Madison WI–Area sailors won top honors Including a first, second, third, and best overall youth at the World Blokart Championships held April 9-12, 2024 on the desert near Las Vegas, Nevada.
“This was a great showing for our Badger Blokarters against the best land sailors in the world,” said Jim Nordhaus, who has attended this championship every year since 2012 and got third in his division this year.
Blokart racing is divided by weight categories with men, women and youth racing together. They are also divided between the stock, production and tricked out performance karts.
Several area youth sailors did well. Alex Schmiedlin, 15, of Madison, won second in the production division. His brother Aiden, 17, was the best overall Youth in the performance division. “It was great to be part of this event and race against the best land sailors in the world,” said Aiden.
Newcomer Brett Hulsey also won his class in the production division. “This was the most challenging sailing in my life with winds up to 30, speeds approaching 50, and 180 degree wind shifts,” said Hulsey, Commodore of the Mendota Yacht Club. Hulsey has competed in world championships in catamarans and iceboating. “This was a great group of competitors and camping under the stars in the desert was amazing.”
“Blokarting is growing and a great way to enjoy sailing between iceboating and soft water sailing seasons here in Wisconsin,” said Geoff Sobering, Badger Blokart Club President. “We meet on the weekends in area parking lots and have spare carts available for interested sailors who want to try it.”
Deb Whitehorse of Madison was the Principal Race Officer running the races. “Deb did a great job keeping the races on track with challenging conditions,” said Nordhaus.
The Badger Blokart Club was founded 2011 to promote the sport locally. Visit their website at badgerblokartclub.org or Facebook page for information and videos. Blokarts are like Go-carts with sails can achieve speeds of over 60 miles per hour on land or ice.
