Western Region Commodore Tim Mower and the Green Lake Ice Yacht Club ice checking crew.
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Regatta Update – Arrival at Green Lake
Monday, January 26: Today’s Schedule – Heidel House
Mandatory check-in is from 3:00–5:00 PM in the Heidel House lobby.
Opening Ceremonies begin at 5:30 PM, followed immediately by a Racing Clinic hosted by PRO Pat Heppert, on the ground level in the Pleasant Point Ballroom next to Waves Pub & Grill
Parking note:
Vehicles with trailers should use the gravel parking at the top of the hill when entering the Heidel House property. Parking near the hotel fills quickly when trailers take multiple spaces, and several other groups are arriving today. Thank you for helping keep parking available for everyone.
Day 0 Report
Ice sailing demands quick reactions and a willingness to adapt. It is often a sport of hurry up and wait.
Roughly a third of the fleet traveled to Syracuse, Indiana, where we waited out the postponement. We were fortunate to have a beautiful resort in which to pass the time. Many sailors did get out on the ice in bitter cold conditions. Each morning, the breakfast room was packed with iceboaters looking out over Lake Wawasee, watching the intrepid Canadian crew and others sail in temperatures that never seemed to bother them. In fact, they appeared to thrive in it.
When not on the ice, much of the fleet gathered in the lobby, again overlooking the lake, waiting to see what Mother Nature had in store for us. On Saturday night, we filled a long table and shared a great dinner together.
By Sunday morning, the snow had arrived, and it was clear that sailing at Wawasee was no longer viable. Pat did his due diligence, taking the ATV out on the lake to scout conditions and make his report. Unfortunately, what he found did not compare favorably to what was developing at Green Lake.
Throughout Saturday and Sunday, the lobby buzzed with excitement as we stayed in constant contact with members of the Green Lake Ice Yacht Club, receiving updates as their lake finished coming in. Those reports ultimately made the decision clear.
Travel on Sunday was challenging. Roads in Indiana and Illinois were in poor condition and largely unplowed, which was striking to those of us from Minnesota and Wisconsin. After pushing through lake-effect snow near Chicago, conditions improved dramatically. Clean, wide roads carried us north, and by evening many of us arrived safely in Green Lake and at the Heidel House.
The Green Lake Ice Yacht Club was immediately on the phone offering help in every possible way, which we greatly appreciate.
As this is written, it is –6°F. Pat has already been back out to the lake for his own assessment and is setting a practice course for sailors who want time on the ice.
Adding to the momentum, the International Skeeter Association regatta has been tentatively called on for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and Green Lake is also hosting its Winter Carnival this weekend. For the next several days, Green Lake will truly be the iceboating center of the world.
We are fully embracing the cold and winter this week.
More updates to follow.
