International Skeeter Association Regatta
The International Skeeter Association (ISA) was organized in the late 1930s and the first ISA regatta was sailed in 1940. Skeeters were developed on Geneva Lake in Wisconsin. They are piloted by a single skipper and steer from the front of the boat as opposed to the original iceboats which were crewed by two or more and steered from the rear.
The Skeeter is the “Formula One” of ice yachting, a wide open development class where state-of-the-art sailing is seen annually. The only restriction on the Skeeter builder is a 75 square foot sail maximum sail area. While the basic configuration for successful E Skeeters has long been established, significant design improvements have been developed within the Four Lakes fleet. Taller rigs and rear seat Skeeters designed and built by 4LIYC members Bill Mattison and Paul Krueger have brought world championship titles to Madison skippers. In 1989, New Jersey’s Dan Clapp took the ice boating world by storm with his first front-seater and dominated the ISA regatta during the 1990s. Skeeter builders are adept with high tech materials like carbon fiber, and Kevlar. The super powerful Skeeters are the fastest boats on the ice. Sufficiently committed skippers find the greatest challenge in these boats, where design, building, and maintenance skills share equal roles with sailing ability
INTERNATIONAL SKEETER ASSOCIATION DUES NOTICE
NEW! Pay your ISA dues online here.
Or pay through the U.S. Mail: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND PRINT AN ISA MEMBERSHIP FORM
President Jason Thompson
jsthompsdds@hotmail.com
Vice President Pat Heppert
Pat.T.Heppert@saint-gobain.com
Secretary/Treas. Steve Schalk
W6001 Brick Church Rd
Fontana, WI 53125
262-275-2871
I564@charter.net
The annual dues are $25.00 for the 2023-2023 season, payable to:
International Skeeter Association
Steve Schalk, W6001 Brick Church RD, Fontana, WI 53125
December 1st, 2023 is the deadline for new items to be placed on the 2024 agenda.
January 12, 13, & 14, 2023 (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday) is the first scheduled weekend for the 2024 Regatta.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
Regatta Watch: 2026 ISA & Renegade Championship Postponed to Jan 30-Feb 1
The ISA Race Committee has postponed the Championship Regatta one week to January 30th though February 1st. There is no suitable sailing area available and the temperatures for the originally scheduled days are well below minimum requirements. Next update January 25.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
Regatta Watch: 2026 ISA Postponed to Jan 23-25
Photo: Will Johnston
…and the second domino falls.
The ISA race committee after reviewing the morning ice check and the upcoming weather forecasts has decided to postpone the 2026 ISA one week to January 23-25. The surface of Lake Kegonsa roughened up in the flash freeze last night after the very warm temperatures. The NOAA forecast has visibility-blocking snow showers on both Friday and Saturday, and all forecasts rule out Sunday as never getting to minimum temperatures. The Committee believes there is time to wait for better conditions. The next update will be Sunday evening, January 18 following the 7 pm conference call.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
Regatta Logic, Explained
Wondering how can three things be true at the same time, three regattas (the Northwest, ISA, and Nite Nationals) tentatively called on for the same weekend?
For January 16–18, all three are in play and they are connected. Multiple fleets are trying to do the right thing without stepping on each other.
Here’s the flow-chart version, in words.
Step 1: Look North
The Northwest Ice Yachting Association Regatta is tentatively on for Lake Winnebago at Fond du Lac, starting Friday, January 16.
Classes sailing at the Northwest include DN, Renegade, Stern Steerer A, B, C, and D, and A, B, and C Skeeters.
The final call will be made by noon on Wednesday, January 14, after ice and forecast checks.
This is the first domino.
Step 2: If the Northwest Is ON
NIYA sails in Fond du Lac.
The International Skeeter Association does not sail on Lake Kegonsa.
The Nite Nationals continue watching Kegonsa to determine whether Nationals conditions exist.
Step 3: If the Northwest Is OFF
Everything shifts south.
The International Skeeter Association Regatta is tentatively on for Lake Kegonsa, but only if the Northwest is postponed.
ISA racing includes A, B, and C Skeeters, Nites, and Renegade classes.
The NIYA decision is announced at 11:00 am Wednesday.
The ISA decision follows at 11:30 am.
By noon Wednesday, it will be clear whether the ISA is on and where.
Step 4: The Nite Nationals Decision
Nite Nationals are tentatively scheduled for January 16–18 on Lake Kegonsa, for either two or three days.
This is the National Championship for the Nite class.
If the ISA is officially called on, the ISA regatta takes precedence.
The Nite Board will provide updates after 3:30 pm Wednesday, with a final decision by early evening, based on ice conditions.
In plain English:
Wednesday is everything.
The Northwest decides first.
ISA reacts to the Northwest.
The Nite fleet watches Kegonsa and defers to ISA if needed.
By Wednesday night, the picture should be clear.
Regatta Watch: 2026 ISA Tentatively Called ON for Lake Kegonsa Jan 16-18
International Skeeter Association Home
The 2026 International Skeeter Association Regatta is tentatively called on for Lake Kegonsa for Friday January 16th, but only if the Northwestern Regatta at Fond Du Lac is postponed on Wednesday the 14th.
