ISA

International Skeeter Association
The world’s fastest iceboats.

ISA Regatta

The ISA regatta was first sailed in 1940.

Innovation

The only rules for the Skeeter class are sail area and configuration.
This class thrives on the latest state-of-the-art technology.

Fastest Sail Powered Boats on the Planet

Skeeters are the “Formula One” in the world of ice yacht racing.

B Skeeters

B Skeeters maintain the classic lines of the wooden Skeeter.

Nite

The Nite class has competed as a separate class in the ISA since 1996.

Champions

Bill Mattison 4LIYC: 11 time champion
Dan Clapp NSIBYC: 9 time champion
Buddy Melges SIBC: 7 time champion

Commitment

“Sufficiently committed skippers find the greatest challenge in these boats,
where design, building, and maintenance skills share equal roles with sailing ability.” Charles Johnson

C Skeeter

Sail area 40-75 square feet and mast less than 20 feet 3 inches from deck to top of mast.

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.

C-Skeeter Polish Championship


The Western Region of the DN Class (WI, MN, IL, IA, IN, UP of MI) is hosting the DN World & North American Championship in just a few days. Ice sailors from Poland and Sweden are here to train on Lake Kegonsa. The regatta site information will be announced on January 18, 2023, on idniyra.org. Regatta information.

Boat preparations are underway for the first-ever C-Skeeter Polish Match Racing Championship. Current DN World Champion, Robert Graczyk, will face off with former DN World Champion, Tomek Zakrzewski, on Lake Kegonsa in Stoughton, Wisconsin this Wednesday, January 18. Weather permitting, of course. At stake is a meal of Polish delicacies including pirogies and Polish sausage. But none of that cold soup. The loser will treat the winner and the boat owners/race committee at the prize giving ceremony, which will take place sometime during the ‘23 DN Worlds/North Americans.

To date, only the Black Ice/Loren ipsum camp has responded to requests for information about boat prep. The Drifter camp remains shielded under a cloak of secrecy, no doubt working on another traveler-like innovation to create an unfair advantage.

To make sure the race track is level, the two competitors will trade boats after each race, and the championship will conclude after an even number of races. Clearly the Drifter camp strategists have failed to read the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions.

2023 ISA & Renegade Championship Awards

Renegades line up to race at the 2023 Renegade Championship on Lake Kegonsa, January 14, 2023. Photo: Will Johnston

RESULTS
A stronger breeze made it a wind hat trick on day three of the ISA and Renegade championships on Lake Kegonsa. The A & B Skeeters elected to watch the Nites and Renegades take to the course for spirited racing. All agreed they couldn’t remember when Mother Nature blessed the ISA with three sailable days. Renegaders discussed how this ISA was a record for them in the number of races (8.)

Many thanks to the Race Committee, including
Joe Norton, Jerry Simon, Scott Goetz, Paul McMillan, Afan Ottenhemier, and 4LIYC Commodore Daniel Hearn, who helped to organize the equipment. Also, many thanks to Ann Foeller, who tabulated remotely from Lake Erie’s shores and is a Toledo Ice Yacht Club member. And thank you to the many competitors who didn’t hesitate to pick up starting blocks, call numbers, and anything else to make the regatta run smoothly.

Will Johnston ISA & Renegade Championship Photo Gallery


Class A Skeeters in perfect harmony. Photo: Will Johnston

WILL JOHNSTON PHOTOS

Photographer Will Johnston joined us for a second year in a row for the 2023 ISA and Renegade Championship. He even hitched a ride in an airplane (friend of Jeff Russell’s) for some aerial shots. Will has generously shared a link to all of the photos. See all of them here. If you use Will’s photos for anything other than personal posts, please get in touch with me so I can give you his contact information.

C Skeeter on Lake Kegonsa. Photo: Will Johnston

ISA & Renegade Championship: Day 3 AM Report

A Skeeters frame a Nite Class iceboat. Photo: Kenton Fowler
PROVISIONAL RESULTS
2023 ISA & RENEGADE CHAMPIONSHIP HOME

The wind made another welcomed appearance on the second day of the ISA & Renegade Championship. The A, B, C Skeeters, and the Renegades sailed three races in moderate breeze. The Nites were only able to complete two races today. The weather mark came down in the first Nite race of the day because someone hit it (and did the right thing by telling the Race Committee, thank you!) The race was black-flagged, the mark repaired, and then the A Skeeters began the rotation.

Nite points leader Tom Sweitzer broke his mast in the first Nite race. Luckily, the race was black-flagged, and he carries a spare mast. Tom was on the starting line for the final Nite race of the day and came in second to David Navin

The Nite fleet starts first in the rotation today at 9:30 AM (to make up their 6th race from Saturday), and then the regular order will resume.

