Monotype-XV European Championships 2018
The Monotype-XV is a one-design stern-steerer class popular in Europe. “Designed in 1932 by the legendary Erik von Holst of Estonia”, the boat has an interesting history. The class held regattas held before WW2, followed by a long period with no international regattas, and then a reorganization in 1993. The Monotypes are sailing their regatta this week in Estonia. 28 stern-steers on the starting line is pretty impressive! Results
102.6 Miles of Winnebago Memories
Photo: Gretchen Dorian Andy Gratton’s WISCONSIN
Via stern-steerer skipper Michael Kroll:
A great day of sailing on Lake Winnebago! Andy Gratton and I set sail at 10 am this morning, sailing the famous Wisconsin, from Oshkosh on one of the best Lake Winnebago excursions ever.
We headed south to David L Lallier’s house in mind for our first stop. As we passed the wayside, we saw 2 sails near shore. We sailed into the way side to find Mark Wiener and Dan Tess sailing DN’s. After a brief chat we continued on to Dave’s house. Mark and Dan followed. We arrived at Dave’s house to find him working in his shop. After a slight arm twisting, he decided to come sail with us. He sailed Mr. Dass. His friend Rob showed up and sailed Ella. I was told both those boats are Don Ward built boats. George Gerhardt also showed up at Dave’s House. At this point George hopped in Wisconsin with Andy and I sailed with Dave in Mr. Dass.
What great fun. We all sailed the south end of the lake for awhile and ended up at the FDLYC. I took my spot back on Wisconsin and we parted ways. Andy and I headed north with the intent to make it to the north shore. After navigating the cracks and rough ice we ended up turning back for Oshkosh at Garlic Island just north of Oshkosh at around 3 pm. We figured we would run out of daylight if we continued North. We made it back to Oshkosh around 4 pm. I rigged the Flying Cloud and we continued to sail in the bay until after dark. We needed 10 more miles in the bay to reach our goal of 100+ miles. We sailed a total of 102.6 miles. After this long and fun filled day of sailing we walked off the ice to the SSIYC for a well deserved fish dinner and a couple of beverages. Words just can’t describe the memories this day of iceboating I will have forever.
WISCONSIN on Lake Winnebago in 2017 in similar conditions.
WSSA: The People
WSSA Secretary Andy Gratton shares these photos from the 2018 WSSA Championship that remind us that an important part of iceboat racing is the camaraderie.
In The News: WSSA Regatta Photos
Scott Ash/Now News Group
Nice to see the WSSA get some coverage from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Photo gallery here.
WSSA Championship Photo Gallery
Photos from the 2018 WSSA Championship sailed on Pewaukee Lake from Bob Borkowski
WSSA Championship Final Results
Wisconsin Stern Steerers Championship Regatta
2018 WSSA January 13 & 14 2018 "Results are final as of 12:48 on January 14, 2018" Overall "Sailed: 5, Discards: 0, To count: 5, Entries: 9, Scoring system: Appendix A" Rank Class SailNo HelmName R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 Total 1st A A10 Erik Sawyer 1 1 1 1 1 5 2nd C C 25 Mike Peters 4 3 2 3 3 15 3rd C C 2 Peter McCormick 3 5 6 2 2 18 4th C V 49 Jeff Seeboth 5 2 3 5 5 20 5th D D17 Andy Gratton 2 4 4 6 6 22 6th D V 36 Joe Terry 6 6 5 4 4 25 7th B S 3 M. Wiener/D. Tess 9 7 9 8 7 40 8th C W Mike Kroll 8 9 8 7 8 40 9th D D 7 Kurt Martinson 7 8 7 10.0 DNS 10.0 DNS 42 read more...
2018 WSSA Results Day 1
Photo: Michael Kroll WSSA 3rd race line up on Pewaukee Lake.
Via Skeeter Haven-Ice Boat Scoring Central Mary Jane Schalk
Rank Class SailNo HelmName R1 R2 R3 1st A A10 Erik Sawyer 1 1 1 2nd C C 25 Mike Peters 4 3 2 3rd C V 49 Jeff Seeboth 5 2 3 4th D D17 Andy Gratton 2 4 4 5th C C 2 Peter McCormick 3 5 6 6th D V 36 Joe Terry 6 6 5 7th D D 7 Kurt Martinson 7 8 7 8th B S 3 M. Wiener/D. Tess 9 7 9 9th C W Mike Kroll 8 9 8 read more...
WSSA Regatta Called ON
Photo: Jeff Russell; 2015 WSSA on Lake Mendota
The WSSA regatta has been called on for January 13 and 14, 2018, for the west end of Pewaukee Lake. Headquarters will be at the Sports Dock on Prospect Avenue, near the Pewaukee Yacht Club. There are two ramps available on either side of the building, the south ramp is a shallower angle. Head north once onto the ice. First race to begin at 11 am.
If you are looking for good ice and group to sail with, bring your stern steerer. If you need help setting up let us know. We welcome boats that would like to participate but not race as well as all the racers.
Some of the group have rooms reserved at AmercInn (262-646-3300) but the hot tub is not functioning. There are a few other hotels at the west end of the lake. Some of the group will be there on Friday to sail.
Best Western on Grandview Blvd, 262-524-9300 has rooms, tell them you are with the sailing group. I have a price of 168.96 for two nights for two queens. Hot tub, pool, breakfast. It is close to the lake.
Andy Gratton
WSSA secretary/Treasurer
WSSA Regatta Called ON
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta for 2018 has been tentatively called on for January 13 and 14. The site selected is Pewaukee Lake, west end. Final confirmation will be made by 1 PM Thursday, January 11. Check back here or call the Iceboat Hotline at 608-204-9876. Conditions are 15″ of ice with two ramps available. There is still some snow on the lake but it is expected to melt this week.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
Throw Back Thursday: The Day ROSEMARY Tipped Over
Many thanks to stern-steerer skipper Michael Kroll for posting a link to Andy Gratton’s story from this website on his Facebook page. Andy’s story about the legendary Oshkosh stern-steerer skipper, Don Ward, gets better with every reading. Michael writes, “I have read it many times, and when I see it, I can’t help but read it again because I’ve been in the back cockpit of this iceboat.”
The Day Rosemary Tipped Over.
© 2009 Andy Gratton
The 1992 NWIYA race was called on for Oshkosh. We had beautiful hard ice, except for
the typical crack in the bay. Nubs Salzsieder and I were discussing the upcoming
weekend, who was coming, etc. The usual plan for hard ice was that I would sail the
Timber Boat and he would sail Rosemary IV. We talked more about the boats, how Don
Ward had built so many, including the Rosemary boats, and how Don was always
interested in what was going on in Oshkosh, his home town. So Nubs called Don Ward
and told him to get on a plane and get back here from Washington State so he can sail on
his home ice. We didn’t really expect Don to do that, but a day or two later Nubs
informed me that Don would be sailing his old boat, Rosemary IV, and Nubs would be
sailing the Timber Boat. I was bummed because I had no other boat to race, so instead I
would help wherever needed.
read more…
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