Snow Got You Down? Tune In to Matt Struble’s Podcast Interview

Matt Struble US183. Photo by Anna Suslova.

With the 4LIYC racing on pause thanks to all this snow, it’s a great time to catch up on some ice sailing talk. Sailing Anarchy just dropped a new podcast featuring none other than 2025 DN World & North American Champion Matt Struble! Fresh off his dominant performance at Lake Winnebago, Matt sat down with host Scott Tempesta to break down the regatta. While his scores made it look effortless, Matt shares just how tough the conditions were and what it took to come out on top. As Scott put it: “I just chatted him up, and I can tell he is going to be a great guest!” The episode is available this afternoon—perfect listening while we wait for sailable ice to return.
Listen here: https://sailinganarchy.com/sailing-anarchy-podcast/  Or check out the SA podcasts on Apple, Google, or Spotify podcasts.
Stay tuned, and hopefully, the Big Zamboni will arrive and we’ll be back on the ice soon!

 

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!

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.

2025 Northwest Ice Yachting Regatta Report

From tradition to innovation: George Gerhardt’s classic stern steerer parked beside JD’s high-tech Skeeter highlights the evolution of the NIYA. Founded in 1913, this regatta has embraced 112 years of ice sailing history, blending the old with the new.

RESULTS
Lake Winnebago, Fond du Lac

The 2025 Northwest Regatta delivered a thrilling weekend of racing on Lake Winnebago, with a mix of conditions that tested sailors’ skill and adaptability.

Friday

Perfect breeze and efficient racing. After a morning delay in waiting for the temperatures to increase, thanks to steady winds, we ran 12 races using the inline course and the Grand Prix (Bart in DN lingo) scoring system. The day ran smoothly, with everyone taking advantage of the ideal conditions. The annual meeting took place at the Fond du Lac Yacht Club.

Saturday

As predicted, the winds built steadily throughout the morning. The Skeeters kicked things off with a wild and exciting race, with JD, Ken Whitehorse, and Jay Yaeso battling neck and neck for four laps. The Stern Steerers handled the increasing breeze, though Joe Terry’s regatta ended when a mast fitting broke loose.

The B Skeeters saw an equally close and exciting race. The DNs held on through the challenging conditions with some thrilling spinouts, and everyone made it around. Then came the Renegades, racing as the wind hit 30 mph, gusting to 35 mph. Ron Rosten led for two laps before battling mast inversion issues, allowing Mike Derusha to take the lead. After that, the Race Committee called it a day due to the extreme conditions.

Stern-Steerer sailor and Race Committee member George Gerhardt organized a fantastic banquet at TJ’s Harbor on Saturday night. It was standing room only, with our own building, a bartender, efficient waitstaff, and great food—a perfect way to cap off an intense day.

Sunday

Sunday brought the lightest winds of the regatta, offering a completely different challenge. That’s what makes a great regatta: a variety of conditions. The day started with adjustments as we waited for the wind to settle and made some course changes. The first Stern Steerer race was black-flagged after the lead boat missed the time limit.

As the Skeeters and other fleets rotated through, the wind held just enough for competitive racing. The final DN race started at 12:37, and the Renegades squeezed in their last race at 12:59—just in time to meet the 1 PM deadline.

Then, it was time for the Northwest tradition: the Free For All. Three E Skeeters lined up for an eight-lap battle, with John Dennis again taking the win. (In case you are wondering, the eight-lap Skeeter race took 25 minutes and 51 seconds.) Seeing a large contingent of the young Minnetonka DN sailors join us for the regatta was exciting. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and we’re pretty sure they had the most fun of anyone this weekend.

Closing

The trophy ceremony was held on shore, marking the end of a memorable regatta. Huge thanks to the Race Committee—Jay Yaeso, Andy Gratton, George Gerhardt, Bob Cummins, and Jason Thompson—for keeping the event fun and efficient. A special shoutout to the Friendship Fishing Club for maintaining the crucial bridge and sharing their lake culture.

Seeing the Nite fleet holding their Nationals out of the same harbor was also exciting. Watching the Nites bang out race after race on this massive piece of ice added an extra layer of excitement to the weekend. The vast ice of Lake Winnebago has attracted the DN class, which has scheduled their World and North American Championships there next week, with racing set to begin on Sunday, February 2nd.

The Northwest Regatta continues to showcase the best of ice sailing, from thrilling races to the camaraderie on and off the ice. Until next time!

 

A note from Ken Whitehorse: “What a blessing and a privilege to be among God’s creation of ice, wind, and blades of steel! Thank you to the entire iceboat family for assistance and caring for one another.” Photo: Shane Lewis silverfoxviz.com

 

Day One Recap: 2025 Northwest Ice Yachting Association Regatta


RESULTS
Lake Winnebago, Fond du Lac
What an incredible start to the regatta. The fishing clubs on Lake Winnebago deserve a huge shoutout for their efforts. The Friendship Fishing Club installed a metal bridge over a heave near the shore, making it possible for us to reach the good ice. Their updates on Facebook keep everyone informed, and their commitment creates a sense of community for all who enjoy the lake.

The ice was rock-hard and exceptionally slick—so much so that even driving was challenging. Cars spun out quickly if you went too fast, but having the ability to score the regatta from a car was an extravagance I’ve missed. Lakes like Winnebago, Geneva, and Lake Michigan out of Menominee are a few where that’s possible.

Before racing began, Northwest Race Committee member Andy Gratton joked with me about the traditional Northwest course length. It’s meant to be 8 miles, and he pondered setting a single lap course with marks 4 miles apart, a nod to the stern steerer days. Sure would make scoring easier!

The day was cold but sunny, with steady winds that allowed us to complete a five-race rotation in just two hours. We completed two full rotations for all fleets by pushing hard and keeping things efficient. Watching the clock carefully, we squeezed in a third rotation for the DNs and Renegades, ensuring no starts happened within 45 minutes of sundown. Everyone was ready at the line, racing efficiently in the conditions we dream abou. Photographers were out all day capturing the action, and we’re looking forward to seeing their work..

This weekend promises to get even bigger, as the Nite fleet is also holding their regatta here. The social aspect of the Northwest is always a highlight—last night, many gathered at the Fond du Lac Yacht Club for the annual meeting, and others made the pilgrimage to the iconic South Side Ice Yacht Club. The camaraderie for this sport make events like this so special.

Preparing for the skipper’s meeting. Apologies for the lack of photos—car windows aren’t the best lens!