by Deb Whitehorse | May 28, 2026 | 2025-2026, Home Page
NOT ICE!
Some people just can’t get enough of what iceboating brings.
The waiting for weather to cooperate. The endless discussions about runners (tires in this case), alignment, wood, ice (dirt), and speed. The camaraderie that comes from chasing conditions with friends who understand why any of this matters in the first place.
Several ice sailors, including 4liyc Renegader Damien Luyet, 4liyc sails-one-of-everything Daniel Hearn, DN Champ Ron Sherry, DN and Skeeter sailor Leon Lebeau, DNers Pete Johns, Ken Smith, Tim Ballard, and long time Montana dirt and ice sailors John and Scott Eisenlohr, and likely others I’ve missed, arrived near Winnemucca, Nevada yesterday for land sailing at the Jungo Yacht Club playa.
But Mother Nature had other ideas.
Rain turned the playa into an actual lake and served as a reminder that a dry lake bed is still a lake when enough water shows up. Photos from the scene looked more like an iceboat regatta venue than a land sailing site.
The good news is that desert conditions usually work fast. If the weather cooperates, the standing water should dry quickly and could leave behind the dirt equivalent of Hollywood ice. Maybe “Hollywood dirt.”
Sailors spent the lay day camped out in motorhomes, swapping stories and waiting for the playa to come back to life. Reports this morning suggest they’ve now found a way into camp and may be racing soon.
Hopefully we’ll be getting more reports from the gang out west as the playa dries and the wheels finally start turning.
First Rule: Find breakfast
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by Deb Whitehorse | Jan 12, 2026 | DN, Home Page, ISA, NIYA, Regattas, Renegade, WSSA
Wondering how can three things be true at the same time, three regattas (the Northwest, ISA, and Nite Nationals) tentatively called on for the same weekend?
For January 16–18, all three are in play and they are connected. Multiple fleets are trying to do the right thing without stepping on each other.
Here’s the flow-chart version, in words.
Step 1: Look North
The Northwest Ice Yachting Association Regatta is tentatively on for Lake Winnebago at Fond du Lac, starting Friday, January 16.
Classes sailing at the Northwest include DN, Renegade, Stern Steerer A, B, C, and D, and A, B, and C Skeeters.
The final call will be made by noon on Wednesday, January 14, after ice and forecast checks.
This is the first domino.
Step 2: If the Northwest Is ON
NIYA sails in Fond du Lac.
The International Skeeter Association does not sail on Lake Kegonsa.
The Nite Nationals continue watching Kegonsa to determine whether Nationals conditions exist.
Step 3: If the Northwest Is OFF
Everything shifts south.
The International Skeeter Association Regatta is tentatively on for Lake Kegonsa, but only if the Northwest is postponed.
ISA racing includes A, B, and C Skeeters, Nites, and Renegade classes.
The NIYA decision is announced at 11:00 am Wednesday.
The ISA decision follows at 11:30 am.
By noon Wednesday, it will be clear whether the ISA is on and where.
Step 4: The Nite Nationals Decision
Nite Nationals are tentatively scheduled for January 16–18 on Lake Kegonsa, for either two or three days.
This is the National Championship for the Nite class.
If the ISA is officially called on, the ISA regatta takes precedence.
The Nite Board will provide updates after 3:30 pm Wednesday, with a final decision by early evening, based on ice conditions.
In plain English:
Wednesday is everything.
The Northwest decides first.
ISA reacts to the Northwest.
The Nite fleet watches Kegonsa and defers to ISA if needed.
By Wednesday night, the picture should be clear.
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by Deb Whitehorse | Nov 30, 2025 | Home Page, ISA, Regattas, Renegade
Kyle Navin, finished 2nd at the Nite Nationals
Via ISA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk:
The 2025 International Skeeter Association and Renegade Championships have been postponed until December 12 – 14. Ice will be starting to form at our target sites of Minnewaska and Battle lakes tonight. The forecasts look promising for December 12-14. Next update is Sunday, December 7, 2025.
Steve Schalk
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by Deb Whitehorse | Nov 25, 2025 | Home Page, ISA, Regattas, Renegade
Steve Schalk sailing a B Skeeter on Lake Kegonsa at the 2023 ISA. Photo: Will Johnston
2025 NOTICE OF RACE
ISA HOME PAGE
Via ISA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk:
The ISA & Renegade Championship Race Committee is cranking back up to find the location for the postponed 2025 ISA. The conference calls restart on November 30th. There is a cold front moving through Minnesota as I write this, with none of the sites yet frozen, so the current snow is just falling in open water. The following cold will close up the lakes and allow for the search to begin. Minnewaska and Battle Lakes are favored sites with their launch facilities.
The ISA Race Chairman believes that it should be possible for a DN Western Challenge by December 5th, with the two following weekends available for the ISA. Of course the weather will dictate the outcome. We will post Sunday 7 pm updates starting November 30th.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
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by Deb Whitehorse | Oct 22, 2025 | 2025-2026, Home Page, ISA
Photo: Rick Myslinski; Class A Skeeter Tom Hyslop and Ken Whitehorse
ISA Home Page
Via International Skeeter Association Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk:
Greetings everyone,
While the 2024-25 season is still not complete, it is time for the fall dues notice for next season. Dues are $25 and are payable by November. You can send a check or use the on line payment on iceboat.org. There is a Paypal fee for that, so a check is your low cost option. Click here to pay dues online.
Remember that the 2025 ISA is going to happen in December most likely in Minnesota. News on that will come out each week beginning shortly after Thanksgiving.
The best ice in Minnesota is always in December!
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
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