The conditions were nearly perfect and Robert Cook was stoked to walk out onto the frozen surface of Lake Monona.
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Steve Cohan of Madison controls a kite while Bianca Micke of the Czech Republic uses a hand-held wing last week to practice for this week's 2025 Ice & Snow Sailing World Championships. The event on Lake Mendota runs Tuesday through Saturday and features more than 100 competitors from 11 countries.
Ed Schneider, 58, of Taycheedah, uses a sled with blades and a sail, while Paul Cooley, 58, of Madison, uses a hand-held wing and a sled to catch the wind last week on Lake Monona.
Mike Hall, 58, of Stoughton, Wis., left, and Paul Cooley, 58, of Madison, hold their wind foils during a break last week on Lake Monona. While Cooley uses a sled, Hall uses ice skates.
Bob Cook, 63, flies across the ice of Lake Monona using a kite and 238-centimeter speed skis. Cook's top speed is 68 mph, but on this day, Jan. 27, he hit just 55 mph.
Ed Schneider, 58, of Taycheedah, lowers the sail on his windsurfing board last week while practicing on Lake Monona. Schneider is among those from around the world who will be competing this week on Lake Mendota.
Bob Cook, 63, uses a wind-driven kite to ski across the frozen surface of Lake Monona last week. Strong winds helped Cook hit 55 mph, something he's hoping to top this week when he competes in the 2025 Ice & Snow Sailing Championships on Lake Mendota.
Photos: Prepping for the the 2025 Ice & Snow Sailing Championships in Madison
Bob Cook, 63, flies across the ice of Lake Monona using a kite and 238-centimeter speed skis. Cook's top speed is 68 mph, but on this day, Jan. 27, he hit just 55 mph.
World Ice and Snow Sailing Championships competitor Ronno Rumm of Estonia prepares his kite for a practice run on Lake Mendota last week. Rumm is one of 100 athletes from 11 countries competing this week in the 2025 Ice & Snow Sailing Championships.
Randy Faasuamalie of Monona lends a hand with the kite of a participant preparing to compete in the upcoming World Ice and Snow Sailing Championships during a practice outing on Lake Mendota on Thursday.
World Ice and Snow Sailing Championships competitor Bianca Micke, 27, from the Czech Republic carries her wing foil to shore following a practice run on Lake Mendota last week.
World Ice and Snow Sailing Championships competitor Bianca Micke, 27, from the Czech Republic, attaches her boots to blades prior to a practice run on Lake Mendota on Thursday.
Steve Cohan of Madison and Bianca Micke of the Czech Republic, competitors in the upcoming World Ice and Snow Sailing Championships, ski and skate across Lake Mendota on Thursday.
Ed Schneider, 58, of Taycheedah, lowers the sail on his windsurfing board last week while practicing on Lake Monona. Schneider is among those from around the world who will be competing this week on Lake Mendota.
Bob Cook, 63, uses a wind-driven kite to ski across the frozen surface of Lake Monona last week. Strong winds helped Cook hit 55 mph, something he's hoping to top this week when he competes in the 2025 Ice & Snow Sailing Championships on Lake Mendota.
Ed Schneider, 58, of Taycheedah, uses a sled with blades and a sail, while Paul Cooley, 58, of Madison, uses a hand-held wing and a sled to catch the wind last week on Lake Monona.
Mike Hall, 53, of Stoughton, skates across the frozen surface of Lake Monona in Madison, Wis. while holding a foil to capture the wind Jan. 27.
Mike Hall, 58, of Stoughton, Wis., left, and Paul Cooley, 58, of Madison, hold their wind foils during a break last week on Lake Monona. While Cooley uses a sled, Hall uses ice skates.
Lake Monona in Madison on Jan. 27. The 2025 Ice & Snow Sailing Championships begin Tuesday.
Paul Cooley, 58, of Madison, uses a wind-driven foil to propel himself across the frozen surface of Lake Monona on Jan. 27.
Ice boarder Dan Deuster of Fond du Lac sets out onto the frozen surface of Lake Monona during an outing with other enthusiasts of the sport Jan. 27.
Bob Cook, 63, gears up before a kite skiing outing on Lake Monona on Jan. 27.
Ice board enthusiasts, including Ed Schneider, 58, of Fond du Lac, Wis., right, gather during an outing on Lake Monona on Jan. 27.