ISA & Renegade Championship Report: Day 1

amberarnoldphoto The International Skeeter Association and Renegade Championships hosted by the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club on Lake Kegonsa in Stoughton, Wis., Friday, Jan. 13, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL

PROVISIONAL RESULTS
2023 ISA & RENEGADE CHAMPIONSHIP HOME

First, let’s get the business out of the way. ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION

The 2023 ISA Annual meeting will be in the mooring area tomorrow morning, Saturday January 14th, prior to the first race. Fleet representatives take note.

Steve Schalk
ISA Secretary/Treasurer

A perfect regatta day. Wind, hard ice; what more can we ask for?  Three races in each fleet, A Skeeter, B Skeeter, C Skeeter, Renegade, and Nite.
The wind was out of the north and “juicy” early in the morning but true to the forecast, calmed down a bit. Southerly breeze for Saturday means the starting area should be visible from Springer’s Bar & Restaurant big picture windows. The A Skeeter fleet will start the rotation on Saturday when the flag drops at 9:30 AM.  Follow the regatta on our 4LIYC Facebook page for live video feeds.

ISA Called ON for Jan 13 – 15, 2023 on Lake Kegonsa

Photo: Will Johnston

REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 7 AM, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2023
FIRST RACE STARTING POSITIONS .)
COMPETITORS LIST & PROVISIONAL RESULTS

The ISA Race Committee has called the 2023 Championship Regatta on starting Friday January 13th at Lake Kegonsa.

The host club is the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club.

The Sailing Conditions and Instructions are posted on Iceboat.org. Registration is on line at that site. The regatta fee and dues (if not already paid) should be paid on Iceboat.org.

The primary launch site is at Amundson Landing off of Quam Road on the south shore of Lake Kegonsa. There is an additional launch ramp on the north side of the lake at the Town of Pleasant Springs launch. Pleasant Springs requires a launch fee.

Trailers must be backed on and pushed out or pulled out by the ATVs. No driving on the ice. Parking is available on the local roadsides at the Amundson Landing. No trailers are to be parked on the roadsides.

Steve Schalk

Secretary/Treasurer

International Skeeter Association

The 2023 International Skeeter Association and Renegade Championships have been called ON for Lake Kegonsa, Stoughton, WI for January 15, 16, 17. This is a three day regatta for A, B, and C class Skeeters, Nites, and Renegades.

ISA & RENEGADE CHAMPIONSHIP
Dates: January 13, 14, 15, 2023
Location: Lake Kegonsa, Stoughton, WI

REGISTRATION, ISA, & RENEGADE DUES
REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 7 AM CT ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2023

LAUNCH:
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE ON THE ICE! ATVs will be there to help take trailers to the ice.
Amundson Landing
1928-2264 Quam Dr, Stoughton, WI 53589
Map

LODGING
BOOKING LINK
You can call the hotel or just use the booking link and reserve their rooms at your special rate online.
Clarion Suites at The Alliant Energy Center
2110 Rimrock Road
Madison, WI 53713
Map
(608) 284-1234
$99
Ask for the ISA Regatta rate.

RACE DOCUMENTS
ISA Notice of Race
ISA Sailing Instructions & Conditions
ISA First Race Starting Positions
Results
Once racing starts, competitors should check the results online for their starting positions. 

STARTING POSITIONS
Starting positions will be posted online by 9:30 AM on Friday, January 13, 2023. Here is the link.
Late entrants will start at the end of the start line.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, January 13, 2023
Race Schedule:
• The first race will be at 10:00 AM local time on Friday, January 13, 2023

FLEET ROTATION:

1. A Skeeters
2. B & C Skeeters
3. Renegades
4. Nites
• Races will be held for A, B, C Class Skeeters, Nites and Renegades should Renegades choose to hold their national championship regatta in conjunction with the ISA Championship Regatta.
• Nine races are scheduled for each division. Three are necessary for a complete regatta.

