2026 WESTERN REGION REGATTA STATUS AND REGISTRATION
The DN Western Region Championship has not yet been called on.
Registration will open once a regatta location is selected and officially confirmed. Updates on ice conditions and the event call will be posted here as they become available.
Important Notes:
REGISTRATION
- Online registration is mandatory and must be completed no later than 5:00 PM CT on Friday.
- No in-person registration will be accepted
PROOF OF INSURANCE
- All DN participants must submit proof of liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $300,000. This is mandatory to compete. Please email your proof of insurance to secretary.idniyra@gmail.org as soon as possible. If you have submitted insurance for the 2026 North American Championships, you do not have to submit again.
WHAT TO KNOW
2026 DN Western Region Championship
Notice of Race
Sailing Instructions
DATES: To be determined.
LOCATION: To be determined
LAUNCH SITE
LODGING
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
- Friday: 5 PM CT online registration closes.
- Saturday: 9:00 AM CT Skippers Meeting
- Saturday: 10:00 CT First start. If fleets are split, Silver Fleet will start first.
- Sunday: 10:00 CT First start. Races can start as late as 3:00 PM CT, at the discretion of the Race Committee.
OFFICIAL NOTICE BOARD
Notice of Race
Sailing Instructions
LATEST WESTERN REGION CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS
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 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
2026 Western Region Championship Postponed
2025 Western Region Championship Photo: Gretchen Dorian
Via Western Region Commodore Tim Mower:
Unfortunately the DN Western Region Championship originally scheduled for January 3-4 will need to be postponed due to present lack of sailable ice.
The ice checkers have been quickly responding with detailed reports on ice conditions all over, unfortunately their reports are stating the available ice is not up to regatta conditions at this time.
Some of the lakes have not frozen over yet but should be soon with cold temps forecasted.
Will continue obtaining reports and hope to reschedule soon.
Have a Happy New Years!
Tim Mower US5871
DN Western Region Commodore
DN Western Region Championship Update
Photo: Gretchen Dorian
Western Region Championship
January 3 – 4, 2026
NOTICE OF RACE
Via Western Region Commodore Tim Mower:
Ice checks are underway in Minnesota, Wisconsin, the southern UP of Michigan, and surrounding areas. After the snow event that hit Minnesota and Wisconsin yesterday and moved east today, many locations received too much snow to be viable.
At this point, the Madison, WI lakes, Lake Kegonsa and Lake Monona, are looking the most promising for the Western Region Championships.
A final decision will be made Wednesday or no later than Thursday.
The next update will be posted by Thursday, January 1.
Get your runners sharpened. Or at least knock the rust off.
Tim Mower US5871
Wester Region Commodore
Welcome Tim Mower, New Western Region Commodore – Save the Date for the 2026 DN Westerns!
We’re pleased to announce that Tim Mower US5871 has been named the new DN Western Region Commodore. Please join us in thanking Chris Berger US5166 for his years of dedicated service and leadership to the class.
Tim has selected January 3–4, 2026, as the DN Western Region Championship Regatta dates. The Western Region includes Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan—and is home to some of the best ice sailing in North America.
This two-day, non-ranking regatta is the perfect opportunity to prepare for the DN North Americans or the Worlds in Europe. With typically two fleets, the Westerns are ideal for sailors of all skill levels—especially novices looking to get involved, meet fellow racers, learn more, and even pick up equipment.
Mark your calendars—we’ll see you on the ice!
2025 DN Western Region Recap
RESULTS
DN sailors gathered on the big ice of Lake Winnebago in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, for the two-day Western Region Championship. Sailors from Lake Minnetonka, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania joined the action.
This year’s regatta highlighted family connections, with father-son teams David and Matthew Kickhafer and David and Cooper Frost, as well as father-daughter duo John and Maggie McGary, all competing together.
Lake Winnebago is famous for being home to the majestic stern steerers, and it was a real treat to see the ROSEMARY and FLYING DUTCHMEN sailing around during the regatta.
The launch site was ideal, conveniently located next to Sunset on the Water, a bar and restaurant—similar to Minnesota’s 2024 Western Region Championship. Coming off the ice for a hot lunch and a beverage made the weekend even better.
On Saturday, the weather tested both sailors and the race committee. The forecast predicted light winds, and while conditions were tricky, PRO Pat Heppert set up a race course about two miles from the launch. With the help of Dan from the Fond du Lac Yacht Club and Greg Mulliet from Michigan, the race committee ran an efficient and well-organized event. Special thanks to Fred Stritt, who monitored the weather mark and ensured the racing went smoothly—we all greatly appreciated it!
The light breeze on Saturday allowed for two Silver Fleet races and one Gold Fleet race before the wind completely died. The scene at the launch that day was busy, with motorcycles and quads tearing around a track nearby, adding an unusual backdrop to the regatta. There were also powered paragliders flying overhead, adding to the spectacle.
A large group gathered for dinner at The Sunset to catch up on the day’s sailing. The evening was made even more special by the surprise appearance of Anja Fiedler and Holger Petzke, who traveled from Germany and are here for the 2025 World Championship.
Sunday brought a dramatic change in weather, with enough breeze to keep everyone moving. However, freezing rain presented a new challenge, making visibility difficult. The decision was made to complete two more Gold Fleet races and one Silver Fleet race to wrap up the regatta.
Many thanks to Ann Foeller who tabulated scores from our satellite office in Toledo, Ohio.
2024 DN Westerns Photos by Gretchen Dorian
Gretchen Dorian’s photos from the 2024 Western Regional Championship are now available! Check out her full gallery here: https://www.gretchendorian.com/2024-DN-Western-Region-Championship A huge thank you to Gretchen for sharing her incredible talent with the DN community.
2025 Western Region Championship Tentatively Called ON
NOTICE OF RACE
SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
Western Region Commodore Chris Berger has announced that the 2025 Western Region Championship is tentatively called ON for January 11-12 on Lake Winnebago. The tentative launch site is the Hwy 45 Wayside Park in Fond du Lac, WI. Final confirmation of the regatta will be posted on Thursday, January 9, 2025. Stay tuned for updates as we get closer to the event. Registration will open when final confirmation is posted.
Prepare your gear and get ready for some great racing on Lake Winnebago!
Current Newsletter
DN VIDEOS
Minnesota Ice Sailing Association
- minnetonka ice wed 1/6 January 7, 2026
Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club
- Nothing To Report January 21, 2026