a couple of 8 x 10 photos of DORLA last weekend at the Puckaway Nite and Renegade regatta.
DORLA was owned initially by Henry Meyer of Pewaukee, WI. I’m not sure who built DORLA, but I would guess John Buckstaff of Oshkosh, WI. (Marv can correct me if I’m wrong.) The Meyer family was heavily involved in ice sailing in the first half of the 20th century, and Henry served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Northwest for several years.
The newspaper reports about the 1922 Madison Winter Carnival don’t mention DORLA, but that’s undoubtedly her in the photo because the picture came from the Meyer family. The Capital Times reported on February 3, 1922, “…to make the ice boat races a feature of the Carnival, the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club has received acceptances of a challenge from the Ice Yacht Clubs at Pewaukee, Oconomowoc and Oshkosh. Several Hudson River types of ice boats will be in the fleet of boats from Pewaukee and Oconomowoc. Suitable trophies consisting of cups and pennants will be awarded the three winning boats: in three different classes.”
Henry Meyer and DORLA won three Class A Stern-Steerer titles in the Northwest Regatta in 1928, 1930, and 1931 and the Hearst Trophy in 1931 and 1932. I have found no mention of DORLA until 1947.
In 1947, DORLA appeared again in a Wisconsin State Journal report about the Northwest. She had become part of the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club Stern-Steerer fleet and was owned by O. T. Havey and sailed by Phil Oetking. In 1948, the same newspaper reported that Havey’s boat had placed second in the Northwest regatta under a new name ELECTRA. Of course, Havey gained fame as the man who commissioned the MARY B Class A Stern Steerer. In 1956, the boat was called DORLA again with a new owner, 4LIYC member Johnny Adams.
DORLA might have ended up with the same fate as so many old Stern-Steerers, quietly decaying in a barn until put on a burn pile by people who had no idea of her regatta titles and rich history.
That Sinking Feeling
Lake Monona looking southerly at sunrise on December 29, 2020.
Behold Lake Monona’s beautiful freeze this morning, just in time for 6-9″ of snow this afternoon. If we are lucky, the weight of the snow will sink the ice. Stay tuned.
Lake Monona looking northerly on December 29, 2020.
Nite Recap
Via Nite Treasurer Maureen Bohlehber:
Nite Holiday Regatta
December 26 – 27, 2020
With a total of 19 boats over the weekend on ice that was as Hollywood as you can get, the Nites completed 13 races on Lake Puckaway in central Wisconsin, a great early season iceboating venue. The Nites competed for a Saturday, Sunday, and overall series.
The ice was so smooth you could not even hear your runners glide over the ice. These are the perfect conditions for ice boaters, hence the name “Hollywood Ice.”
With a large fleet in attendance, the competition was close. The 2020 Nite National champion, Chad Rechygl of Pewaukee Wisconsin, and Mike Jankowski of Green Lake Wisconsin battled it out throughout the weekend for the overall top spot. Split-scoring the event by days allowed sailors to try different settings and tactics. As they say, everybody has a favorite condition. Jim McCabe was the hot sailor of the weekend, cracking the top three on both days. Another local favorite, Byron Hill, also placed consistently in the top three. Chad Rechygl took first, Mike Jankowski second, and the Vandervelde brothers in the next two spots in the overall standings.
We were happy to see a strong showing of sailors from Lake Kegonsa and the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club as well, with Lars, Henri, Brad, and Don in attendance. They sailed fast and showed a considerable step in improvement from last year’s event. We were also lucky to have Daniel Hearn join in the racing and experience the close roundings and the back and forth position changes that make Nite racing unique and fun.
It was interesting to watch from the Race Committee view, learning from Deb Whitehorse, John Hayashi, and George Gerhardt. While Saturday’s course was more straightforward, the Race Committee had to chase the wind and change the track. When the wind settled in, the Nites sailed six races before the snow started to fly.
It was a memorable weekend of Nite racing. It was ICE COLD FUN!
With a total of 19 boats over the weekend on ice that was as Hollywood as you can get, the Nites completed 13 races on Lake Puckaway in central Wisconsin, a great early season iceboating venue. The Nites competed for a Saturday, Sunday, and overall series.
A Mesmerizing Iceboat Ride
Ride along with Chad Rechygl in race 10 at Sunday’s Nite regatta on Lake Puckaway:
Come join me for a ride during a race win. Not sure what I was doing to get in the boat, that was a new move lol. Sorry the camera shook loose and started pointing up.. enjoy the black ice!