The final call on Wednesday for the NIYA is being held at 11 am and the ISA at 11:30 am, so by noon Wednesday the 14th, the call will be made as to which Regatta is on and where.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
Regatta Watch: ISA & Renegade Championship Postponed to Jan 16-18
Photo: Rob Resnick Revelations of Design
The 2026 ISA Regatta and Renegade Championship are postponed one week to January 16-18. 2026.
There is no suitable ice available for a Championship regatta for January 9th.
The next scheduled weekend is concurrent with the first possible date for the Northwestern Ice Yachting Championship. If the Northwest is held on those dates, the ISA will be postponed. Next update is January 11, 2026.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
Unofficial Eye Opener and New Year’s Speed on Lake Kegonsa
LINK TO VIDEO
Lake Kegonsa has seen serious traffic this week.
Skeeters or DNs, no matter what, alignment is key.
Multiple DN World Champion Matt Struble arrived Monday to get acquainted with his new Class A Skeeter, recently acquired from Tom Hyslop. (Previously: The Bubble Expands) The boat is a Clapp build with a solid pedigree. Matt spent two long days in Daniel Hearn’s shop learning the boat inside and out, and quickly learned that sharpening Skeeter runners is heavier work and a much longer commitment than anything he’s used to with DN runners.
On Thursday, the Skeeter fleet welcomed him on Lake Kegonsa. Ken Whitehorse and Mark Isabell set up under the watchful eye of Paul Krueger, with pit help from Daniel Hearn and Damien Luyet. Conditions weren’t ideal, but they managed a few solid rides. For Matt, it was exactly what he needed, time on the boat, learning how it behaves. Ken Whitehorse sent in this report from the day:
New Year Eye Opener – Wisconsin Skeeter Racing
Results:
1st – M197 (Ken Whitehorse)
2nd – Matt Struble (sailing with an “M” on his usual DN number for now)
Mark Isabell – DNSTwo races were sailed. M197 finished first in both. Matt followed, with Isabell DNS. Speeds were good.
M197 carried 50 pounds of lead in the trunk, a winning setup that helped punch through the drifts. Tried to keep that quiet.
Excellent hard ice under the snow. A great day of tuning and racing. Best of all, the boats are safe and back on the trailers.
Huge thanks to Daniel Hearn and Damien Luyet for organizing the day. We’re lucky to have club members like them.
Matt was offered $100, a wheel of cheddar, and a Packers hat to put an “M” on his sails. Mostly kidding. Mostly. Also trying to stack our roster for the Ice Yacht Challenge Pennant of America.
Ken Whitehorse M197
“Now listen up, Enzo and Dash—if anyone tries to port-tack you…”
Midweek also brought a visit from the Geneva Nite gang. Olympic sailor Paris Henken, Harry Melges IV, Kyle Navin, and RJ Porter were among several Nites that rolled in on New Year’s Eve and ripped it up on Lake Kegonsa. Two future 4LIYC members, Dash and Enzo, made their debut on the ice, sailing all day with their grandfather, Daniel Hearn. Geneva Nites pushing off on Lake Kegonsa (short video)
Regatta Watch: 2025 ISA – CANCELED
Pat Heppert sailing DRIFTER at the 2022 International Skeeter Association Regatta on Lake Monona in Madison, WI. Photo: Will Johnston
Via International Skeeter Association Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk:
The International Race Committee has reviewed the current conditions and forecasts and determined that the Minnesota race venues are out due to temperatures in single digits and coming snow depths. Without other options and the arrival of the holidays, the decision has been made to let 2025 go. We are back up and pointing next to January 9th 2026 for the first day of the 2026 Championship. Next update: Sunday, January 4, 2026.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
Regatta Watch: 2025 ISA & Renegade Championship Postponed to Dec 12-14
Kyle Navin, finished 2nd at the Nite Nationals
Via ISA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk:
The 2025 International Skeeter Association and Renegade Championships have been postponed until December 12 – 14. Ice will be starting to form at our target sites of Minnewaska and Battle lakes tonight. The forecasts look promising for December 12-14. Next update is Sunday, December 7, 2025.
Steve Schalk
Regatta Watch: 2025 ISA & Renegade Championship December Outlook
Steve Schalk sailing a B Skeeter on Lake Kegonsa at the 2023 ISA. Photo: Will Johnston
2025 NOTICE OF RACE
ISA HOME PAGE
Via ISA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk:
The ISA & Renegade Championship Race Committee is cranking back up to find the location for the postponed 2025 ISA. The conference calls restart on November 30th. There is a cold front moving through Minnesota as I write this, with none of the sites yet frozen, so the current snow is just falling in open water. The following cold will close up the lakes and allow for the search to begin. Minnewaska and Battle Lakes are favored sites with their launch facilities.
The ISA Race Chairman believes that it should be possible for a DN Western Challenge by December 5th, with the two following weekends available for the ISA. Of course the weather will dictate the outcome. We will post Sunday 7 pm updates starting November 30th.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
ISA Newsletter Archive
