MERRILL, WI - Snowmobiles on the water?

A crazy concept to some but one that intrigued Dennis Rhyner of Merrill.

Dennis Rhyner, IWA Points Champ - "I started going to Grantsburg about 20 years ago and watching a bunch of our friends and after going there for about five years I told my brother in-law we gotta try this once."



Amy Rhyner, Dennis' Wife - "My husband told me that "I really want to start racing" and I told him I didn't think it was a good idea, but after a little influence I told him ok."

Once his wife gave him the green flag, Dennis' snowmobile watercross career was off and running, sort of.

Dennis Rhyner - "We built a stock sled and went to the pond and sank numerous times."

Sinking to the bottom revved up Dennis' dream of rising to the top, so he joined the International Watercross Association.

Dennis Rhyner - "It was probably four or five years before I started doing ovals, the drags got a little boring to me and the ovals are a lot more fun a lot more challenging."

Once Rhyner made the move to the pro's he set his sights on a season points championship.

Dennis Rhyner - "Just to get your name on that big trophy may never happen to a numerous amount of racers."

In 2007 Dennis made waves as raced to the top of his class.

Dennis Rhyner - "It was right down to the last race actually I was within a 100 points ahead but I had to finish in the Top 3 to win the points for the year."

Amy Rhyner - "When he ended up second, I cried real easy and I was a regular basket case cause I knew that we won the season's points."

Now he can set his sights on taking the checkered flag at the place where his career began.

Dennis Rhyner - "I would really like to win Grantsburg and I always tell my wife that when I win Grantsburg I am going to retire."