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2009 CHAMPIONS

DN
Steve Orlebeke

Renegade
Greg McCormick

E Skeeter
Dan Clapp

Boe Skeeter
Steve Schalk

OA Stern Steerer
Erich Schloemer

A Stern Steerer
Erich Schloemer

C Stern Steerer
Jeff Seeboth

D Stern Steerer
Chip Sawyer

NIYA
THE HISTORY

Dateline January 13, 1913. Wisconsin State Journal.

"Representatives of Oshkosh, Madison, Menominee, and Marinette met at the Hotel Menominee this morning and discussed future of the new NIYA, Emil Fauerbach of Madison commended the Mendota Ice Yacht Club highly in their action in establishing a renewal of the sport and declared that he would do everything in his power to aid the new organization in every manner possible.

LF Porter, of Madison, a man who has been connected with several water and ice craft organizations, gave some timely and instructive suggestions in regard to the proper manner of conducting the association.

He proposed having two delegates from each club present at a future gathering and from a constitution and by laws at that time."

Welcome to the Home Page of the 2009 Northwest Ice Yacht Association Regatta.

This historic regatta was first sailed in 1913 in Menominee, Michigan.

Skeeters, DNs, and Renegades weren't even invented back then when the big stern steerers ruled the ice.

In 1913, Menominee skipper E. Peterson won the first Class A championship in "Square People".

Madison, Wisconsin's own Emil Fauerbach won the 1914 championship in the famed Princess II, a boat that went on the win the Hearst International Trophy.

Other notable Class A winners throughout the year include John Buckstaff of Oshkosh, Fritz Jungbluth and Carl Bernard of Madison in the Fritz (still being sailed today by Fred Stritt), Harry Melges of Lake Geneva (Buddy's father), Carl Bernard again in the Mary B (currently owned by the Haines family), the Debutante currently owned by Mike Derusha, and Buddy Melges in his Ferdinand the Bull.

The DNs were first recognized as a separate class in 1954 when Skip Boston won the inaugural NIYA DN championship. Other notable DN champions include William Sarns in 1956, Jane Pegel who first won in 1960 and went on to capture another nine championships.

Class E Skeeters first raced the NIYA in 1936 when Lake Geneva sailor Harry Melges won in Mickey Finn.

Elmer Millenbach took the 1949 trophy sailing his Renegade II back when the Renegades and Skeeters sailed together.

Other famous ice boating names who've won the NIYA Class E championship include Bill Perrigo, Howard Bosten, Frank Trost, Jack Ripp, Dave Rosten, Bill Mattison, Lou Loenneke, Buddy Melges, Bob Pegel, and Paul Krueger.

The Renegades first raced in the NIYA as a recognized class in 1958 and of course, Mr. Ice Boat, Elmer Millenbach won his first of many NIYA Renegade Championships in Renegade III. Elmer won every regatta until 1984 when the 4LIYC Jerry Simon took the championship. Other winners include Arlyn Lafortune, Loren Sherry, Jack Ripp, Tim McCormick, Roger Derusha, Don Anderson, and Mike Derusha.

2009 Northwest Ice Yachting Association Regatta

Click here for Notice of Race

February 27,28,March 1, 2009

Geneva Lake, Fontana, WI Map

Lodging Information

Fontana Village Inn

(262)275-6700
Map

Tell them you are with the Northwest Regatta.

Do you have photos? Email them to me.

March 2, 2009

Awards Photos Now Posted

Find them here on the Photo Page.

March 1, 2009

Photo Page

Here's a photo page. Check back during the week for continuing updates and photos.

NIYA Called Complete

10:18 AM: The 2009 Northwest Ice Yachting Association Regatta has been called complete. With winds gusting to 30mph, the Race Committee decided to hold the trophy ceremony at Chuck's. That's where I'm posting from now. Trophies will be awarded in a few minutes.

NIYA Day 3: AM Report

7:30 AM: Winds are up this morning. Point races are tight in most fleets which will make for a very exciting morning. The stern steerers will be making up their fourth race first thing this morning.

cake

February 28, 2009

Preliminary Scores Updated.

NIYA Day 2: PM Report

First Friday Skeeter Race:
Jay Gets Clapp

PHOTO LINK: 10:15 PM:Just returned from the banquet where we also celebrated Dan Clapp's birthday (with cake! Thanks, Ellen), checked email, and here's a link to Aerial Kite Camera Photographer Craig Wilson's photos from today. Just spectacular!
Take a look here.

