The 115th annual Chicago to Mackinac race is taking place today, and among the competitors are several iceboaters trading the hard water for soft water. While the race’s website makes it challenging to see all boats and crew on one page, we know that ice sailors Steve Orlebeke (DN & A Skeeter), Ron Sherry (DN & Renegade), Skip Dieball (DN & Renegade), Dave Elsmo (DN and A Skeeter), and Ben Witman (DN and C Skeeter) are participating.
Steve Orlebeke is sailing on the J125 CALLISTO, Ron Sherry and Skip Dieball are crewing on the TP52 USUAL SUSPECTS, and Dave Elsmo and Ben Witman are aboard the TP52 LEGACY. All are in the same division and vying for the Mackinac Trophy.
Ron and Steve have a long history of intense competition. Their unforgettable duel at the 2020 DN North American Championship in Montana is one of the greatest battles, beautifully captured in a video by Sean Heavy. As they gear up for the challenges of the Mackinac race, it’s a perfect time to revisit that legendary moment. Watch it here.
Ice Riders on the Chesapeake Bay by Charles Wysocki
Here’s a collection of various photos that have been previously posted to celebrate the July 4th holiday. It’s a perfect opportunity to remember that two of the founders, Ben Franklin and John Adams, were acquainted with ice sailing. Ben even ordered a set of plans! But one ride in the Netherlands was quite enough for John Adams. He wrote to a friend, that iceboating “as again endangered my Health and my Life.” Enjoy the holiday – it’s getting darker earlier every day. When Ben Franklin Ordered Iceboat Plans Ben Franklin’s Iceboat Drawings
JD’s EAGLE, Class A Skeeter. Photo: Gretchen Dorian
Shown here from left to right doing their best to make the ordinary extraordinary are: Don Ermer, Don Sanford, Steve Arnold, Lady Liberty, Ty Reed and Ken Kreider. Ty Reed and Ken Krieder.
If you drop in on the Current Champions Fast Iceboat Shop, best to be prepared for anything, as Menekaunee Iceboat Club member Mike Derusha discovered yesterday.
Ken Whitehorse shares, “It was a momentous day at the Current Champions Iceboat shop. Our Renegade Champ Mike lent a hand with repairs on the DN Western Region ATV and equipment trailer, then loaded up 100 feet of Sitka Spruce, and finally, joined forces with Skeeter Champ Ken to construct a wigwam.”
Speaking of wigwams, I’m going to take the opportunity to plug what’s been keeping me from posting here as much as I’d like —helping to organize the first Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival, which will take place June 14 – 22 at San Damiano on Lake Monona. During the week-long festival, twelve artists from around the world will create wooden sculptures. Ken and Mike began constructing an educational longhouse frame that will serve as an exhibit space for Ho-Chunk cultural demonstrators and a wooden canoe. Hope to see you there!
Mike’s hometown, Menominee Michigan, shares the good news.
Renegader Mike Derusha is no stranger to the winter podium, having won numerous Renegade Championships, but one championship has eluded him until now. Congratulations to Renegader Mike Derusha for winning the 2023 Ensign Nationals. Results.
Mike Derusha pushes off at the start of the race at the 2022 ISA on Lake Monona.
“Henry is starting his own class and Jack is working on a new futuristic design.” Mike Ripp
4LIYC Renegader Mike Ripp is keeping his boys, Henry and Jack, busy in the shop designing iceboats this summer. It’s never too early to start thinking ice!
