From left, Maureen Bohleber and Lars Barber in Nites, Mike Ripp, Skip Dieball, and Daniel Hearn in Renegades
Skeeters, Renegades, and Nites gathered on Friday for what possibly was the last day of racing on Lake Monona. Saturday’s record 1.2″ of rain, high winds, and forecasted warm temperatures may have put an end to the season here, but we’ll check to make sure of that.
Ken Whitehorse and Paul Krueger raced nine times in close match racing style. Ken told me, “Paul wanted to go for a record-breaking ten races, but I was the voice of reason and said we have to get the boats home.” Thanks Ken and Paul for getting us out there on Thursday and Friday .Always a pleasure to see the familiar red Renegade #11, with Mike Ripp at the helm, back on Lake Monona.
Taking advantage of our proximity to downtown Madison, Scott hauled us in the ATV trailer to the shore. We clambered up the sea wall, walked across the street, and had iceboaters lunch.
Lake Monona has been perfect for us this season, generating more interest in our sport and reintroducing Madisonians to the reality that we’ve been sailing these hard waters since the 1870s.
Via Greg Whitehorse, “I think Iceboating lends itself well to Photoshopping some photos. Played around with this one from today’s setup, on Lake Monona, on my phone. Ken Whitehorse M-197, Paul Krueger M-165.”
Skeeter sailors Ken Whitehorse and Paul Krueger rallied the 4LIYC troops to Lake Monona on Thursday for some spring sailing. Renegaders Mike Ripp and Greg Whitehorse joined them, and more boats are setting up this morning for what could be the last day of sailing on Lake Monona. 61F on Saturday with a half-inch of rain could take out the landings. So get out there today to enjoy the best lake we’ve had this season.
Today and tomorrow (March 3 – 4) are good days to call in sick “iceboating” and get to Lake Monona. 4LIYC Skeeters and some Renegades are launching out of the Olin Park landing today for what may be the last two days of sailing for the season here. They will take boats off on Friday because of the rain forecasted for Saturday. Ken Whitehorse reports that you can easily back trailers on the ice, and the landing is level. (The club does have a week day racing series, so please keep track of the scoring.)
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada ice sailors usually open and close the ice sailing season in North America. While most of us in the U.S. are turning our attention to soft water and off-season projects, Mike Madge continues to sail well into April, the perfect time to spread the iceboating creed when he actively works on getting new people to try the sport.
No matter what time of year, respect and caution are always part of ice sailing. Spring sailing can be tricky, and NEIYA Vice Commodore Jay Whitehair explains his common sense decision-making process when faced with marginal conditions. Read it here.
(Tip of the Helmet Mike Peters.)
WISCONSIN (Andy Gratton), SLICK CHICK (Mike Kroll), and ACE OF SPADES, (Mike Peters) on Little Bay de Noc, Escanaba, MI Photo: Mike Peters
Nite sailor Terry Reynolds has been keeping a close watch on his home ice at Little Bay de Noc in Escanaba, Michigan, and the weeks of waiting paid off this weekend. The assembled iceboats enjoyed one of those rare days Terry and the other sailors will be talking about for a while, ice sailing at a temperature of 60 F! Mike Peters sent this photo and reported that they had many rides and a great day of sailing. Below zero F night-time temperatures, this coming week could keep that sheet going for a few more days, so it might entirely not be the last call.
UPDATE: Drone footage from the day.
