Monotype XV European Championship

All boats and equipment are measured before the regatta. Photo: Jaak Nirgi
While North America’s Stern Steerers wait for regatta conditions, focus your attention to across the pond where the Monotype XV European Championship racing begins tomorrow on Lake Vortsjarv in Estonia. The boats arrived today for registration, equipment inspection, practice racing (no wind though) and the opening ceremony. Stern steerer sailors Mike Peters and Erich Schloemer made the trip over for a Monotype XV regatta several years ago and competed in a borrowed boat. Monotype XVs are the most popular one-design Stern Steerer class in Europe.
From the Monotype XV 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 The bronze runners have been replaced by runners in stainless steel.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.
Data: Sail area 15 m2, length=7.5 m, width 4.2 m and mast height 7.2 m. Minimum weight 205 Kg. Crew 1-2 persons. Read more.
Regatta Watch: WSSA Postponed
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to March 16 and 17, 2019. The next update will be Sunday, March 10. Check back here at that time. Still too much snow on the lakes though I heard Lake St. Claire might be good.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
Waiting with NORA

“When I grow up”
A splendid picture from Uppsala in Sweden with the famed historic ice yacht NORA and an Ice Optimist as they wait together for the wind to come up.
Regatta Watch: WSSA Postponed
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to March 9 and 10, 2019. The next update will be Sunday, March 3. Check back here at that time. Still too much snow on the lake although the ice on the roads might work for us.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
Regatta Watch: WSSA Postponed
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to March 2 and 3, 2019. The next update will be Sunday, February 24. Check back here at that time. Still too much snow, shell ice, and roughness.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
Regatta Watch: WSSA Postponed

Joe Terry V36 at the tiller of his Class D Stern Steerer LACINDA MAE at the 2019 Northwest Regatta on Lake Pepin in MN Photo: Pat Heppert
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to February 23 and 24, 2019. The next update will be Sunday, February 17. Check back here at that time. Too much snow, shell ice, and roughness.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
Regatta Watch: WSSA Postponed
Thank you Thomas Olheden for sharing these photos of this historic stern-steerer NORA of Sweden.
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to February 16 and 17, 2019. The next update will be Sunday, February 10. Check back here at that time.
Winnebago was totally covered in 6″ of snow yesterday with large drifts. Today it is 90% clear with 2″ to 6″ deep water on the ice. Conditions are changing rapidly, we may be able to sail soon!
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
Windsurfing Championships @ Fond du Lac – Feb 5-10

Andy Gratton & WISCONSIN enjoying the festivities at the 2015 WISSA on Lake Winnebago
While we wait for slightly warmer weather and the great Zamboni to arrive, George Gerhardt passes along news of an event that will keep our winter instincts sharp, the WISSA Windsurfing Championships on Lake Winnebago at Fond du Lac. Not only is there windsurfing, it’s also the Sturgeon Spectacular, a big celebration of winter. Check it all out here.
February in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin can only mean one thing. Sturgeon Spectacular. We will be celebrating our 4th year in 2019 and will be welcoming back the Ice & Snow Sailing World Championships presented by Alliant Energy, The Wisconsin State Snow Sculpting Competition, Boogie & the Yo-Yo’z, Running of the Sturgeon Parade, an outdoor curling competition, the Inaugural Sturgeon Spearing and Beering event at Lakeside Park presented by Lakefront Brewery, and much, much more! Read more.
“Graceful Boats” of the Northwest
Enjoy the artistry of how iceboats look from an eagle’s point of view. Thank you Steve Brown for sharing your video of 2019 Northwest regatta on Lake Pepin.
Regatta Watch: WSSA Postponed

Photo: Gretchen Dorian
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to February 9 and 10, 2019. The next update will be Sunday, February 3. Check back here at that time.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
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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