The 2025 DN Western Region Championship is ON!
The 2025 DN Western Region Championship has been called ON for Lake Winnebago, Fond Du Lac, WI for January 11 – 12. There is a huge piece of old, black ice there. Ice thickness at the launch is 12″ and 8-10″ out on the race course. DNs have been sailing on Lake Winnebago the last two weeks.
Important Notes:
REGISTRATION
- Online registration is mandatory and must be completed no later than 5:00 PM CT on
- 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 2025 Worlds, you do not have to submit again.
WHAT TO KNOW
2025 DN Western Region Championship
Notice of Race
Sailing Instructions
DATES: January 11 – 12, 2025
LOCATION: Lake Winnebago, Fond Du Lac, WI
LAUNCH SITE
Sunset On the Water
N7364 Winnebago Dr, Fond du Lac, WI 54935
IMPORTANT: Do Not Leaved Your Cars Or Trailers In The Parking Lot At The Sunset Bar. Please Park Across The Street In The Surf Shop Parking Lot Or On The Ice. You May Leave Trailers At The Surf Shop Overnight. Let’s leave a good impression of ice sailors.
LODGING
Radison Hotel & Conference Center
625 W Rolling Meadows Dr, Fond du Lac, WI 54937
+19206384175
Comfort Inn
77 Holiday Ln, Fond du Lac, WI 54937
+19209331159
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.
2024 Western Region Championship: Not Done Yet!
2024 DN Western Region Championship
Notice of Race
Sailing Instructions
Registered Competitors
Via Western Region Commodore Chris Berger:
The 2024 DN Western Region Championship has been called on for Lake Minnewaska in Starbuck, MN, scheduled for December 14–15, 2024.
The International Skeeter Association (ISA) Regatta has also been called on for the same location. This collaborative event promises an exciting weekend of ice sailing for all participating fleets.
Final confirmation will be posted by noon on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Stay tuned for updates, and we look forward to seeing you on the ice!
The DN Western Region faced weather challenges last season, which postponed the 2024 Western Region Championship. However, it’s still 2024, and it’s time to try again in December!
Western Region scouts will be hunting for ice in hopes of holding the 2024 Western Region Championship on one of the following upcoming weekends:
December 14–15
December 21–22
December 28–29
If you registered and paid for the 2024 Western Region Championship back in January, you do not need to pay again . However, it is mandatory to submit proof of liability insurance in order to compete. Please email your proof of liability insurance to: secretary.idniyra@gmail.com.
If you didn’t register and pay last January, registration will reopen if the regatta is called on. Stay prepared, and let’s hope for great ice!
2025 Western Region Championship Notice of Race
2023 World Championship. Photo: Catherine Firmbach
2025 WESTERN REGION CHAMPIONSHIP
NOTICE OF RACE – Click here to download NOR in pdf
Dates: January 4 – 5, 2025
Location: The primary site is within the North American Western Region. (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, UP of Michigan, Wisconsin)
Stay tuned to this website for further announcements.
DN Senior Shuffle
Following the 2025 Western Region Championship, the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club is excited to try the Senior Shuffle once again! This fun, age-friendly regatta will take place three days after the Westerns, offering an additional opportunity to enjoy the ice.
Eligibility:
• Open to Seniors (50-59), Masters (60-69) and Grand Masters (70+) who will race under Shuffle Rules with one start.
• Open to “aspiring” Seniors (49 or younger) who will also race under Shuffle Rules possibly with a separate start.
For more information and to register, visit iceboat.org.
2024 Western Region Championship Update – Postponed
We are postponing the 2024 Westerns due to frigid temperatures and snow-related uncertainty. Stay tuned for the next update on Monday, January 22, 2024.
