Hudson River Ice Yacht Online Presentation May 16
Photos of DEBUTANTE, built by George Buckhout, from the William and Carl Bernard scrapbooks.
Via Robert Willis:
Online Presentation: Ice Yachting Since its Beginnings in the Hudson River Valley
Date: May 16, 2025
Time: 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Location: Antique Boat Museum Cox Auditorium & YouTube Live
Presenter: Robert Willis, President, Hudson River Ice Yacht Preservation Trust
Live Stream: YouTube Live StreamFrom Dutch innovation to high-speed thrills on the Hudson, discover how ice yachts evolved from cargo carriers to the fastest vehicles on Earth. Mr. Willis takes us through the design, history, and enduring passion behind this unique winter sport.
This presentation is a good reminder that it all started in New York’s Hudson River Valley. Back in the day, “Northwestern” ice yachtsmen—our Midwestern forebears—knew that if you wanted the best, you went straight to the source: George Buckhout, the Valley’s most renowned builder of stern-steerers.
Here’s more from Brian Reid about Buckhout and his legendary craftsmanship.
So when Oshkosh, Wisconsin’s own John Buckstaff—himself a giant in the iceboating world—wanted a top-tier Class A stern-steerer, he went to Buckhout. The result? DEBUTANTE—a fast, graceful, and fiercely competitive yacht that would become one of the most iconic stern-steerers in Wisconsin history.
The Last Report of the ’25 Season: Ron Rosten at the Monotype XV Worlds
Monotype XV Archives
4LIYC Vice Commodore and Renegader Ron Rosten typically travels to Europe each year for the DN and Ice Optimist Junior World Championship. With this year’s event postponed until December 2025, Ron already had his airline tickets to Sweden—so he made the best of it. He met up with friends and attended the Monotype World Championship instead.
In case you aren’t familiar with the Monotype XV: it’s a two-person ice yacht with deep roots in European ice sailing. As described on a previous version of Monotype website:
“The Monotype-XV ice yacht was designed in 1932 by the legendary Erik von Holst of Estonia. It became popular in a very short time, and more than 200 yachts were built in but a few years. The yacht is a strict monotype construction; in broad outline, it looks the same as in the nineteen thirties. The structural elements are nowadays joined by modern methods and the use of epoxy adhesive. The bronze runners have been replaced by runners in stainless steel. The sail is of course made of Dacron or an equivalent material. The Monotype-XV is the largest monotype class in Europe today, and the only yacht for two for which European as well as international championships are arranged.”
Specs: Sail area: 15 m² | Length: 7.5 m | Width: 4.2 m | Mast height: 7.2 m | Minimum weight: 205 kg | Crew: 1–2 persons
Monotype XV website
Here’s Ron’s report from the trip, originally shared on our Facebook page.
I forgot to post this back in February so I’ll post these photos now. I was in Sweden this past February and spent 2 days visiting the 2025 Monotype-XV Class Championship. There were 26 boats competing that week on one of the very few sailable lakes in Europe, Lake Storsjön near Sandviken.
The first day I was there was a practice day. In a Monotype regatta, all boats start on a port tack and round the bottom mark in a clockwise direction. Another oddity is the crew member sits facing backwards. The Swedish boat S-29 is the defending champion sailed by Bernhard Rost and crewed by Thomas Tennstrom. They would finish 2nd in this year’s regatta.
There were 2 boats that were made available to junior sailors at the regatta. Probably the talk of the regatta was a boat sailed by 2 Swedish juniors, who happened to be female. Hedvig Liljegren was the skipper and Ellen Fredriksson was her crew. They had a grand total of 1 weekend of practice in the boat before the regatta and finished a very respectable 13th overall. Both are very experienced soft water sailors and are training for the 2028 Olympics. [Speaking of Olympics – the Monotype was the iceboat of choice under consideration for the 1936 Olympics. Story here. – About Hedvig and Ellen – About the Sailors: Hedvig Liljegren and Ellen Fredriksson are top-tier Swedish sailors training for the 2028 Olympics. You can follow Hedvig’s Olympic campaign with her brother Hugo on Instagram – Ed.]
FRITZ Heads to Minnetonka
FRITZ ARCHIVES
After 25 years of stewardship, Fred Stritt has passed the helm of the historic Class A stern-steerer FRITZ to a new caretaker. The iconic iceboat, built by Carl Bernard, has found a new home on Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota.
Fred shared his thoughts on the transition on the Midwest Hardwater Sailing Facebook page:
FRITZ is an incredible machine—smooth in light air, exhilarating in medium air, and on the edge of terrifying in heavy air. She’s like hanging onto the tail of a dinosaur—if they want you gone, you’ll be flicked off and flying! Congratulations to Bill and his group and I look forward to seeing Fritz blossom under your guardianship!
Some History:
The Class A stern-steerer FRITZ, built by Carl Bernard, roared into iceboating legend as a Madison, Wisconsin icon. Owned by Frederick Jungbluth and sailed by Bernard, FRITZ achieved an extraordinary feat in 1934, winning all four major trophies—the Stuart Cup, Hearst International Trophy, Northwest Class A, and Northwest free-for-all—in a single year, a record unmatched at the time. FRITZ was a powerhouse, and her victories were celebrated in the Wisconsin State Journal and beyond.
