Photo: Gretchen Dorian
The 2026 Western Region Championships postponed.
Unfortunately regatta quality ice is in short supply currently.
Several lakes are close to being sailable for a regatta but recent freezing rain followed by snow this week has put the regatta on hold again.
Will continue to post updates as the ice checkers are constantly providing information.
Tim Mower US5871
Western Region Commodore
Cold steel. Photo: Anna Suslova
2026 Western Region Championship Update
Last week’s warm temperatures have reduce the snow followed by cooler temperatures over the weekend have made some of the lakes sailable now.
Actively scouting lakes in the Western Region and hoping to pull off a regatta for the weekend of January 17-18.
Will provide an update as soon as the ice scouters finish their scouting missions.
Think Black Ice!
Tim Mower US5871
Western Region Commodore
Waiting on conditions. Good attitude required. 2025 DN World Championship – Photo Anna Suslova
The 2026 DN Western Region Championships are being postponed.
The ice checkers have been scouring the lakes in search of ice and currently nothing is regatta quality.
Warm temperatures have changed the snow into slush and now need to have freezing temperatures to harden up the ice.
Colder temperatures are in the forecast so watch for updates.
With a significant weather system moving through Friday and Saturday, the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club will assess Lake Kegonsa on Friday. Whether racing happens this weekend will depend on conditions once the lake settles.
Tim Mower US5871
Western Region Commodore
Photo: Anna Suslova
As of 2:45pm CDT today, January 7, the DN Western Region Championships are still on hold.
Report from Lake Kegonsa and Marinette, MI today is that these areas are looking promising but now need freezing temperatures to make the ice Regatta worthy after the recent rain.
Sites continue to be evaluated daily.
Regatta Decision for this weekend will be made tomorrow, Thursday, January 8. Continue to watch the Regatta Website for latest updates.
Tim Mower US5871
Western Region Commodore
The DN Western Region Championship is a low-pressure way to get into iceboat racing. It is a non-ranking regatta, which makes it a good place to learn, tune your boat, and get comfortable on the line.
The atmosphere is welcoming, and experienced sailors are generally happy to help newcomers. If you have been thinking about racing but have not jumped in yet, this is often the best place to start.
The Western Region includes Minnesota, Wisconsin, the UP of Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana. Like all ice sailing, the event is completely condition-dependent and will be postponed week by week until suitable ice is available.
2013 Central Region Championship. Photo: Catherine E. Firmbach
The Central Region is getting warm weather and rain, no regatta ice. The Central Region Championships are under postponement, I will update when we have something.
Peter Johanson US5633
Central Region Commodore
The DN Central Region Championship is a low-pressure way to get into iceboat racing. It is a non-ranking regatta, which makes it a good place to learn, tune your boat, and get comfortable on the line.
The atmosphere is welcoming, and experienced sailors are generally happy to help newcomers. If you have been thinking about racing but have not jumped in yet, this is often the best place to start.
The Central Region is the birthplace of the DN class and includes Michigan and Ohio. Like all ice sailing, the event is completely condition-dependent and will be postponed week by week until suitable ice is available.
2026 DN WESTERN REGION UPDATE – JAN 5, 2026
With this week’s weather forecast of warming temperatures we will hopefully have some sites that will become available.
This regatta site(s) may not become available until midweek, at the latest Thursday, but we are actively checking ice and hope to have the regatta this weekend.
Please watch the website for updates.
Keep the rust of the runners!
Tim Mower US5871
Western Region Commodore
iceboat.org Minnesota Ice Sailing Association Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club New England Ice Yacht Association