Renegade Recap
Joe Norton waits as the Renegades line up to race.
On Sunday morning, the Nites sailed one race as the Renegades waited, but the wind shifted, and the course had to be changed. The Renegade fleet decided to call their regatta complete because they weren’t sure if there was enough time to move and scout the new course for hazards before the snow came. The snow held off, the Nites banged off five more races and had a spectacular day.
Don Anderson 5th, Daniel Hearn 4th, Andy Gratton 3rd, Jim Gluek 1st, and Ron Sherry 2nd.
SOLD! December 7, 2020: DN in WI
SOLD! Race-ready US DN 5397
Hull custom built for 145-lb skipper at Nordhaus Boatwerks in 2007.
Restored, refinished hull and new tiller courtesy Team Minnesota in 2019.
Three Ron Sherry insert runners (two 3/16″ sides and low profile steering).
Bob Rast “Twizzler” mast and mast bag.
Dariusz Kardas masthound
Stays and bag
Baltic birch and ash plank
Dave’s Machining chocks
Forstmann boom
Braided sheet
Harken adjustable blocks
North Sails F01 and bag
Boat cover, ice screw, setup hardware, sharpening stones.
Madison, WI
$4,000
Photo credit: cefirmbach.com
Photo credit: gretchendorian.com
Fly By Nite
Nite iceboats on Lake Puckaway, December 26, 2020. Photos: Jim Stevenson.
As the saying goes, it’s who you know. Ice sailors have become accustomed to seeing 4LIYC Renegader Jeff Russell pull up on the ice in his bright yellow Piper Cub. Jeff opted for blades on the ice at this weekend’s Renegade Championship and Nite regatta. Luckily, his fellow flyer Jim Stevenson arrived and took these spectacular aerial shots of the Nite Class on Saturday.
The Nites sailed 6 more races on Sunday. Results here.
SOLD! December 21, 2020: DN in MN
SOLD! DN
All parts included, sail, runners, etc. All parts in good sailing condition.
Will need a coat of paint in the future. Ready for the season! Downsizing, have too many iceboats.
$650 OBO
Wayzata, MN
SOLD! January 29, 2020: Vintage Skeeter
SOLD!
The DOUBLER
Boat is a 1930’s, 2 seater, completely refurbished at Nordhaus Boat Werks.
Boat has hand and foot steering, car paint, complete covers, lifter, stands, runner box and a galvanized trailer.
Madison, WI.
$4,950
$4,000
Renegade Nationals – Nite Holiday Series Update
Arrowheads: The Nite fleet readies to race on Lake Puckaway, Saturday, December 26, 2020. Photo by Jim Stevenson. Instagram: js170b.
I have time for a quick update before heading back to Lake Puckaway for day 2 of the 2020 Renegade Championship and Nite Holiday Series.
One of the highlights for me was scoring the third Renegade race when two familiar boats rounded first and second on the first lap and continued to battle for the remaining four laps. Ron Sherry was sailing Mike Ripp’s blue Renegade, and Mike was sailing his father, Jack’s red Renegade. Mike said that “Jack was sailing the boat” in that race. I will have more video and photos on Monday.
2020 Nite Holiday Series Called ON
Via Nite Class Commodore John Hayashi:
The Nite class will be sailing out of Apuckwaka Park on the North shore of Lake Puckaway. The event starts on Saturday 12/26 with the flag dropping at 9 AM. You must be a Nite class member to participate. We will be following the Nite class protocols regarding COVID safe events listed on our class website www.niteiceboats.org. Further updates will be posted on our class website and also Facebook page.
The ice has been walked and scouted and will be further scouted and sailed Christmas morning. We are currently recording 4 inches of ice. The conditions look excellent.
Black lines are very small working seams, they have small gaps with thinner ice and possible water gaps. The circle is a very small patch of rougher ice that can be sailed just a little more bumps to it. We will sail right off the landing.
Regatta Watch: 2020 Renegade Championship Called ON
The 2020 Renegade Championship has been Called ON for Puckaway Lake near Princeton, WI for December 26-27, 2020. The Renegade Championship will join with the Nite class for their Holiday Series. This post will be updated with Sailing Instructions and more information as we receive it.
ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION:
Online registration is MANDATORY. You will not be able to pay using cash or check at the sailing site.
Launch:
Apackwaka Park on Puckaway Lake, Montello, WI.
Do not drive on the ice! Please save the landings as well.