Tragedy struck in 1935 when a mysterious fire—suspected to be arson—destroyed FRITZ and her companion, Miss Alice in Madison. Yet FRITZ endured, and Carl rebuilt her after the fire; she was painted bright red to honor her survival. By 1948, with Bill Mattison crewing for 18-year-old Jim Lunder, she reclaimed the Northwest Class A title on Geneva Lake. Please see the FRITZ archives for more history on this boat.
In The News – Again! Milwaukee Journal Sentinal
Great article about our sport including recognition for Minnesota’s Sam Bartel, a young man who is bringing new sailors into the sport.
Iceboats can go 80 mph on Wisconsin’s frozen lakes
Iceboats, some a century old, are the speedsters and yachts of frozen lakes.
By Rick Barrett
Milwaukee Journal SentinelCRIVITZ – On Lake Noquebay in Marinette County, the Ace of Spades, Miss Jane II, Rosemary, and other iceboats gather for a regatta on ice where the wind has cleared much of the snow. Continue reading.
In the News: The 2024 Northwest
Minnesota station KARE joined us at the 2024 Northwest in Waconia, Minnesota last season. Check out their coverage at the 8 minute mark. Watch here.
A Family Legacy on Ice: UW Student Eden Milan and the MARY B
For UW-Madison student Eden Milan, a simple connection to Madison’s frozen lakes turned into an unexpected discovery of their family’s deep ice boating history. Milan’s great-grandfather, Carl Bernard, was one of Madison’s most accomplished iceboat skippers, winning numerous championships—including nine titles aboard the legendary Mary B. Though originally from Seattle, Milan had no idea they were connected to such a significant piece of Madison’s ice boating legacy until they arrived at UW.
This past weekend at the Frozen Assets Festival, Milan had the rare opportunity to ride aboard the Mary B, experiencing firsthand the ice yacht that helped define their great-grandfather’s legacy. If you haven’t seen this historic iceboat in action yet, there’s still time to visit the Mary B set up in front of The Edgewater.
On a chilly weekday morning in February, Eden Milan pulled a pair of ice creepers over their shoes (rubber grips with small spikes at the bottom) and walked out onto the frozen Lake Mendota.
On the lake, a group of enthusiastic ice boat sailors worked to reassemble the boat Milan’s great-grandfather collected so many of his trophies with, a boat that continues to represent Madison’s history as an ice boating haven. Continue reading.
Full circle on the ice—Eden Milan rides aboard the Mary B, the same legendary iceboat her great-grandfather, Carl Bernard, once raced to victory.
Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association 2025 Regatta Results & Photos
Don Ward Flying Start trophy. Photo Gretchen Dorian.
RESULTS
The 2025 Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association (WSSA) Regatta took place on Lake Winnebago in Fond du Lac, WI February 1 – 2.
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer Andy Gratton shared, “We had the first race for the Don Ward Flying Start Trophy, to be sailed for by D stern steerers only. Joe Terry is the winner.”
Photos: Gretchen Dorian
Capturing the Action: WSSA Regatta on Lake Winnebago
2025 Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association Regatta on Lake Winnebago, Fond du Lac, WI. Photo by Will Johnston
The Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association (WSSA) Regatta concludes today on Lake Winnebago, where classic stern-steerers have been racing in excellent conditions. With the 2025 DN World Championship also starting today, the lake is bustling with activity, making it the world’s busiest spot for ice sailing.
Check out the photo gallery from the WSSA Regatta here: Will Johnston WSSA Photo Gallery
Stay tuned for updates as DN racing gets underway!
WSSA UPDATE: First Race Starts at 9:30 AM Saturday, Feb 1
Stern-Steerers at the 2025 Northwest- Photo by Rob Resnick Check out his Northwest Gallery here.
ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION
Via WSSA Secretary/Treasurer Andy Gratton
The starting time for the first race of the 2025 Wisconsin Sterns Steerers Association regatta on Saturday, February 1 will be at 9:30 AM.
Action Captured: Rob Resnick’s 2025 Northwest Photos
Powered by the Wind: ROSEMARY on Lake Winnebago and a field of windmills in the distance. Photo: Rob Resnick.
Once again, Rob Resnick of Revelations of Design joined us on the ice to capture the Northwest Regatta. Rob is a familiar presence at our regattas, often braving the elements to document the speed and beauty of iceboat racing.
This year was no exception. Rob spent all day Friday on the ice with us, despite the cold, and his dedication resulted in an impressive collection of photos. It was hard to pick a favorite because they’re all so good, but as an example, above is a screenshot of the ROSEMARY with windmills in the background—just one of many memorable shots.
Rob’s photos are available for purchase. Check out his gallery and support his work.
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
***NOTICE*** Due to the high cost of “snail” mailing newsletters it is encouraged that you send in your $20 dues and an e-mail address. If not, your name MAY be removed from the mailing list. If you are no longer interested in receiving the newsletter please respond or email to Andy Gratton