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

REGISTER FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SKEETER ASSOCIATION REGATTA
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.
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
Regatta Watch: 2025 ISA & Renegade Championship Postponed to Feb14 – 16
Via ISA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk
The 2025 ISA and Renegade Championship has been postponed until February 14 – 16. The weather forecast of little to no wind on Friday, with a full day of vision blocking snow on Saturday made the decision to postpone clear.The next update will be posted here on Sunday, February 9.
Regatta Watch: 2025 ISA & Renegade Championship Tentatively Called ON for Feb 7-9
Via International Skeeter Association Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk
The 2025 International Skeeter Association and Renegade Championship regattas are tentatively called on for the February 7 – 9.
Primary site is Lake Monona, Madison, WI. Secondary site is Lake Pepin, Lake City, MN. Final confirmation will be made by Wednesday, February 5, by noon.Steve Schalk
Secretary / Treasurer ISA
Regatta Watch: 2025 International Skeeter Association Regatta Postponed to Feb 7 – 9

Pat Heppert in his C Skeeter DRIFTER at the 2025 Northwest on Lake Winnebago, Fond Du Lac, WI. Photo by Jim Koepnick. See all Jim’s photos here.
Via ISA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk
The 2025 ISA Championship Regatta is postponed to Friday February 7th, 8th, and 9th 2025.
A week is being put in between the completed NIYA and the ISA.
With lots of ice thickness, warming temps may open up more locations. Next update is Sunday, February 2 2025.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
Regatta Watch: 2025 International Skeeter Association Regatta Postponed

E Skeeter: Dan Clapp
ISA Home Page
Via ISA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk:
The International Skeeter Association Championship is postponed one week while the NIYA Championship is being sailed.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
Regatta Watch: 2025 Northwest Called ON for Fond du Lac Jan 17-19

ACE OF SPADES & LITTLE WIND line up to race.
Via NIYA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk
The 2025 NIYA Regatta is called on for Fond Du Lac,, January 17 – 19 with the final call at noon Wednesday January 15th. Launch will be drive on at the Sunset Bar.
UPDATE: The International Skeeter Association and Renegade Championship regattas are postponed. The NIYA regatta takes precedence.
Regatta Watch: 2025 ISA & Renegade Championship Postponed to January 17-19
The ISA and Renegade Championships are postponed a week.
It appears that multiple potential destinations for the regatta will need to be checked in the week ahead to locate the best ice. Next update is January 12, 2025.
Steve Schalk
ISA Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association Updates – 2025 Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions, and Dues

B Skeeters on Lake Monona. Photo: Will Johnston
ISA Home Page
Notice of Race
Sailing Instructions & Conditions
Annual Meeting Agenda Items
The 2025 Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions, and Annual Meeting Agenda items are now available online! Be sure to review them and prepare for another great season.
Additionally, if you’re not up to date on your ISA dues, now is the time to take care of it. A list of current paid members has been uploaded for your convenience. (See it here.) If you don’t see your name on the list, you can quickly pay your dues online here.
Stay tuned for more updates, and let’s get ready for the 2025 season!
ISA & Renegade Championship Regatta Recap
ISA & Renegade Championship Results
The final day of the ISA Regatta was a challenging one, with foggy, overcast, and damp conditions that limited visibility in the morning. Fortunately, the wind was steady enough for racing, though the Race Committee postponed the start in hopes of weather improvement.
The B Skeeters decided to conclude their regatta early, holding their trophy ceremony on the ice before heading back to Lake Geneva. The A Skeeters also opted not to race, celebrating their champions with a trophy presentation on the ice. Meanwhile, the Renegades and Nite fleets stayed out later in the morning and managed to get in some solid racing before calling it a day.
By the afternoon, all participants gathered at the Water’s Edge Restaurant to warm up with hot chili and hold the regatta’s final trophy ceremony.
A special thanks to everyone who made this regatta possible: Ann Foeller, working remotely from Toledo, Ohio, for tabulating results for both the ISA and DN Western Region Championship; Julie Jankowski and Fred Stritt, for monitoring the weather mark on both courses; John Dennis, the ISA Regatta Chair, for organizing a successful event; and Pat Heppert for keeping the schedule on track. We’re also grateful to veteran photographer Gretchen Dorian for her coverage. Although she couldn’t make it to the ISA course, you can spot the Skeeters in the background of her always amazing DN photos. And finally, our heartfelt thanks to the people of Starbuck, Minnesota, for their always warm welcome and to the Water’s Edge Restaurant for graciously putting up with us throughout the event
2024 ISA Day 2 & DN Western Region Day 1 Report

