by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 9, 2026 | 2025-2026, Home Page
Lake Kegonsa, January 9, 2026.
Iceboating is a bit like Goldilocks; we need conditions to be just right. Right now, we have too many ice holes.
Last weekend, snow on Lake Kegonsa kept us off the ice. This week’s rain and warm temperatures cleared much of that snow, but the same weather also created too many drain holes for safe sailing. Saturday’s forecast includes some snow, followed by colder temperatures. A few club members plan to check the lake again early Sunday morning to assess conditions and determine whether scrub racing is possible. Next update for 4LIYC racing is January 16.
Here’s the ice report straight from Damien:
The Zamboni has done a good job on Kegonsa snow cover. If not for iced drifts 1-1.5” tall, the surface would be an 8-9, but the inclusions bring that down to a roughish ride likely so 5-6. The landing is still good. The main issue is the holes! Any ice fishing hole from the last 2 weeks is open and growing. There are series of them that would eat a whole iceboat runner.
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by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 3, 2026 | 2025-2026, Home Page, ISA
LINK TO VIDEO
Lake Kegonsa has seen serious traffic this week.
Skeeters or DNs, no matter what, alignment is key.
Multiple DN World Champion Matt Struble arrived Monday to get acquainted with his new Class A Skeeter, recently acquired from Tom Hyslop. (Previously: The Bubble Expands) The boat is a Clapp build with a solid pedigree. Matt spent two long days in Daniel Hearn’s shop learning the boat inside and out, and quickly learned that sharpening Skeeter runners is heavier work and a much longer commitment than anything he’s used to with DN runners.
On Thursday, the Skeeter fleet welcomed him on Lake Kegonsa. Ken Whitehorse and Mark Isabell set up under the watchful eye of Paul Krueger, with pit help from Daniel Hearn and Damien Luyet. Conditions weren’t ideal, but they managed a few solid rides. For Matt, it was exactly what he needed, time on the boat, learning how it behaves. Ken Whitehorse sent in this report from the day:
New Year Eye Opener – Wisconsin Skeeter Racing
Results:
1st – M197 (Ken Whitehorse)
2nd – Matt Struble (sailing with an “M” on his usual DN number for now)
Mark Isabell – DNS
Two races were sailed. M197 finished first in both. Matt followed, with Isabell DNS. Speeds were good.
M197 carried 50 pounds of lead in the trunk, a winning setup that helped punch through the drifts. Tried to keep that quiet.
Excellent hard ice under the snow. A great day of tuning and racing. Best of all, the boats are safe and back on the trailers.
Huge thanks to Daniel Hearn and Damien Luyet for organizing the day. We’re lucky to have club members like them.
Matt was offered $100, a wheel of cheddar, and a Packers hat to put an “M” on his sails. Mostly kidding. Mostly. Also trying to stack our roster for the Ice Yacht Challenge Pennant of America.
Ken Whitehorse M197
“Now listen up, Enzo and Dash—if anyone tries to port-tack you…”
Midweek also brought a visit from the Geneva Nite gang. Olympic sailor Paris Henken, Harry Melges IV, Kyle Navin, and RJ Porter were among several Nites that rolled in on New Year’s Eve and ripped it up on Lake Kegonsa. Two future 4LIYC members, Dash and Enzo, made their debut on the ice, sailing all day with their grandfather, Daniel Hearn. Geneva Nites pushing off on Lake Kegonsa (short video)
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by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 18, 2025 | 2025-2026, Home Page
Link to ice report.
Grand Slam Open Called on Lake Kegonsa
Saturday and Sunday, December 20–21
Skipper’s Meeting on the course
Racing begins at 10 AM
Based on today’s ice scouting and a solid report from Lake Kegonsa, we feel confident enough to call the Grand Slam Open now rather than waiting until tomorrow. We invite ice yacht clubs and ice yacht racers to join us for some fun sailing.
According to the December 18 ice report from Daniel Hearn and Jeff Russell, the winds and Zamboni effect have moved through and the lake is setting up.
Ice report
Ice in the middle is 7 to 8 inches. Very windy. Rated a 6 to 7.
Closer to shore near Springers, ice is around 12 inches, with a lot of refrozen rough ice.
No issues with ice thickness. Some water remains in spots, but with continued wind, expect the lake to lock up.
Marks
Race marks will be set on Friday for those who want to get an extra day of sailing in.
Launch options
Amundson Landing
1928-2264 Quam Dr, Stoughton, WI 53589
Town of Pleasant Springs Boat Launch
2267 Williams Point Dr, Stoughton, WI 53589
Important
DO NOT DRIVE ON THE LAKE!
Observe all posted parking rules.
Food
Springers on Lake Kegonsa is offering an iceboaters special lunch, including hot soup.
Note that ice directly in front of Springers is rough.
Scoring
Participation in the Grand Slam Open is open to DNs, Nites, Renegades, and Mini Skeeters. (The A Class Skeeters like a bit more ice.) To be included in the official scoring, sailors must be members of the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club.
Membership
Please consider joining the 4LIYC to support the club and iceboat racing in our area.
Join here: Membership link
Best Place to Watch
Sit in the comfort of Springers on the Lake and enjoy your favorite beverage.
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by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 18, 2025 | 2025-2026, Home Page
Lake Monona: Hollywood with asterisks. Courtesy of the waterfowl.
State of the Lakes – Monona and Kegonsa
Lake Monona is Hollywood with asterisks. It looks extraordinary in photos and video, but the holes change everything. We are optimistic that Monona may begin to heal over the next few days, but today’s rain, wind, and temperature swing will be a factor in what comes next.
Perfect ice that you cannot sail – yet!
Lake Kegonsa is a different story. It has been freezing in stages and has likely been locked in for more days than Lake Monona. Reports so far suggest rough ice, but it has not been properly scouted yet. The rain today followed by a sharp freeze could bring Kegonsa close to almost Hollywood conditions.
GRAND SLAM OPEN TENTATIVELY CALLED ON FOR DEC 20-21 ON LAKE KEGONSA
Because of that, the club will spend the next two days scouting Kegonsa with the hope of calling on the Grand Slam Open. We know people are itching to get on the ice and go racing. The Grand Slam Open is traditionally sailed on the first sailable ice of the season, and it has been a long time since we’ve been able to hold one. We are tentatively calling the Grand Slam Open for Saturday and Sunday on Lake Kegonsa, pending ice checks.
This will be a fun set of races for Renegades, DNs, Nites, and Mini-Skeeters. We expect to have final confirmation by Friday afternoon and more details posted here.
This quote from the late Charlie Johnson fits Lake Monona almost too well right now. “If all our ice were glass, slightly wet, and all our air reasonably steady with lifters just where needed, sailing would be perfect. Sometimes we do find this, and it is worth waiting years to have. Meanwhile we must accept the more ordinary ice conditions, ordinary weather and wind, and gracefully accept snow, sometimes for weeks. Our ideal comes from time to time; the Great Maker gives only so much of the very best.”
— Charles H. Johnson 4LIYC member
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by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 10, 2025 | 2024-2025, Home Page
Happy Hour
Club racing is officially called ON for January 11-12, 2025, at Lake Kegonsa. Please use the Quam Landing for access. Remember to roll trailers onto the ice—do not drive vehicles onto the lake. First race starts at 10 AM Saturday.
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