Ken Whitehorse Archives 4LIYC Honor Roll
Ken Whitehorse has been nominated for induction in to the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club Honor Roll by Greg McCormick and Daniel Hearn. Congratulations, Ken, and thank you for contributing so much of your time and effort to this club and the sport of iceboating. The club will vote on the recent Bylaw proposal and Ken’s induction into the Honor Roll at our February 15, 2024 business meeting.
Never in the history of competitive iceboating has the name of a boat more clearly reflected the heart and character of its skipper. This is especially true in the case of Kenny Whitehorse, sailing his A skeeter WARRIOR. Kenny’s tenacious and competitive spirit was never more evident than when he won the 1977 Northwest regatta, claiming victory in an epic battle over the Skeeter Iceboat Club’s Sparky Lundberg. Kenny won the regatta on the last leg of the final race, with the lead changing right up to the finish. Those in attendance witnessed one of the sport’s most epic battles. Kenny’s cousin, Greg Whitehorse, reflected on his many years of racing Ken and stated, “I could never manage to beat him in the close ones.”
Kenny’s indomitable spirit could also be observed off the ice, squaring up with Buddy himself in one of Fontana’s favorite haunts: “Chucks.”
Details can get lost over time, but one thing is perfectly clear: somebuddy poked the bear.
Remarkably, Kenny’s most lasting contributions to the sport may not be on the ice but in the countless hours of painting, welding, building, tuning, and repairing club equipment and competitors’ boats. Ken has fixed or repaired four-wheelers for both the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club and the DN Western Regional Association. Without skilled sailors like Kenny lending their time and talent, safe and competitive racing would not happen.
Ken Whitehorse has competed and won against the legends of the sport, including Mattison, Melges, and Kruger. One of those legends is Kenny’s trailer and shop partner, Paul Kruger. Their teamwork has enabled them to sail recreationally and competitively into their 7th and 8th decades—a remarkable achievement. Ken has proven to be a fierce competitor and loyal friend and truly deserves to be inducted into the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club’s Honor Roll. Submitted by Greg McCormick and Daniel Hearn
A Skeeter Champion Ken Wahoo Whitehorse Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club, holding the Tom Hyslop Sunday Series trophy and coveted Bottle Trophy donated by Harry Whitehorse. The A Skeeter fleet sailed 32 races.
The 4LIYC’s annual fall picnic, when we will also honor the contributions of Greg Whitehorse to our club, has moved from Burrows Park to a private airport and museum in Verona. We’ll be picnicking in a large hanger surrounded by wonderfully restored cars, planes, tractors, horse-drawn buggies; basically, the whole timeline of mechanically driven speed from the late 19th century on up. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to catch up with club members while looking over the collection of vehicles. The photos below are a small sampling of the collection. Fly or drive to Sugar Ridge Airport on Sunday, September 26. The party starts at noon..
Date: Sunday, September 26, 2021 Time: 12 Noon New Location: Sugar Ridge Airport 7550 Sugar Ridge, Verona, WI 53593 What to Bring: Bring your own beverages and a dish to pass. We’ll have a ham for sandwiches, a tradition started by Jim Payton and carried on by Peter Lundt.
Greg Whitehorse sailing his Renegade BLADE RUNNER on Lake Monona
Let’s kick off the 21-22 ice sailing season in a big way. Please save the date for a special Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club picnic where we will celebrate Greg Whitehorse’s induction into the Honor Roll and our return to club social events. If that isn’t enough, the Packers play at San Francisco that evening, making it a quasi-tailgate event. More details to follow!
What: 4LIYC Picnic & Greg Whitehorse Honor Roll Induction When: Sunday, September 26, 2021 Time: 12 Noon Where:Burrows Park, Maple Bluff, WI
UPDATE: AUGUST 30, 2021: Location has changed to Sugar Ridge Airport
7550 Sugar Ridge, Verona, WI 53593
Time to catch up on some important Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club news. Life long 4LIYC member, Greg Whitehorse, was elected to our club’s Honor Roll at our February business meeting. Please join us at the 4LIYC Awards Banquet on April 18 where Greg will be officially inducted. Make your reservation for the banquet here.
In your internet travels, take some time to read or re-read The Blade Runner written by Greg, where you will find the finest writing about ice boating anywhere.
Greg Whitehorse sailing his Renegade BLADE RUNNER on Lake Monona
At the last 4LIYC meeting, Greg Whitehorse was nominated for the club’s Honor Roll, something that was long over due. Besides sailing and building ice boats nearly his entire life, Greg has been designing our 4LIYC graphics for many years. He also wrote a club newsletter for a while, peppering it with his wry sense of humor. In your internet travels, take some time to read or re-read The Blade Runner where you will find the finest writing about ice boating anywhere.
Jerry Simon and Greg McCormick nominate Greg Whitehorse to be inducted into the 4LIYC Honor Roll. Greg has been an active club member for over 40 years and has served as Commodore or Vice Commodore on multiple occasions. As club historian, Greg has collected, maintained and preserved club records, artifacts and memorabilia.
An active racer with a long history in both the skeeter and Renegade fleets, Greg competed against and chronicled the stories of the sports greatest champions. Greg highlighted the victories and losses and penned tales of triumph and tragedy in his newsletter: “The Blade Runner.” Greg captured (in real time) races, events and conversations that would have otherwise been lost or forgotten.
Greg has generously shared his artistic talents, creating several club logos in the form of patches, hats and glassware, all promoting the 4LIYC and the sport of iceboating. Greg’s contributions to the sport will be appreciated for generations.