That was of course yesterday's should-a-been headline but Jay was "cured" when Dan won the next three Skeeter races (the second one on Friday and two today). In the DNs, JD and Steve Orelebeke took two firsts. The Renegades saw Jim Nordhaus and Andy McCormick win, The B Skeeters saw Spark Lundburg and Steve Schalk win. I'm on the ice in front of Chuck's. Stand by for updated scores and photos. The atmosphere is really fun here this afternoon. Erich Schloemer won the stern steerer race today. The second one was abandoned because the wind died down.

DNs

Life long friends and competitors, Greg McCormick and Greg Simon in the one and two positions awaiting the start of the third Renegade race.

B Skeeters Spark Lundberg and Steve Schalk.

Here's Tim Murray who flew in from the Northwestern United States to watch the NIYA.

Dan Clapp finishes first.

NIYA Day 2: Early AM Report

7:30 AM: Some very light snow coming down this morning. Just enough to turn the lake white again as you can see by the web cam. Winds look good for today and it's always interesting to see which forecast will turn out to be correct. More competitors have arrived and are setting up their boats.

Mary Jane and I are kept quite busy with scoring which doesn't leave me any time to update the website during the day. I'll check back in tonight before the banquet.

February 27, 2009

NIYA Day 1: PM Report 1

Preliminary Results Now Posted.

6:00 PM: The flag finally dropped at 1 PM today on Geneva Lake for the 96th year of the Northwest Ice Yachting Regatta.Races moved along very quickly considering that the course had to be moved two or three times. Winds were brisk during the first round of racing.Unofficial results: First Race: First place finishers include Steve Orlebeke-DN class; Greg Simon-Renegade class, Jay Yaeso-A Skeeter class; Steve Schalk-B Skeeter class, and Erich Schloemer-Stern Steerer class. Second Race: Steve Orlebke-DN class; Greg McCormick-Renegade class; Dan Clapp-A Skeeter class; Spark Lundburg-B Skeeter class; and Erich Schloemer-Stern Steerer class. Off to the NIYA meeting...

Here's JD.

Skeeters line up for the second race.

Tom Hyslop pushes off.

Fred Stritt and Fritz.

NIYA Day 1: AM Report 1

View from Chuck's

MJ is ready to register

8:39 AM: Registration is open. The NIYA is under postponment until 12:00 because the wind is a sustained 24 mph and to also allow time for people to travel through some ice and snow. The winds are expected to drop a bit.

7:00 AM What a different world we've woken up to this morning.The cold north wind came through about 2:30 AM. The Race Committee will be thoroughly checking the lake for any drain holes early this morning. Off to registration after some breakfast.

February 26, 2009

NIYA Day 0

Just returned from Donna & Burly's NIYA eve party which was well attended despite the rain and fog. The rain is soon to stop and Mary Jane says "get ready for some excellent fast ice". We'll see you at registration tomorrow!

February 25, 2009

NIYA News

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday, February 26, 2009:
Thursday night, Burly and Donna Brellenthin are hosting a cocktail party for the early bird arrivals from 5:45 to 7:00 at their home in Lake Geneva.

Friday, February 27, 2009:
Friday registration at (no creepers inside) from 8:30 to 9:30 AM. The first race is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM with race two to follow. Chuck’s will also be open at 8:30 on Saturday and Sunday for bathroom use only! Bar and restaurant open later.
NIYA Meeting:
Time: 5PM
Location: The Waterfront, Delavan Inlet
408 State Road 50, Delavan, WI
Map
Please use parking lot to the north of the building.

Saturday, February 28, 2008:
The first race is scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM with every attempt to get in two races per fleet. Saturday a great meal is planned at the Moose Creek Bar & Grill, Elkhorn, WI. Dinner is chicken over rice pilaf, salad, bread, and dessert for $20 per person.
Click here for map and driving directions.

HOTELS:

Fontana Village Inn
1/8 mile to launch site
262-275-6700

Econo Lodge
5.45 miles to launch site
262-728-9399

Northwest Ice Yacht Association
N.I.Y.A. – 2008 REGATTA NOTICE
Northwest Called ON for Lake Geneva
Via Paul Krueger: The Northwest Ice Yacht Regatta has been called on for February 27, 28, March 1, 2008.
Regatta is scheduled to be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 27, 28, March 1, 2008.

N.I.Y.A. races will be held for Class A, B, C, D, E, Renegade and DN (NOTE: Class A races will be held separately at Wisconsin or Upper Michigan, if not held in that area).
The first race will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, February 27, 2008. The entry fee is $15.00 per yacht. Registration will be held at Regatta Headquarters on February 27, 2008 from 8:30 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. Starting positions for the first race will be by committee draw.
Trophies will be awarded according to Article XI of the N.I.Y.A. Rule Book.
Five races are scheduled for each class with three being necessary in each class for the completion of the Regatta.