Report and photos by Gretchen Dorian.

The regatta was originally scheduled for January, but Mother Nature was not co-operating, and was since re-scheduled numerous times, over the winter, for various locations in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. It was finally held in Green Lake, Wisc (just southwest of Oshkosh, WI) on March 15-17, 2013.

There are unusual but very important requirements for this regatta, as the boats are so large (up to 50 ft), that the owners be able to drive their trailers on to the ice, and rig them where they will be sailed. There is no way, these Stern Steerers and E Skeeters could be carried, in parts, from a parking lot down to the ice.

Ramps from shore to ice must be suitable and rugged for trucks and trailers, to go on and off throughout the regatta. The ice must be much thicker than what would be the minimums for a “DN” iceboat regatta. I was told we were at 15″.

The best part for me…I could “Drive” out to the windward mark with my own car. Many races I have to “drag” my sled with all my equipment, usually more that a mile out to a windward mark, and be prepared to stay there all day AND move everything if the wind changes and then drag it all back to shore at the end of the day.

Friday…lots of snow, some sleet, and not much visibility, but still able to find some great shots!