Chris Berger US5166 Western Region Commodore
2024 Western Region Championship Update for Jan 20-21
Photo: Hannah Noll / Harken
Due to last night’s big freeze, there might be a good opportunity for ice in southern Wisconsin. However, we are monitoring the weather forecast for next Saturday, which is expected to be very cold. We will gather feedback from the ice scouts with hopes of holding the 2024 Western Region Championship on January 20-21. The next update is Wednesday, January 17, 2024, by 8 PM CT. For those that have registered for last weekend’s attempt, please note that your 2024 Western Region Championship registration is still valid, regardless of location.
Chris Berger US5166 Western Region Commodore
2024 Western Region Championship Update
I would like to express my gratitude to all those who registered and travelled to Phelps, Wisconsin. Please note that your registration for the 2024 Western Region Championship still stands, regardless of where it is eventually located. It looks like the Western Region will be experiencing heavy snowfall this week, followed by a drop in temperature. The arctic cold temperatures expected next weekend should provide more opportunities for big ice. Next update is Sunday, January 14, 2024.
Chris Berger US5166 Western Region Commodore
2024 Western Region Championship Postponed
The 2024 DN Western Region Championship has been postponed.
Several boats tried to sail but there wasn’t enough wind to power through the 3″ of powdery snow. With Sunday’s light wind forecast the Race Committee decided that it would be better to postpone and wait for more favorable conditions. Next update Sunday, January 7.
The class appreciated the welcome from the Phelps and Eagle River area residents. We hope to return someday. The Senior Shuffle has also been postponed.
2024 DN Western Region Championship Called ON for Phelps, WI
Photo: Kevin Barta
WESTERN REGION CHAMPIONSHIP
REGISTER: Registration is Closed
DATES: January 6 – 7, 2024
LOCATION: North Twin Lake, Phelps Wisconsin
Launch: North Twin Lakes Landing Road, Phelps, WI. Roll trailers on please.
LODGING:
Best Western Derby Inn
US-45, Eagle River, WI 54521
+17154791600
$150 Double Queen beds Single Occupancy
$135 Double Queen beds Double Occupancy
Days Inn by Wyndham
844 N Railroad St North, Eagle River, WI 54521
+17154777025
Coady’s Point of View Resort
3932 Point of View Trail, Phelps, WI 54554
+17152044111
https://povresort.com/
SCHEDULE:
- Friday: 5 PM CT online registration closes.
- Saturday: 9:00 AM CT Skippers Meeting. 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.
- If you’d like to stay for the Senior Shuffle, please register on iceboat.org
NOTICE OF RACE
SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
Via Western Region Commodore Chris Berger US5166
Bob Cummins and I sailed Twin Lake in Phelps, WI today. We found 6 – 7″ of ice everywhere we drilled. The lake is covered in light powdered snow. We had no trouble sailing on inserts in 6 – 8 knots of breeze. There were slight bumps on some areas of the lake but it wasn’t rough.
2024 Western Region Championship Update #1
Via DN Western Region Commodore Chris Berger US5166
The DN Western Region Championship is set to take place on January 6th – 7th, 2024. We’re keeping a close eye on the ice and weather conditions in Minnesota, northeastern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. If you happen to know of any ice or want to help scout for ice, please let us know. Our next update is scheduled for Wednesday, January 3rd, unless we have additional information to share before then.
2024 Western Region Championship Notice of Race
Photo: Kevin Barta
2024 WESTERN REGION CHAMPIONSHIP
NOTICE OF RACE – Click here to download NOR pdf
Dates: January 6 – 7, 2024
Location: The primary site is within the North American Western Region. (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, UP of Michigan, Wisconsin)
Stay tuned to this website for further announcements.
Relive the 2023 Western Challenge
Relive last weekend’s Western Challenge on Lake Christina, Ashby, MN with an hour-long video from our friend John at Cool Videos and a photo gallery by Kevin Barta.
Current Newsletter
DN VIDEOS
Minnesota Ice Sailing Association
- main lake sailed Minnetonka December 31, 2024
New England Ice Yacht Association
- Off Season June 7, 2025