Opti Sailing First Night

"Forty years after 4LIYC legends Bill and Mike McCormick, David Rosten, Bill Hanson, and Jerry Simon set up their boats on Warner Bay for a cold winter's day of iceboating, their grandchildren gathered at the lake for Opti sailing. Friday evening, June 12, kids ranging in age from 4 to 14 came down to Warner Bay for the first night of Opti sailing. The very light winds were perfect for the novice sailors and it wasn't long before a water balloon and squirt gun battle ensued. In total there were about 35 kids and parents enjoying the lake which included Bill Sr., Jamie, Billy, and Micah Hanson; Kyle, Liz, Tyler, and Cayley Metzloff; Greg, Tami, Jenny, Kelsa, and Kylie McCormick; Tim, Aimee, Katie, and Molly McCormick; David, Tera, and Bryn Ostby; Ron and Thor Rosten; Lon and Donna Schoor; Bev, Kristin, Brian and Jacob Semmann; Greg, Hope, Meta and Fritz Simon; Rhonda Arries and Jeff Russell; Robert Krebs."
Greg Simon


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No Tears Regatta July 20th

Tyler, Cayley Metzloff and Meta Simon attended the ILYA's No Tears regatta on Lac LaBelle. The first race was sailed in light winds. All the Mendota kids sailed well and learned quickly how to get around the modified course they the saw for the first time. Candace Porter and Suzie Reese helped guide the kids around the course along with the help of the Pewaukee Sailing School instructors Lauren, Ally and Leif.

The afternoon sailing included three races in moderate to light conditions. The Mendota fleet all showed good boat handling skills. The kids competed against power house sailing schools from Beulah and Lake Geneva. Names like Melges, Navin, Porter and Frytag competed in the regatta.

Lac LaBelle did a great job hosting the event from a private home on the lake. The lunches were great and all of the kids enjoyed receiving a medal at the awards presentation. Regatta results can be found at the ILYA No Tears East results page.

Kyle and Liz Metzloff along with Liz's parents and the Simon family enjoyed attending the regatta.





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Opti Practice

Thor and Meta went out in high winds today Aug. 9th to practice before the Pram Power regatta. Thor sailed his new boat for the first time. The kids sailed around human bouys! Ron Rosten was the windward mark while Greg Simon was the leeward mark. Both kids learned quickly that hitting the bouys was more fun than rounding wide. Other highlights included a tip-over drill. Thor and Meta tipped over several times and learned how to right their boats. Each came proficiant on bailing an Opti dry.

Thor Rosten purchases an Opti!

Thor Rosten is a new owner of an Opti racer. The Rosten family found the boat on craigslist. It was purchased from a family that has a daughter that aged out of the fleet. She sailed the boat for several years on Lake Nagewicka. The boat is in great shape and has a crispy sail. The only thing needed is a boat name. How about Thorized! Please post suggestions for Thor to consider.

North Lake "Pram Power" Regatta Aug. 13th

Thor Rosten, Meta Simon and Kaylee Metzloff sailed in the Pram Power regatta on North Lake. They were joined by Barb Rosten, Liz and Tyler Metzloff and Fritz, Hope, Greg and Jerry Simon. The weather was perfect for this beginner regatta. 80 degrees and winds around 5mph. This regatta is famous for the give aways, the organized crafts and games between sailing. The crafts included face painting, tattoos, hat making, necklace making, drawing, painting and much more. A raffle was also set up and included Packer tickets, an Opti sail, and pony rides. The kids really enjoyed the off the water activities.

The sailing was spectacular. 34 boats competed in the Green fleet while 15 boat sailed in the Senior fleet. The on the water coaching from area sailing school instructors help "steer" the kids in the right direction. Results can be found at the North Lake Yacht Club's website. Meta, Kaylee and Thor each made their parents proud. Seeing so many kids on the lake enjoying opti racing was a thrill for all.

Special thanks to the NLYC for the great lunches and the ample supply of spectator boats. Honestly, there were more spectators than sailors!

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