Black lines are very small working seams, they have small gaps with thinner ice and possible water gaps. The circle is a very small patch of rougher ice that can be sailed just a little more bumps to it. We will sail right off the landing.
Ice Report: The lake was walked, drilled, and measured by Nite Commodore John Hayashi today December 24, 2020. He found 4″ of ice everywhere with some areas thicker. See the map above for working seams.
SAILING INSTRUCTIONSSchedule of Events:
Saturday, December 26, 2020
8:30 AM: Skippers Meeting
9:00 AM: First Nite Race
10:00 AM First Renegade Race
Renegade By Laws specify 3 races for Saturday.
Sunday, December 27, 2020
9:00 AM First Nite Race
9:30 AM First Renegade Race
Attention Renegaders
Lake Puckaway, Thursday morning, December 24, 2020.
Attention Renegade sailors: Stand by and sharpen your runners.
Previous: 2020 Renegade Championship Called On
Think Christmas Ice!
Faithful Friends on Monotypes
For your listening pleasure, a 1983 Russian music video with Monotype Stern-Steerers and DNs. This video has grown on me since first seeing it on Facebook yesterday. The innocence and goofiness of it seem appropriate now.
The song is VIA ′′ Faithful Friends ′′ – Blue Song (Blue Inay)” and the translation describing it reads, “In the 80s, there is a boom of Sailing in the USSR, the mass construction of sailing yachts, monotype buers, DN, sports clubs at factories buy match, yacht clubs open, popularization is huge.”
Class A Skeeter Fleet News
Minnesota sailors Rob Evans (standing) and Alex Peterson picked up Jim Gluek’s MERLIN Class A Skeeter from Wisconsin yesterday. Welcome to the fleet!
SOLD! April 11, 2020: Class A Skeeter in Wisconsin
SOLD! Class A Skeeter built by Dan Clapp. Full size ready to race. Has everything you need. 2 mast 2 booms 6 sails 5 sets of runners. Must sell and will entertain offers.
SOLD! November 5, 2020: 2 DNs in MI
SOLD!
2 DNs
2 Older DN ice boats in good condition.
(1) Traditional and (1) Banjo.
Newer Sails, 2 sets of runners (Insert & Plate) for both boats, wood masts and booms. Sarns hardware.
Ready to go with 4 year old custom, all aluminum trailer for hauling and storage. Lightweight enough to roll out on the ice.
Blue boat $1,800
Green boat $1200
Trailer not available until both boats are sold then ($3000) or $4900 for the whole package.
Traverse City, MI
Spaight St. Syndicate Update: Chicks Dig It
Via Daniel Hearn:
Chicks Dig It
Not a PC headline, but what can you expect from a sport dominated by old white dudes with hair growing out of their ears. Long past time to change our demographics.
Meet Erin Bury. She’s the size of a gymnast with a personality as big as the Deuce. Still in her twenties, she calls the Twin Cities home. She showed up on the catamaran racing circuit last summer with another Gopher and thought ice sailing sounded rad, when she heard us talking about it.
Last weekend, she stepped off a plane from Hawaii jet-lagged, took a quick cat nap, and headed to Lake Christina where she knew we were going to be. After checking out the boats big and small, she was convinced this sport was her kind of thing. Erin also brought her boyfriend, Dave. He’s cool. He brought his dirt bike with studded tires. He even let a couple of old dudes ride it, chiding us to lay it down like we mean it. He’s young and invincible. We know better. Sort of.
Also joining us from the Twin Cities for some tiller time was another cat sailor, Gretchen Wilbrandt. Gretchen’s first DN experience was the World Championships two years ago when she casually mentioned that ice sailing sounded like fun. Another first-timer, Renee Fields, also flew in from Arizona for the Worlds. First time…world championships…no big deal. Chicks rock!
Anyway, back to Erin. This weekend, she and Dave met us at Lake Altoona. Erin was itching to give it a go. Wind was light, but so is Erin, so with a little boost from a powered kick sled, she was up and going. (Side note: We discovered that the sleds are great coaching tools, too. My brother Brian sat on the seat, while I drove. He could easily get Erin started with his foot on the stern, and we both were right there for instructions). Next weekend, Erin will be meeting us on Lake Puckaway, if the weather cooperates for that regatta. Who knows…maybe she’ll be an iceboat owner by then.
Thanks to our friends Tim Mower and Bill Ecklund for inviting us to come and sail with them. And it was great to meet other locals, Dan, Dan and Rolf. Hope to sail with you again sometime.
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