If you missed last night’s presentation on the history and future of the Skeeter iceboat class by Henry Bossett, Dan Clapp, and Pat Heppert, don’t worry! The entire session has been recorded and is now available on our YouTube channel. Whether you want to relive the insights or catch it for the first time, dive in and increase your Skeeter iceboat knowledge. Watch it at this link: Skeeter Summit
The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club thanks Henry Bossett, Dan Clapp, and Pat Heppert for sharing your expertise and passion for the Skeeter fleet with our ice-sailing community. Your dedication to preserving and advancing the Skeeter class will have a lasting impact on future iceboaters.
Ken Whitehorse on Lake Kegonsa in March 2023. Photo: Ethan Brodksy
The awards season kicks off today with this virtual presentation for the Wisconsin Skeeter Association. The in-person 4LIYC banquet is this Saturday, April 22 at Springer’s on Lake Kegonsa. There’s still room for you to join the party! Please get in touch with Deb today.
Submitted by WSA Trophy Chair Ken Whitehorse:
Eleven years ago, Paul Krueger, Bill Dale, Tom Hyslop, and Ken Whitehorse formed the Wisconsin Skeeter Racing Association while sailing on Green Bay in mid-April 2012. We sailed six competitive races, yet “how would you know (copyright Bill Mattison.).” During lunch breaks, the racers discussed how poor ice conditions made club races a rarity. We determined that wherever good ice should appear in Wisconsin, we would hold sanctioned iceboat races as the Wisconsin Skeeter Racing Association. Wisconsin iceboat clubs carry letters on their sails: M for Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club in Madison, I for Skeeter Iceboat Club in Lake Geneva, V for Pewaukee, and U for Windjammers in Green Bay.
The 2023 champions are:
C Skeeter: Pat Heppert
B Skeeter: Jim Smith
A Skeeter: Ken Wahoo Whitehorse
A Skeeter Champion Ken Wahoo Whitehorse Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club, holding the Tom Hyslop Sunday Series trophy and coveted Bottle Trophy donated by Harry Whitehorse. The A Skeeter fleet sailed 32 races.
C Skeeter Champion Pat Heppert Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club, holding the Pat Heppert Wisconsin C Skeeter trophy donated by Damien Luyet. The C Skeeters held 5 races.
B Skeeter champion, Jim Smith, Skeeter Iceboat Club, holding holding the Little Brave M195 B Skeeter Trophy donated by Harry Whitehorse. The B Fleet sailed 15 races. First time champion, Jim Smith, out sailed 3 time champion, Steve Schalk.
Perfect day to sail an iceboat for the first time.
Same as Saturday, the breeze wasn’t there for racing, but perfect for pleasure cruising and introducing a 9-year-old to iceboating. “I can do this!” he yelled to his dad as he sailed past him. After taking many laps, he asked, “can I keep going?”
The Past Champions Iceboat Shop trailer has been loaded and in the ready-position. Ken Whitehorse and Paul Krueger brought their Class A Skeeters to join the fun, but rolling on a two-boat Skeeter trailer can be challenging.
Ken explains, “I was backing down the ramp as per the club website instructions. Suddenly, and with great vigor, PK yells, ‘STOP!’ I asked, ‘what’s going on?’ PK says, ‘my New Year’s Resolution is not to bust up more boat launch ice ramps!’ Yes, we headed straight back to the boat barn. Yes, PK is the front-runner for sportsman of the year 2023!”
Many thanks to all who pitched in including Paul McMillan, Jerry Simon, Don Anderson, and Pat Heppert. Thanks to those from out of town who joined us for the weekend.
PK says “STOP!”
Ken Whitehorse presents Pat Heppert with a custom made Wisconsin Skeeter Association C Skeeter trophy.
Via Ken Whitehorse of the Wisconsin Skeeter Association:
Wisconsin Skeeter Racers Season Opener Date: Thursday, January 13, 2022
Lake Monona, Tonyawatha Launch
First race at noon
For Skeeter Classes A, B, and C
P.S. I just found out about this myself! See you there. We must unite and win those trophies back from those Minnesota Skeeter racers!
Via Ken Whitehorse of the Wisconsin Skeeter Association:
The big boats are Thinking Ice. Via WSSA Secretary Andy Gratton, here’s the 
