Etched into the history of sailing

Elmer Millenbach (1912–1996) was a Detroit iceboater and who worked for the automotive industry whose inventive spirit reshaped the sport. His craftsmanship and leadership created not only a new class of boat but also a tight-knit community that carries his legacy forward. Sounds like a National Sailing Hall of Fame candidate to us… here’s his story:

In the world of iceboating, where courage meets craftsmanship and nature tests the limits of human ingenuity, few names shine as brightly as Elmer Millenbach. For over four decades, Elmer was the heartbeat of the Renegade class, a pioneer who not only helped design and perfect the boat itself but who also raised the standard of sailing to heights few could match. To speak of Elmer is to speak of a man utterly devoted to his craft, an athlete, engineer, and competitor whose legacy endures on every frozen lake where the wind carries a sailboat across the ice.

Elmer was, first and foremost, the father of the Renegade one-design iceboat. Where others saw tradition, Elmer saw potential. He refined, perfected, and promoted this remarkable craft until it became the vessel of choice for serious competitors. His contributions went far beyond simply shaping wood or riveting steel—he created a boat that balanced speed, power, and grace in ways never before imagined. He was not just a sailor but a visionary, and the Renegade stands as one of his enduring gifts to the sport. – Full report