3/2/2026 | USA | general | ✓ Verified - cbsnews.com

Setting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin

#Iceboating #Wisconsin #Noel Brennan #CBS News #Winter Sports #Frozen Lake #Ice Yachting

📌 Key Takeaways

CBS News' Noel Brennan reported on iceboating in Wisconsin.
Iceboats use runners to glide across frozen lakes, reducing friction.
The sport allows vessels to travel faster than the wind speed.
Wisconsin's frozen lakes provide ideal conditions for winter ice sailing.

📖 Full Retelling

CBS News correspondent Noel Brennan recently traveled to a frozen lake in Wisconsin to experience and report on the thrill of ice sailing, a high-speed winter sport popular in the region. Brennan's report highlights the unique activity that takes place when the state's abundant lakes freeze solid, providing a vast, natural track for wind-powered vessels. The segment was produced to showcase how residents and enthusiasts embrace the harsh winter conditions to engage in this exhilarating outdoor pursuit. Iceboating, distinct from traditional sailing, utilizes specialized crafts equipped with sharp metal runners or skates rather than a keel, allowing them to glide smoothly across the hard-packed ice. This configuration drastically reduces drag compared to a hull moving through water, permitting the boats to accelerate rapidly and often reach speeds that significantly exceed the prevailing wind velocity. The sport requires a high degree of skill, as sailors must balance the boat while managing the sails to harness the gusts sweeping across the frozen landscape, all while navigating the varying texture of the ice surface. Wisconsin is widely recognized as a premier destination for this sport due to its reliable freezing temperatures and extensive lake systems. During the feature, Brennan took the helm of an iceboat to demonstrate the intense focus and physical responsiveness required to control the vessel. The report not only captures the adrenaline of moving at highway speeds on ice but also illustrates the stark beauty of the Midwest's winter environment, turning a frozen body of water into a bustling arena for adventure and competition.

🏷️ Themes

Winter Sports, Wisconsin, Ice Sailing, Outdoor Recreation

📚 Related People & Topics

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U.S. state

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CBS News

News division of the American television and radio service CBS

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