The first day of the Western Region Championship began with a delay to let the temperatures warm up. PRO Pat Heppert dropped the flag at 11 AM for a combined Gold and Silver fleet lineup. Many lead changes made for exciting racing. Pat and I weren’t sure who would take the checkers until the last lap. Daniel Hearn found the shifts at the right time and won all three races in the Gold fleet. Alex Peterson was the top placing Silver fleet. As predicted, the winds built and with rougher ice made conditions too dicey for racing. There will be a skipper’s meeting at 8:30 AM on Sunday, and the first race will take place at 9 AM. The whole gang is getting together for dinner soon in Clear Lake, where we’ll relive each lap and talk more about our favorite subject. Many thanks to our fast tabulators, Ann and Bob Foeller who hold the fort over in Toledo.