Saturday, January 14, 2023
First race will be at 9:30 AM
Banquet: 6:30 PM
Fat Jack’s BBQ
6207 Monona Dr, Monona, WI 53716
Map
$20 for family style BBQ chicken, ribs, fries, coleslaw, and garlic bread. Beverages are extra.
Pay at the door

Sunday, January 15, 2023
First race will be at 9:30 AM

ANNUAL MEETINGS
The ISA Annual Meeting will be held on the ice after racing on Friday, January 13, 2023
The Renegade Annual Meeting: 6:30 PM, Friday, January 13, 2023 at the Four Lakes Yacht Club
6312 Inland Wy, Madison, WI 53713
Map

WHERE TO WATCH
Springer’s On The Lake is the best place to watch, have  some food, and your favorite beverage. You don’t even have to go on the ice. The iceboaters often sail to Springer’s for lunch.
3097 Sunnyside St, Stoughton, WI 53589

Regatta Watch: ISA Called ON for Lake Kegonsa

Photo: Will Johnston

ISA Home Page
Via ISA President John Dennis

The International Skeeter Association Regatta & Renegade Championship have tentatively been called on for Lake Kegonsa near Madison, WI, January 13 – 15, 2023. Final confirmation will be on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 by noon CT.

5 classes sail in the ISA & Renegade Championship:
A, B, and C Skeeters
Nites
Renegades

Mary Jane Schalk: Ready For Some Time Away

Steve and Mary Jane Schalk

Via Mary Jane Schalk, Fontana, WI

Hey Ice boat racers,

I just want to thank all of you for so many years of helping me with one of the coolest things I have ever done. We have all been through so much together.

I think I started scoring ice boat regatta’s back in the 90’s. Remember way back then and I did all the tabulating with a pencil and a very long sheet of paper. There were some interesting stories and memorable situations back then! It took a while but so worth it to graduate into computer scoring.

I had so many great people to work with. First of all many of you sailors were my callers, and then I had Renate Intini, Julie Jankowski, and then Deb to work with. As you know Deb and I had some pretty good and crazy times together. We could figure out ways to entertain ourselves during a postponement, and had way more fun that we probably should have!!! Thanks Deb for all the fun times. I would also like to thank Shari Lundberg for teaching me in the beginning all about scoring and tabulating.

I stopped scoring from the ice to help take care of my mom and then we had so many cats that needed care like insulin shots twice a day, fluid under the skin, and medicine that – that kept me from coming back. But I was then able to do the tabulating from home.

I was still a helper by arranging hotels, banquets, and meetings for regattas. I drew for your starting positions from home and called them into Deb. Deb would take a picture of your finishes and call them in or send them to me. Now with me being able to post to the web page on a good day I could score the race and get it posted before the last finisher got out of his boat. That is way cool.

But I am ready for some time away. I have lots of plans for some fun activities while the regattas are on. Maybe I’ll just go down and visit some other retired ice boaters like Gary and Kenny Kessler. Now that would be fun!!! Deb asked one of the DN tabulators, Ann Foeller of the Toledo Ice Yacht Club, if she would score the ISA and NW regattas and she agreed. I wouldn’t leave without a replacement.

I am so happy to have met so many really cool and fun ice boaters. We have had lots of fun times, and made great memories. I can hardly wait for a regatta to come to Geneva Lake, as then I can hang with you all on the ice, and not be stuck at home in front of the computer.

Have fun everyone, be careful on the ice, and sail fast,
MJ
BTW I am sharing my favorite version of Steve’s iceboat song. I’d say it a pretty good one! LINK

Via Jane Pegel:

Mary Jane was a significant member of the Lake Geneva YC race committee. She also is a competitive sailor. She handled the front end of Steve’s E scow and his J-24.

She trimmed jib on my class M scow and helped me win Inland Lake YA championships and Blue Chips. She is no doubt, an exceptional woman who is happy to be “involved”.

…Jane

Mary Jane Schalk has been a crucial part of North American iceboating racing, and she’s decided to take a well-earned retirement. You may have seen her smiling face on the ice of Lake Geneva, but she was deeply involved behind the scenes in every Northwest, ISA, Renegade, and many Nite regattas for 30 years. She took care of numerous organizational details so that you ice sailors could book a room, attend a banquet, see your regatta scores, receive your trophies, and pursue your passion for iceboat racing.

MJ and I share many good memories. One of my best was driving on Geneva back to the Fontana landing towards the sunset. We were singing a silly, fun song at the top of our lungs that we had made up about the late Renegade sailor, Arlyn Lafortune, to the marching chant O-Ee-Yah! Eoh-Ah from the Wizard of Oz. (Yeah, you had to be there…) We both probably enjoyed too much red wine later that night but were always ready for the next day. I know she’ll continue to be the first person I call when I have a funny story to share. – Deb Whitehorse

In the News 2: Bill Mattison in Dec Seahorse Magazine

Bill Mattison and his 75%

The second part of Carol Cronin’s Bill Mattison article in Seahorse Magazine has been published.  “Carol Cronin continues her look back at the extraordinary life of a very extraordinary ‘yachtsman’… though such a plain description does not begin to touch the sides.”
The magazine is subscription based and you can purchase the December edition in print or digital format here.