DN Junior Sailor Maggie McGary US2453. Photo: Gretchen Dorian
ISA Results
DN Western Region Results
Saturday brought a different set of weather conditions—overcast and warmer, but with a dampness that felt more chilling than the 10°F temperatures of Friday. Thankfully, the wind remained steady, making it easier to run races efficiently.
I assisted on the DN course, while Pat Heppert, Jim McDonough, and others pitched in to manage the ISA course. Fred Stritt and Julie Jankowski, our dedicated DN Western Region weather mark crew, had the best vantage point of the day. Their position near the ISA pits allowed them to witness races on both courses.
On the DN side, we completed an impressive 10 races and were back at Water’s Edge Restaurant (add this place to the list of iceboaters favorite bars) by 2:30 PM. Chris Berger US5166 and Steve Orlebeke US4926 battled fiercely for the top spot throughout the day, while Dale Gordon and Alexander Leach are tied for first in the Silver fleet heading into the final day.
A special highlight was junior DN sailor Maggie McGary US2453, who placed second in the Silver fleet during the first race. Maggie is racing alongside her dad, John McGary, and it’s safe to say she’s the one showing him the ropes!
Veteran iceboat photographer Gretchen Dorian is also here capturing the action. Yesterday, she focused on the DN course, and today, she plans to shoot the ISA races. You can check out her amazing photos from yesterday here:.
Today marks the final day of racing for both the ISA and the DN Western Region Championship.
2024 ISA Day 1 Report
2024 ISA & Renegade Championship Information
Day One Report – ISA
Friday, December 13, 2024
Day one of the ISA was marked by brutally cold conditions. Racing was postponed initially as we waited for the temperatures to rise to at least 10°F. After a delay to wait for the temperature to ride, a quick skipper’s meeting was held, and the Race Committee efficiently sent everyone out to the course.
At exactly noon, George Gerhardt dropped the flag for the B and C Skeeters to start their first race. Throughout the day, temperatures gradually rose while the breeze picked up, allowing each fleet to complete three races—except for the A Skeeters, who were unable to start their third race due to running out of daylight.
Meanwhile, the DNs are set to to sail on a separate course today for their Western Region Championship.
ISA & Renegade Championship: Day 1 Starting Positions
ISA AND RENEGADE CHAMPIONSHIP
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2024
DAY 1 STARTING POSITIONS
STARTING ORDER PER SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
COMBINES B & C SKEETERS
B & C SKEETERS
1 James Smith I-34
2 Billy Barrett I-711
3 Rich Popovich I-422
4 Jason Thompson I-248
5 Jim McDonagh I-234
6 Pat Heppert I-291
7 Chris Hibbard 51
8 Regin Schwaen D-181
RENEGADES
1 Damien LUyet 244/213
2 Chris Gordon 582
3 Ron Rosten R-161
4 Doug Kolner 515
5 George Gerhardt 123
6 Michael Maloney 599
7 Chad Atkins 500
8 Mike Derusha R-188
9 Andrew Gratton 81
10 Peter Sarelis 406
11 Daniel Hearn 507
12 Skip Dieball 555
NITES
1 Mike Jankowski 559
2 John Heigis 160
3 Mike Peters 544
4 Rich Popovich 422
5 Terry Reynolds 58
6 Daniel Hearn 595
7 Marek Valasek 444
8 Drew Vandervelde 556
9 Dave Navin 549
10 Bill Andersen 432
11 Daniel Bierman 517
12 Kyle Navin 419
13 Maureen Bohleber 497
14 Chris Wiberg 434
A SKEETERS
1 John Dennis U-194
2 Alex Peterson U-420
3 Jay Yaeso U-311
ISA & Renegade Championship: Day 1 AM Update
Via ISA Regatta Chair John Dennis
The regatta is postponed this morning, Friday, December 13 because temperatures are below 10 F.
Skipper’s meeting is at 11 AM at the launch and first race is noon.
Regatta Watch: 2024 ISA & Renegade Championship Called ON for Dec 13 – 15
The 2024 International Skeeter Association (ISA) Regatta and Renegade Championship have been called ON for this weekend, December 13-15 on Lake Minnewaska, Starbuck, Minnesota!
Notice of Race
Sailing Instructions & Conditions
- ISA & Renegade Championship Regatta: A three-day event beginning Friday, December 13.
- This is a regatta for the following classes. A, B, and C Skeeters, Renegades, and Nites.
- The DN Western Region Championship has also been called on at the same location. We will be sharing the launch, the fun, and possibly the race course with the DN fleet. The Race Committees will decide on the ice whether all fleets will race on one course or have separate courses based upon conditions.
- DO NOT DRIVE ON THE ICE! Back your trailers on the ice.
Important: Registration is ONLINE ONLY and closes Friday morning at 7 AM CT. There will be no in-person registration, so please ensure you register online before the deadline.
Everything else you need to know – launch, lodging and registration posted here.
Regatta Watch: 2024 ISA Called ON for Starbuck, MN

Big lake, big ice, big hiking on Lake Winnebago at the 2010 Northwest Regatta. Photo: Gretchen Dorian
Via ISA Regatta Chair John Dennis
The 2024 International Skeeter Association Regatta has been tentatively called on for Lake Minnewaska in Starbuck, MN, from December 13–15. This is a regatta for the Skeeter, Nite, and Renegade classes. This is the same venue where the 2024 DN Western Challenge took place.
Adding to the excitement, the 2024 DN Western Region Championship has also been called on with this regatta, creating a unique opportunity for camaraderie and fun.
Additionally, if conditions are favorable, the Renegade fleet may choose to hold their 2024 Championship at Lake Puckaway in Princeton, Wisconsin.
Final confirmation for the regatta will be posted by noon on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.