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2021 DN Westerns Regatta: Chris Berger Wins Westerns
From left: Daniel Hearn Gold fleet 2nd, Chris Berger Gold fleet 1st, Erin Bury Silver fleet 5th and Top Rookie, Martin Malcheski Gold fleet 4th, Bob Rast Top Grand Master Silver fleet 1st, Hal Bowman Silver fleet 4th, and seated Bob Cave Silver fleet 2nd and Top Master. Photo: Julie Jankowski
Rob Evans Gold fleet 3rd and Mimi Collins
Proving that serving as a DN Class Officer is not a hindrance to winning a regatta, Western Region Commodore Chris Berger US5166 came out on top at the 2021 Western Region Championship sailed on Lake Michigan at Menominee, Michigan, March 6-7.The fleet enjoyed two days of excellent competition in a variety of wind conditions. On Saturday, the studs on Chris’ plank failed, resulting in 2 missed races. As the fleet lined up for the regatta’s last race on Sunday, Chris and Daniel Hearn US5352 were tied for first place. Chris won the last race and won the regatta by one point.
Quite a few novice racers took the opportunity to join the regatta, and we hope to see them back on the line at the next race.
Bob Rast won the Silver Fleet. He wrote about it on his Facebook page:
Great weekend in Menominee. Thanks to Chris Berger and Mike Derusha for finding a great piece of ice for the regatta
Light air on Saturday put me in third place and I had to figure out how to get in front of Bob Cave, who had me by six points; Pat Fitzgerald who had me by one point; and fend off Hal Bowman who was one point behind me A couple turns of the front Staymaster powered it up and heavier air turned it into thrill ride. Pulled it off! Very happy to win a second time never really expected it
Special thanks to Mike Derusha US2545 for scouting the ice, finding the landing, and building bridges across the heaves. Thanks to the Race Committee, including Chief Judge Dan Heaney, assisted by George Gerhardt, Fred Stritt, Julie Jankowski, and Mercedes Auger.
2021 DN Centrals Regatta: Eric Smith Wins Centrals
Nancy and Eric Smith US2500 with the 2021 DN Central Region Championship trophy.
Via Kent Baker:
Competitors and Race Committee at the DN Centrals regatta enjoyed a beautiful weekend on Elk Lake in Michigan, even with only one day of sailing. The sky on Sunday was cloudless and windless. On Saturday, after considerable delays due to wind shifts and needing to avoid an area of holes, each fleet sailed four races for a total of eight races.
Racing is simply magical when you are going full-warp speed upwind with the weather runner barely lifted off the ice. A sensation that in an instant makes you glad you troubled yourself to get there. Thanks to Ron Sherry, Richard Potcova, Jody Kjoller, Peter Johanson for all having a role in keeping me going these last few years. And, of course, my wife/enabler, Erica!
Big congratulations to Eric Smith US2500 on his first regatta win! Proof that one doesn’t have to be in the sport for a decade or more to beat the best!
It’s worth noting that there were 5 father/son duos present including David and Cooper Frost, Bill and Bobby Cutting, Ron and Griffin Sherry, Bill and Chad Coberly, and Dick and Brian Parker. Three of the youngest of the five are products of the Ice Optimist program.
2021 CENTRAL REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
2021 DN Central Region Championship Called ON for Elk Lake in MI March 6-7
The 2021 DN Central Region Championship is called on for Elk Lake in Michigan, March 6-7.
WHAT TO KNOW:
- No trailers on the ice
- Launch area has a pressure ridge in front of it which can be crossed to the north. There will be cones marking where you can cross.
- Registration is $30. Please have exact change.
ICE REPORT
The ice is clear, rated as a 6 – 7 as per Dick Wollam and Bob Gray, sheet is 1 mile by 2 miles. Ice is 6-7″ thick.
LAUNCH
Whitewater Township Park
LODGING (Closest to launch area)
Sleep Inn & Suites
Acme, MI
231-938-7000
$90
Holiday Inn Express
231-938-2600
3536 Mt Hope Rd, Williamsburg, MI 49690
Acme, MI
$100
There are other hotels towards Traverse City.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Saturday, March 6
9 AM ET Registration at the Launch
9:30 AM ET: Skippers Meeting at Launch
10 AM ET: First Race
2021 DN Western Region Championship Called ON for Menominee, MI March 6-7
The 2021 DN Western Region Championship has been called on for Menominee, Michigan March 6-7.
NOTICE OF RACE
Preliminary Results
WHAT TO KNOW:
- Online registration is mandatory. Register and pay online at this link.
- Proof of Insurance: Please either upload when you register or email to debwhitehorse@gmail.com
- Text Notifications: Competitors will receive updates via text messaging. There’s no need to download any app. Please plan ahead and bring your phone to the race course. A spare recharging battery can also be helpful and perhaps your reading glasses.
After each race is scored, a photo of the line up sheet for the next race will be sent out via text messaging to discourage congregating around the competitors and Race Committee. The line up sheet will be posted but competitors must observe social distancing. Please do not crowd around the line up sheet and Race Committee.
ICE REPORT
Western Region Commodore Chris Berger reports that there’s “ice as far as you can see” with numerous options for race courses. The ice thickness is 12 – 14″ and he rates it a 7. There’s a heave to cross from the parking area/pits to the course and Mike Derusha has built a ramp for easy access to the sailing area.
LAUNCH
Watermark Bay View Restaurant
Go through their parking lot and cross the lawn to ice.
LODGING
1.Best Western Riverfront Inn
715-732-1000
1821 Riverside Ave, Marinette, WI 54143
$75 Ask for DN Western Regatta Rate
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, March 5, 5 PM CT: Registration Closes. No exceptions.
Saturday, March 6
8:30 AM CT: Skippers Meeting
9 AM CT: First Race
Sunday, March 7
9 AM CT: First Race
Awards follow immediately after the final race is completed and results are tabulated
Sail Juice Video: Matt Struble Takes You Downwind
2021 Central Region Championship Update #6: Called ON for March 6-7
Via Central Region Commodore Rob Holman:
The 2021 Central Region DN Championship has been tentatively called on for March 6-7. Primary site is Elk Lake in Michigan. Final confirmation will be made Thursday, March 4 after 6 PM ET.
2021 Western Region Championship Update #13: Called ON for March 6-7
Photo: Rick Myslinski
Via Western Region Commodore Chris Berger:
We are optimistic about holding the 2021 Western Region Championship, scheduled for March 6-7, 2021. The warmer temperatures have cleaned the snow off from lakes in Wisconsin and the UP of Michigan and several sites are being scouted.
Sites under consideration are Escanaba, MI, Green Lake, WI, Madison, WI, Menominee, MI, and Oconto, WI.
Next update is on Thursday PM, March 4, 2021.
James ‘T’ Thieler’s Top Tacking Tips
2021 Western Region Championship Called On For March 6-7
Via Western Region Commodore Chris Berger
The 2021 Western Region Championship has been called on for March 6-7, 2021. Primary site is Green Lake, WI. Next update is Wednesday, March 3, 2021.
2021 Western Region Championship Postponed
Via Western region commodore Chris Berger
The 2021 Western region championship is postponed. Next update is March 3, 2021.
2021 Centrals Postponed
Via central region commodore Rob Holman:
The 2021 central region championship is postponed. Next update March 3, 2021.
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