Regatta Watch: 2026 WSSA Postponed to Jan 31-Feb 1
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to January 31 and Feb 1, 2026. The next update will be Sunday, January 25. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
Regatta Watch: 2026 NIYA Postponed to Jan 23-25
ACE OF SPADES Photo Kevin Chapman
The first domino falls….
Ice checks on Lake Winnebago revealed thickness levels of anywhere from 7 to 10 inches of ice, with some reports of much less in spots. The top 5 inches of the ice are soft snow ice and are not load bearing. We will need more hard ice build-up to be safe for the big boats. Cold temperatures will result in more thickness with more time. the Northwest is postponed for a week to January 23rd, 24th and 25th 2026.Next update is January 18.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
Northwestern Ice Yachting Association
Waiting on the Calls: Sailing WISCONSIN on Lake Winnebago
Link to video
As decisions are made today on whether the NIYA, ISA, the Nite Nationals (and now the DN Western Region Championship) are called on or postponed, here’s a short clip from Tuesday afternoon on Lake Winnebago, with the stern steerer WISCONSIN stretching her legs in strong wind.
Andy Gratton, who shared the video, put it best:
The video doesn’t do justice to how the sun shimmered off all the little ripples on the many puddles due to the strong winds today. It almost looked like we were sailing on water, not ice.
The video was taken from WISCONSIN by Andy’s son-in-law, David School.
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: WSSA Postponed to Jan 24-25
Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association Home
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to January 24 and 25, 2026. The next update will be Sunday, January 18. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
Regatta Watch: 2026 Northwest Tentatively Called ON for Lake Winnebago Jan 16-19
2025 Northwest Photo – Rob Resnick
Northwest Ice Yachting Association Regatta Home
The NIYA Regatta is on for Fond Du Lac starting Friday January 16th. The final call will be made by noon on Wednesday the 14th after a check of ice and weather forecasts. Next update, Wednesday, January 14 by noon.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
NIYA
Regatta Watch: WSSA Postponed to Jan 17-18
Photo: Rob Resnick – Revelations of Design
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to January 17-18, 2026. The next update will be Sunday, January 11. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
Regatta Watch: WSSA Postponed to Jan 10-11
Photo: Rob Resnick Revelations of Design
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to January 10 and 11, 2026. The next update will be Sunday, January 4. Check back here at that time. Happy New Year.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
Army vs Navy On Ice
While we wait for ice, here’s a small history lesson. The American Legion on Lake Winnebago at Oshkosh (now The Waters) seen here with the stern steerer DEUCE rigged on the ice. The Legion hosted and sponsored ice yacht regattas, including the Army–Navy races. Photo from the Carl Bernard collection.
With the Army–Navy football game played yesterday, some old newspaper clippings surfaced that report on another Army–Navy rivalry, this one on ice.
In the 1930s, the Oshkosh Ice Yacht Club hosted an annual Army vs. Navy ice yacht race, sponsored by the American Legion. One clipping, from January 1935, describes a decisive Army victory sailed in rough conditions, heavy snow cover, strong northwesterly winds, and difficult ice.
The American Legion’s striking white building on Lake Winnebago, now The Waters, served as regatta headquarters for many events.
It’s perfect weather here at -7F in the Four Lakes area this morning and Lake Mendota is steaming like hell. Check out the Mendota Today live-cam to watch some ice making.
Tip of the Helmet: Henry Boshkossett
Staying In The Lines
Stern Steerer sailor Andy Gratton checked in from Lake Winnebago with a note and a surprise. His wife Ann was cleaning the attic and found an oversized coloring book from 1976, price tag still on it, 88 cents. Along with a spread of historical scenes, it includes this DN drawing. Andy added that Winnebago “got too much snow. The ice was looking really nice on Monday. Drats!”
Their attic discovery sparked an idea, so here are a few quickly AI generated ROSEMARY and WISCONSIN coloring-book pages.
WISCONSIN ICE BOATING HOTLINE 608-204-9876
WSSA DUES
W.S.S.A. dues are $20.00 and can be mailed to Andy Gratton at the following address:
W.S.S.A.
c/o Andy Gratton, Secretary/Treasure
2102 Doty Street
Oshkosh, WI. 54902
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