Weather mark rounding: Bob Rast US1313 and Bill Bucholz in one of Daniel Hearn’s boats US5352.
Photo: Puckaway Ice Sailing Squadron
Everything came together at the last minute for another great Great Western Challenge on Lake Puckaway in Wisconsin. There were a total of 8 races in both Gold and Silver fleets over the weekend. Many thanks to all who competed and volunteered to keep the spirit of this fun regatta going.
RESULTS
Photo Kurt Meyer
Via iceboating.net
The DN Great Western Challenge is called “ON” for December 13-15, 2019 on Lake Puckaway Wisconsin.
Lake Puckaway is near Green Lake, Wisconsin. The Skeeter Western Challenge is cancelled for the season.
LAUNCH
Apuckawa Park and Boat Launch
Located at the intersection of Fox Court and Toepper Drive, east of Montello.
Link to map
LODGING
Mecan River Outfitters:
(920) 295-3439
Very limited availability.T’ween the Lake Motel
510 Underwood Ave Hwy 23
Montello, WI 53949
608-297-8715
Website
Acorn Ridge Motel
920-295-6533
http://www.acornridgemotel.com/
Bayview Motel and Marina
(920) 294-6504
439 Lake St, Green Lake, WI 54941
https://www.bayviewgreenlake.com/
Comfort Suites At Royal Ridges
(608) 567-4024
2 Westgate Drive, Ripon, WI, 54971, US
https://www.choicehotels.com/wisconsin/ripon/comfort-suites-hotels/wi133
Boarders Inn & Suites by Cobblestone Hotels – Ripon
(920) 748-7578
1219 W Fond Du Lac St, Ripon, WI 54971
https://www.staycobblestone.com/wi/ripon/
As we wait for news of the first unofficial regatta of the season, the Western Challenge, it’s a good time to review one of the earliest and best DN videos ever made by Minnetonka’s Peter Crawford of Head Injury Media/Penalty Box Productions. It’s of a Western Challenge at Buffalo Lake in 2005.
Via iceboating.net:
Currently we are checking ice. We have a lake in Albert Lea that looks like it will work. We are checking Buffalo today to see whats left after the snow.
Expect an update on Wednesday December 11.Any help checking Albert lea is appreciated.
DN Regatta Fri,Sat,Sun
Skeeters Sat,Sun
Please report any new freeze. I know Pepin was water on Sunday.
JD
2019 Gold Cup Champion Michal Burczynski Photo credit: Catherine Firmbach cefirmbach.com
The 2020 International DN Ice Yacht Racing Yearbook is now available for purchase. There have been some significant changes from the 2019 yearbook including the new EPIC and Regatta Management Agreements. IDNIYRA Europe has a new constitution as well.
New this year is the championship history of the DN Junior and Ice Optimist World and European regattas. Very interesting to see some familiar names who continue to have success in DN competition as adults.
If you have already ordered the yearbook, it will be shipped to you within the next 2 weeks.
Get your 2020 IDNIYRA Yearbook soft cover book for $17. 
Back Cover 2020 IDNIYRA Yearbook
More video from Buffalo Lake in Minnesota created by Jim McDonaugh on his iphone! Stay tuned for Western Challenge updates here.
Minnesota Ice Sailing Association Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club