Western Region Commodore Chris Berger, Hal Bowman, and Pete Johns
Practice Day and Opening Ceremonies
The slush on Lake Kegonsa finally hardened up, and competitors took advantage of a practice day on Saturday, January 21, 2023. The surface was rougher than earlier in the week but sailable. The Toledo Ice Yacht sailors rated it as a “Point Place 8” (the Point Place grading scale is weighted heavily towards the positive.)
Over 100 competitors and area iceboaters attended the opening ceremony in downtown Madison. Hal Bowman US1277 and Pete Johns US2360, who sailed at the first World Championship in Gull Lake in 1973, represented the United States during the opening ceremony.
A half-inch of snow fell overnight. NOAA is forecasting light winds. Skipper’s meeting at 9 AM followed by the first qualifier at 10 AM.
We are pleased to have Cathy Firmbach as our official event photographer. (Ann Suslova was unable to attend.) Cathy is a DN sailor and an experienced DN regatta photographer. She’ll provide daily photos and will have pictures available for purchase.