Decades of continuous improvement
An unattributed quote in the book that Bill Mattison’s daughter Lynn produced for him puts the whole sport of iceboating into perspective. ‘It has been rumoured that iceboating is 75 per cent building them, 10 per cent talking about them, 10 per cent waiting around on the ice for the right conditions and five per cent actually sailing them.’ And her father enjoyed all of it. Continue reading.

PREVIOUSLY
In The News: Bill Mattison in Nov Seahorse Magazine
A Life that Dreams Are Made Of
Eight Bells
Home of the Volleyball(?) Champs
Nothing Fickler
Bill’s Circus Life
The Icing On The Lake”
“Fast Forward Since Birth”
“The Hard-Water Gang” with Bill Mattison at the 2001 ISA
Shooting the Breeze with Bill Mattison
Bill Mattison Inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame
Iceboaters Fingerprints
Willy St. Iceboat Shop Archives

Everything You Want to Know About Rear-Seat Skeeters


Bill Mattison wrote this article for Yacht Racing and Cruising magazine in 1981 in the heyday of the rear-seat Class A Skeeter, a few years before the dawn of the cockpit forward style. Hundreds of these rear-seaters are still out there. Print this article and keep it with the boat if you have one.
Tip of the Helmet: Mike O’Brien
Read the article.

The word “iceboater” should be listed as a synonym for “dedication.”
Bill Mattison

The ISA Fast Second Update 2-22-22

Previous: The ISA Fast Second
Via Past Champions Iceboat Shop Ken Whitehorse:

Second day of M165 repairs: The inside bulkhead was reinforced with 1″ by 4″ by 11″ oak. Note the blow out at upper left. The deck was reinforced with three layers of carbon fiber. Next, we will mount the pulleys.  Paul “Samson” Krueger will be able to pull the sheet rope with great confidence that the pulley system is secure!
P.S.  (Past Champs Iceboat Shop has no warranty on any repairs) 

“Tradition, Fun and New Friends – 2022 Renegade Class Championship”

Skip Dieball R555 and Tim McCormick R385. Photo: Will Johnston

2022 Renegade Champion Skip Dieball shares his “inside the helmet” perspective about his first Renegade Championship.
Renegade Home Page

2022 Results

Tradition, Fun and New Friends
2022 Renegade Class Championship
-Skip Dieball R555

 

What a fun weekend in Madison Feb 18-20. The collection of iceboating enthusiasts really encompassed the spectrum of abilities, which makes the experience so fun. The way folks light up when they have first ride…and the hardened veterans that tweak their set ups.

 

The Renegade Class has been around since 1947 (75 years!). Through the years, the boat has stayed true to its One-Design roots and has produced some of the best iceboaters the sport has seen. This year’s championship fielded a talented group, which included 5 past class champions.

 

I’m new to the class, but not new to iceboating. I’m a generational sailor from Toledo, Ohio where Renegade sailing was quite popular when I was growing up. My father, Denny Dieball, sailed #76 through the 70s and 80s.

 

My brother and I cut our teeth in the local DN fleet as we grew up. As life moved on, I became a professional sailor and spent the winter months in Florida from regatta to regatta. Iceboating was just a fill in. In the early 2010s, I got serious about DN sailing and worked with my friend Ron Sherry to get geared up and competitive. I loved it and was hooked again, but I always had great offers for soft water sailing in Florida, so it wasn’t until this past summer that I told myself I needed to sail and have fun on my own and iceboating fit the work schedule nicely.

 

With the help of Deb Whitehorse and Daniel Hearn, I got in touch with Don Anderson and purchased a Renegade and took it back to Chicago and started rehabbing. Just like so many fleets in both hard and soft water sailing, it is truly the PEOPLE that make the experiences special. These folks helped me get set up with a boat and offered any advice that I had a question for.

 

I had some unscheduled quarantine time, so I dug into the boat and before long was applying new paint and working to make sure it would be ready for the maiden voyage…which would be later in January in the 4LIYC club races.

 

My first few races I could tell that the “One-Design” aspect of the Renegade would really appeal to me. The racing was close and speeds so similar. I love that and having only the equipment with the boat, it made focusing on sailing a lot easier for me. No lugging runners and sails to the starting box, etc.

 

This year’s Championship was what seems typical of multi-day iceboating events. The weather not fully cooperating, our Friday and Sunday skunked with BIG winds. I didn’t mind as it allowed me to get to know more folks that I hadn’t previously met. The Renegade class members are a great group and everyone has a great passion for the boat, history and tradition. Saturday’s provided plenty of variety to make up for the down time.

