Oskar Svensson, Tomas Lindgren look on while PRO Pat Heppert runs through the flight check with Tomek Zakrzewski as he readies to sail the C Skeeter.

2023 DN World & North American Championship AM Update
Madison, WI, USA
As we wait for our ice scouts to report back, we’ve heard from some of our Lake Kegonsa scouts. Please stay off of Lake Kegonsa today and tomorrow until Race Organizers approve the lake for sailing. Right now, the lake is slush, we don’t want it rutted up for the regatta. It should freeze solid fairly soon.

NEXT UPDATE: Thursday, January 19, 2023 by 2 PM CT/ 3 PM ET

Karol Jablonski P36 on Lake Kegonsa, January 18, 2023

Via Western Region Commodore Chris Berger US5166

We are postponing the site decision because of tonight’s weather system, a mix of rain and snow approaching Wisconsin. We will have ice scouts checking the ice in the morning. The next update is Thursday, January 19, 2023, by 2 PM CT/3 PM ET.

NEXT UPDATE: Thursday, January 19, 2023 by 2 PM CT/3 PM ET

Line up for the DN Western Region championship on Lake Mendota.

Via Western Region Commodore Chris Berger US5166

Incoming weather with a snow-rain mix is making site selection tricky. Even though it’s early in the week, the Governing Board and Race Committee want to inform you what we know and where we may be headed.

Here’s what we know: Sites under consideration now include Lake Kegonsa, Lake Winnebago, and Lake Petenwell in Wisconsin and Lake Pepin in Lake City, MN.

We are closely watching a weather system arriving Wednesday night and exiting Thursday morning. The location of the rain/snow line will be critical.  We are hoping the area lakes will be sailable after the weather event.

If too much snow falls on area lakes, we may hold the regatta at Glasgow, Montana, on Fort Peck Reservoir, the site of the 2020 North Americans.

Per the Notice of Race, the next update will be Wednesday, January 18, by 9 PM CT. Be aware that we may postpone the site selection decision until Thursday.

NEXT UPDATE: Wednesday, January 18, 2023, by 9 PM CT

Photo: Catherine E. Firmbach

The start of the 2023 DN World Championship is in just a few days, and you can feel the excitement in the air. Over 100 competitors from 5 countries are preparing to battle it out for the illustrious “DN Gold Cup”. It’s going to be a spectacular regatta, both on and off the ice.

There will be 4 organized events outside of racing: the Opening Ceremony, the Speed Symposium, a Raffle, and the IDNIYRA Annual Governing Meeting.

1. Opening Ceremony – Saturday night, January 21st
Come one, come all! Raise your country’s flag. Sing your national anthem. Catch up with old friends and meet new competitors. Join us for a celebratory kick-off to a great event. It wouldn’t be a world championship without an opening ceremony! All are encouraged to wear patriotic clothing, bear flags from your respective countries, and represent your national ice sailing team prior to the first race.
Location TBD. Likely indoors.

2. Red Gear Racing Speed Symposium – Monday night, January 23rd
The Speed Symposium is your chance to learn from a panel of ice sailing champions. They are the best of the best. The cream of the crop. The all-stars of ice yacht racing. Do you have a burning question that needs to be answered? Great. Bring your questions, curiosities, and good vibes.

Sponsored by Red Gear Racing. Location TBD. After racing on Monday. Duration: ~45-60 minutes.
Panelists include (but are not limited to):
Karol Jablonski (P36), 12x World Champion
Tomek Zakrzewski (P55), 3x World Champion
Ron Sherry (US44), 5x World Champion
James “T” Thieler (US5224), North American Champion

3. IDNIYRA Annual Governing Meeting – Tuesday night, January 24th
Location: TBD

4. Raffle – World Championship Awards Ceremony
This isn’t just any old giveaway raffle. This is THE raffle. We’ve got sails, runners, hardware, hull covers, runner bags, Harken Derm, and so much more! Plus, the world famous “Wheel of Desire” game is back and better than ever! Don’t like what you won? Spin the wheel for a chance to trade up to bigger and better prizes. Things may get crazy. We may have too much fun. You’ll want to be there to experience it for yourself.
Location TBD. Before awards. Beverages and Appetizers