LATEST NEWS
2026 DN North American Championship & U.S. Nationals – Western Region Confirmed (Jan 21)
Photo: Anna Suslova
The 2026 DN North American Championship and 2026 U.S. Nationals have been called on for the Western Region. Regatta check-in and racing will proceed as scheduled.
East Coast skippers who plan to attend may begin travel.
We are finalizing remaining details. The final lake location will be announced by Thursday, January 22 at 12:00 noon CDT.
Lodging information and launching sites will be provided at that time.Tim Mower US5871
Western Region Commodore
WHAT TO KNOW
2026 DN North American Championship & Nationals
Date: January 24 – 31
Host: Western Region
Location: Western Region
Regatta Information Page: https://www.idniyra.org/2026-north-american-championship
NOTICE OF RACE
SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
2026 North American Championship – Shortlist Update (Jan 20)
Photo: Anna Suslova
We have been monitoring ice conditions around the Western Region and beyond. Here is an update on the status of the 2026 DN North American and US Nationals regattas.
A location decision will be made by Thursday morning, January 22.
In the last few days several lakes have frozen over, or started to freeze due to the frigid temperatures.
Potential sites being evaluated are as follows (no order):
Lake Wawasee, IN
Senachwine Lake, IL
Indian Lake, OH
Watertown, SD
Green Lake, WI
Fort Myers, FL 🙂
Tim Mower US5871
Western Region Commodore
Rules Review on Saturday
As we prepare for continental racing in less than a week, sailors are encouraged to attend a rules review on Saturday, following registration, at the registration location.
Organized by PRO Pat Heppert, this informal session is intended for both newer sailors and veterans. For less experienced competitors, it’s a chance to clarify rules and expectations before racing begins. For seasoned sailors, it’s an opportunity to get your head back in the game, share practical knowledge, and help ensure we’re all aligned before the first start.
The time and location of the rules review will be confirmed via the event text updates used to keep sailors informed during the regatta.
2026 North American Championship – Ice Watch Update (Jan 15)
Photo: Anna Suslova
We want to share a quick update on planning for the 2026 DN North Americans and Nationals, scheduled to begin with check-in on January 24 and racing on January 25.
We have ice scouts actively monitoring multiple options and we are closely watching several large Western Region lakes as colder temperatures move in and freeze patterns begin to take shape.
Some lakes have opened back up following recent wind events, others are in the early stages of refreezing, and a few are showing promising temperature trends for ice making.
We’ll continue to share updates as conditions evolve and hope to have the site location decided and posted on the website by Wednesday evening, January 21.
Tim Mower US5871
Western Region Commodore
WHAT TO KNOW
2026 DN North American Championship & Nationals
Date: January 24 – 31
Host: Western Region
Location: TBD
Information: https://www.idniyra.org/2026-north-american-championship/
2026 Western Region Championship – Update Thursday Jan 15
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
2026 Western Region Championship – Update Monday Jan 12
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
2026 Western Region Championship – Update Thurs Jan 8 – Postponed
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
2026 Western Region Championship – Update Weds Jan 7
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.
2026 DN Central Region Update: Under Postponement
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 Western Region Championship Update
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
Lake Champlain Looks Worth the Trip
LINK TO VIDEO
DN sailors Eben Whitcomb US4775, Jeff Roseberry US5687, and Paul Chamberland KC5700 scouted Lake Champlain this week and found 4+ inches of impressive-looking ice. Sailors from Canada, Michigan, and the east coast are converging for a weekend of sailing.
Here’s a link to the report on the New England Ice Yacht Association website with details and contact info. LINK
Sailors are staying at the Hampton in Colchester, VT.
If you’ve been itching to get back on good ice in a big setting, this one may be worth loading the trailer.
Eight Bells: Jane Sherry
The DN community extends its sympathies to the Sherry family on the passing of their sister, Jane. Jane played a key role in the IDNIYRA, serving as a race committee member and scorer, and as IDNIYRA Secretary from 1996 to 2000.
Via Ron Sherry and Loretta Rehe “It is with a heavy heart that Loretta, Kevin, and I announce the sudden passing of our amazing sister, Jane Sherry. She passed peacefully in her own bed on Christmas Day while getting ready to join us for Christmas dinner. The family is planning a private interment at Resurrection Cemetery, and a Celebration of Life at Crescent Sail Yacht Club on March 28 between 1:00 and 5:00 pm.” Link to obituary.
Current Newsletter
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