 

Before getting into some of the racing details, hat’s off to the Race Committee. The wind was predicted to shift all day and it did! They did their best to race all classes in the best breeze available and did an incredible job getting three races per division to ensure the minimum number of races were met to call a regatta. Great job!

 

The first race was in a dying breeze. In fact, at the start, it was difficult to get the boats rolling. For me, I was lucky enough to catch a small zephyr and get the momentum going. I was able to keep it going to the top mark and only a few from the other side crossed. Not having raced a Renegade in this light of wind, I was happy to get round the 1st mark. With the voice of Ron Sherry in my head, I focused on “don’t worry about the angles, just keep the boat going”. It was all I could do to focus on that and not lose my mind when I saw someone catching that next puff. There were boats moving, boats stopped and I really lost track of where I was with the leaders and those that were right behind. I felt fortunate to keep the boat going as nearly everyone at some point stopped. I finished right behind past champ Tim McCormick for a 2nd. Many fell behind and others had pushed back to the pits, resulting in DNFs. Tough opening race, but the breeze was shifting and increasing so there was hope.

 

I’m sure optimism was low with the entire group of sailors, but the wind did fill in. By the time the Renegades were up for a race, it was over 10 knots. This made for a great race. Super fast and competitive. For me, I came off the 2 starting position and had a great start to lead the fleet from the left. We all had a little something the right didn’t have and our side looked great and I was leading (!!!). I had that Ron Sherry voice in my head again (I know that’s dangerous LOL) saying “just go fast Skip…keep the pedal pressed”. I was so happy to have opened up a huge lead…you know one of those leads you never lose. Unless you are a newbie and get soft in the upper right corner and watch the fleet get wound inside! UGH! I managed to fend off Jim Gluek at the top mark, but he proved why he was the reigning 2-time champ by putting me in his dust to win the race. Mentally, it could have been a downer for me, but I was just psyched to be in the top and happy to get another 2nd.

 

Our last race was in some bigger winds, maybe gusting 13-15. Again starting in the 2 position, I had a good start, but had to tack under Don Anderson who was smokin’ from the left edge. Again our group crossing on port had a little special puff and crossed the group from the right. What tight racing. Don, myself and Mike Derusha were nearly three wide at the top and flying downwind. All three of us were jockeying for position at the bottom with Don edging myself and Mike right behind. I was able to point a little higher than Don and get inside of him to take the lead. I got around the top in good shape and sent it downwind again. Last beat, I had a nice lead. Nothing could go wrong, right??? How about déjà vu? Mike gets wicked up inside of me as I go soft on the right again. NOT AGAIN! Like the previous race with Jim, I was able to hold off Mike at the top, but it was a true dual on the run. Mike split with me to have starboard advantage at the bottom, but I caught a nice puff and finished for the win. With 2,2,1, I was ecstatic. What a great opening to the event. My goal of top 5 was looking quite good.

 

After the long day, it was fun to rehash the excitement back at the launch. I really appreciated all the kind words and truly was having a great time learning, talking, meeting folks in the class.

 

The forecast for Sunday was big winds. Bigger than Friday’s abandonment, so it would have been easy to play the odds and finishing counting scores, but I kept focus and took the runners back to the hotel get to get the edges sharp and focus on the next day. As luck would have it for me, the winds were too much for sailing and the regatta was called off. I’ve been on both sides of this one. Sitting 2nd and dying to go, but being in the lead “at the cocktail party” is never a bad plan if you can do it.

 

Renegade Class champions from left, Andy Gratton 5th, Ron Rosten 4th, Greg McCormick 3rd, Tim McCormick 2nd, and Skip Dieball 1st.

You know, the racing seems to be the “story” of an event, but let me tell you about the people in the Renegade Class. So many are so generous with their time and volunteerism. It keeps it going. And for those that embraced the newbie….Don Anderson for a wonderful introduction to “Renegading”, the McCormicks for showing me the fun side of Madison, Mike Derusha and Jim LaFortune for the talks at the hotel. What a great collection of personalities.

 

Special thanks to those that helped me get organized and fast. Deb and Daniel continued to help as leaders of the 4LIYC and involvement me as a newbie. Ron Rosten became a friend right away as he helped me get my runners tuned up. He’s so generous with his time…I can’t thank him enough. Ron Sherry for the tips and encouragement. Mike Boston for his tips and encouragement (and really fast sail, by the way!). Ken Sabin who always helps and lends perspective. It’s been great and I can’t wait for the next one!

Photos by Will Johnston. See all of Will’s Renegade photos at this link.