SPRING SCHEDULE
Spring ICSA Regattas
ODU Spring Women's Team Race | March 1-2
Graham Hall TR @ Navy | March 15-16
Azalea Bowl Regatta @ NC State (Wilmington, NC) | April 5-6
Spring MCSA Regattas
MCSA Open Team Race Championship @ St. Thomas | April 4-5
MCSA Open Fleet Race Championship @ St. Thomas | April 5-6
MCSA Women's Team Race Championship @ Wisconsin | April 11-12
MCSA Women's Fleet Race Championship @ Wisconsin | April 12-13
NU Spring Regatta @ Northwestern | April 19-20
Buckeye Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta | April 26-27
WINTER BREAK ACTIVITIES
Over winter break, Penelope embarked on an adventurous journey through the Rocky Mountains and the Tetons in a camper van. She skied across Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado, embracing the beauty of the backcountry. Here are some stunning photos she captured during her trip.
Over winter break, the ice on Lake Winnebago was the best it had been in years—a flawless 8 inches of black ice, smooth and solid, perfect for iceboating. For the first time in years, Caden and his grandfather dusted off their DN ice boats, eager to glide across the frozen expanse. One of those boats carries deep family history—handcrafted in the 1960s by Caden’s great-grandfather, Dave Butler, its runners still carve through the ice with effortless speed. His grandfather, Mike Butler, holds iceboating close to his heart, his face lighting up anytime the boats catch the sunlight. Carrying on his grandfather’s legacy, and his great-grandfather’s before him, Caden proudly continues the tradition, now sailing under the original name: Ace of Spade.
Caden took to the ice almost every day, pushing their newer DN to exhilarating speeds of up to 60 mph. From capturing GoPro shots to racing friends and hiking out over the ice, every moment was a rush. Iceboating isn’t just a passion for him—it’s an unmatched thrill. With nothing between him and the ice but a few inches of wood and a pair of razor-sharp runners, the sensation is pure freedom. For any sailor who loves the water, he can’t recommend the experience enough—sailing on ice is surreal, a breathtaking fusion of speed, precision, and nature’s raw power.
This winter, Seamus had the opportunity to spend most of his break in Cape Canaveral, Florida. While there, he and his sister, Kytalin, competed in the second M15 Winter Series event. This regatta was the largest M15 event to date, with 109 boats in attendance.
Racing began on Saturday, and the wind was howling. With a steady breeze between 15 and 17 knots, Seamus spent the entire day hiking. Four races were scheduled, so their small boat was packed with as many snacks as possible. After a rough first race due to a rigging error, they pulled together three solid races to finish the day strong.
Sunday brought much lighter conditions. On the way to the course area, the breeze was below minimums, leaving the sailors unsure if racing would happen at all. Fortunately, as the first start approached, the wind began to build. Their goal was to complete at least two races to drop their deep first-race finish. However, they were OCS on the first start, forcing them to fight hard for a mid-fleet result. As the breeze faded again, they knew the next race would be their last. Determined to finish the regatta strong, they aimed for a top-ten result. The final race was a test of patience and strategy in light, slow conditions, but Seamus and Kytalin met their goal, securing tenth place.
They finished 15th overall, with Kytalin earning the top female skipper title. Seamus is grateful for the opportunity to compete in such a large event and especially for the chance to race alongside his sister. He hopes they can continue sailing together in future regattas.
Over winter break, Jackie and Nigel took a ski trip out to Salt Lake City, Utah. Over the course of a week, they skied at Solitude, Brighton, and Deer Valley. Beyond the thrill of skiing, they added a touch of sight seeing into their trip with a ghost tour, exploring some to the most haunted locations in the city. After their long days on the mountain, they unwound with movies and takeout from local restaurants, making the most of their cozy evenings.
SAILOR OF THE MONTH
Quinn Kaiser
Our sailor of the month is Quinn Kaiser! Quinn is a junior skipper from Pewaukee, Wisconsin and is a majoring in mechanical engineering! Quinn just got back from completing a semester abroad in Madrid, Spain, and has lots to share!
Hey Wisco Newsletter!
I’m excited to be returning to Madison this semester to continue my studies—but not without sharing some of my recent sailing adventures in Spain and around the world!
Over the past few months, I studied abroad in Madrid at La Universidad Pontificia Comillas, a smaller technical school in the heart of the city. I also traveled extensively throughout Spain, immersing myself in the language, culture, people, food, and traditions. Of course, I made sure to include something sailing-related in my itinerary wherever I went—bringing my Wisco burgee along for the ride!
In mid-September, I traveled to Valencia the weekend before the TP52 Valencia Royal Cup, the final event of the 2024 season. I had the incredible opportunity to watch some of the world's top keelboat teams rig and practice—all while soaking up the Mediterranean sun on the beach.
In October, I visited Barcelona with my father and grandfather to watch the America’s Cup and explore the city. Gaudí’s genius in La Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell is truly astonishing—both are architectural wonders. However, the real highlight of the trip was being out on the water with my dad and grandfather, watching AC75s fly by. Seeing them reach speeds over 40 knots on TV is impressive, but witnessing it firsthand gave me a whole new appreciation for the skill and bravery of those sailors. We watched as Emirates Team New Zealand won the final race and saw Pete Burling and his crew hoist the trophy.
In mid-November, I traveled to Cascais, Portugal, to compete in the first event of the Melges 15 Portuguese Winter Series for the 2024-25 season. Huge thanks to Melges for connecting me with Vasco Serpa, founder of SailCascais and manager of the Melges 15 fleet in Portugal, who welcomed me with a big smile. I had the chance to race in over one-meter swells—waves that would be mistaken for tsunamis on Lake Mendota! Vasco aided me with some gear and a crew, and I had a fantastic time racing against some of the best sailors, including Portuguese and Spanish Olympians (or those in training), as well as recent SB20 and J/70 European champions. It was an unforgettable experience, and I made sure to complete a burgee swap with Clube Naval de Cascais for my Wisco burgee.
My final sailing trip took me to Dubai, UAE, at the end of November to watch the opening event of SailGP Season 5. With Madrid just a manageable six-hour flight away, I had a front-row seat in one of the most fascinating cities in the world to watch the fastest fleet racing circuit. I also had the opportunity to meet with some of SailGP’s hydraulics team and learn about the incredible engineering that keeps these boats “flying” above the water. My friend Luca and I were among the few USA fans in attendance, which made it all the more exciting to watch Taylor Canfield and his crew sail into the final race and secure third place—making our trip well worth it!
Looking forward to an exciting semester back in Madison and, of course, more sailing adventures ahead!
Go Go Quinn!
ENDOWMENT
Our Endowment fund is now LIVE on our website. As a club-run team, we have to organize much of the funds ourselves, and with your help, we aim to ensure the success of the Wisconsin Sailing Team for years to come. Linked below is the donation link!