Western Region Championship Home Page

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.

Announcing the DN Senior Shuffle Regatta!

by | Aug 15, 2023 | , ,

Announcing the DN Senior Shuffle Regatta!

It’s the first, maybe annual, no-running regatta for the “more seasoned” DN sailors. It will take place the three days following the Western Regional Championships, hopefully on the same ice.

TENTATIVE DATES

  • January 8 – 10, 2024, the three days after the DN Western Region Championship, which is scheduled for January 6 – 7.

WHO’S INVITED?

  • 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 with a separate start.

WHAT ARE THE SHUFFLE RULES?

  • No running. Not at the start. Not during a race. No track stars allowed in a Shuffle race!
  • Starting positions will be determined, in advance, by random draw for every race. No one is advantaged or disadvantaged with a starting position based on their previous race performance. It’s all luck of the draw.
  • Racers must start with one foot on their plank, and are limited to five kicks.
  • Racers must stay in their boats unless they come to a complete stop during a race. In that event, a racer will have one additional 5-kick opportunity to complete a race. A second stop is an automatic DNF.
  • No more than 4 races which count on any one day. Scrub racing may continue after official races for any who are interested.
    Maybe we’ll award prizes…maybe we won’t. But what we do know, is that this is all about fun and camaraderie.
  • Oh, yeah. And that means no protests. We’re going to race like a Wisconsin intersection. “You go. No, you go. Ohhhh, please, I insist der my friend. Oh, cripes, tanks, der good buddy!”

OTHER DETAILS

  • $50 registration fee to cover prizes and extras
  • All registration will be online. If you’re tech-challenged, ask a youngster for help.
  • Because we’re so green, race documents will only be published online.

EVENT CONTACTS

’23 DN Western Region Championship Called ON for Lake Kegonsa in WI Jan 7-8

by | Jan 5, 2023 | , , ,

Max Dieball on Lake Kegonsa, January 1, 2023

RESULTS
NOTICE OF RACE
SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
Via Western Region Commodore Chris Berger

The DN Western Region Championship has been called ON for Lake Kegonsa near Madison, WI for January 7 – 8, 2023. Ice checkers found a consistent 6 – 7″ of ice with a dusting of snow, noting that the ice is in the same condition as it was January 1.

WESTERN REGION CHAMPIONSHIP
DATES: January 7 – 8, 2023 on Lake Kegonsa near Madison, WI

REGISTRATION: Registration is closed.
Note: If you have already submitted your proof of insurance for the 2023 Worlds & North Americans, you don’t have do submit again. If you have to submit insurance, please either upload when you register, or send to secretary.idniyra@gmail.com. Please don’t delay!

LAUNCHES: 
1. Springers Restaurant & Bar, 3097 Sunnyside St, Stoughton, WI 53589
You can park your car and trailer in the big lot across the street from Springers Restaurant and walk your boat to the ice. Map

2. Town of  Pleasant Springs Boat Launch via a Shuttle Service, 2267 Williams Point Dr, Stoughton, WI 53589 Map
There is very little parking at this launch. The 4LIYC is organizing an ATV shuttle service so that you can roll your trailer on the ice, and have your trailer shuttled over to Springers, where you can also park your car.
UPDATE: 2  ATVs will be at Pleasant Springs Launch Saturday morning at 8:00 am to begin shuttling to Springers. There will be a tongue sled available for dragging heavier trailers.
We ask that you please use one of these 2 launches and leave the third launch for the 4LIYC Renegade fleet. 

LODGING:
Clarion Suites at The Alliant Energy Center
$99 – Ask for Western Region Championship Group Rate
2110 Rimrock Road
Madison, WI 53713
(608) 284-9401
(608) 284-1234
Map

AmericInn
101 W Broadway, Monona, WI 53716
608-467-4791
Map

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Saturday, January 7, 2023
9 AM: Skippers Meeting at the racing area
10 AM: First Race, Silver Fleet. Second Race, Gold Fleet.

Sunday, January 8, 2023
10 AM: First Race

1) It is intended that each fleet will race nine (9) races, with three (3) Gold Fleet races being
necessary for a complete regatta.
2) Low point scoring system will be used, with one throw-out after five (5) races are
completed. A DSQ for unsafe or un-sportsman-like conduct cannot be thrown.

PROVISIONAL RESULTS

2023westernregional Gold
2023westernregional Silver
2023westernregional Prizes

 

2023 Western Region Championship Called ON for 7-8 January

by | Jan 1, 2023 | , ,

His first time at the tiller under Dad’s watchful eye. Lake Kegonsa in WI, January 1, 2023.

NOTICE OF RACE
2023 Western Region Championship
Via Western Region Commodore Chris Berger US5166

The 2023 Western Region Championship has been tentatively called on for January 7 – 8, 2023 with Lake Kegonsa and Lake Winnebago as possible sites. Several DNs were on Lake Kegonsa over the weekend and we had some great rides but there was never enough breeze for racing. We will be keeping an eye on the weather and checking sites on Thursday. Final confirmation will be posted on this website Thursday evening, January 5, 2023 by 8 PM CT.

2023 DN Western Region Championship
Tentatively Called ON for January 7 – 8, 2023
Final Confirmation January 5, 2023 by 8 PM CT
Location: Lake Kegonsa or Lake Winnebago

2023 Western Region Championship News & NOR: Postponed Until Jan 7-8, 2023

by | Dec 25, 2022 | , , ,


NOTICE OF RACE
2023 Western Region Championship
Via Western Region Commodore Chris Berger US5166

2023 Western Region Championship has been postponed until January 7 – 8, 2023. There are several larger lakes in Wisconsin that we are keeping an eye on and should freeze soon. Next update is Sunday, January 1, 2023.
Happy Holidays
Chris Berger

2022 DN Western Region Championship Awards

by | Mar 14, 2022 | , , ,

Gold Fleet. From left,1st Chris Berger, 2nd Daniel Hearn, 5th Dave Glick, 4th Skip Dieball, and 3rd Mike Bloom. Photos: Erin Bury

RESULTS
Congratulations to all competitors who made the trip to Clear Lake, Iowa, for the 2022 Western Region Championship. PRO Pat Heppert predicted that the wind would cooperate on Sunday, and he was right. We were able to bang off four more races on Sunday morning. Thanks to Pat and Ron Rosten for helping with RC duties.

Silver Fleet: From left, 3rd Matt Meyer, 2nd Bob Rast, 1st Alex Peterson, 5th Martha Croasdale, and 4th Erin Bury.

Western Region Commodore Chris Berger and Pat Heppert.

’22 Westerns: Rough ‘n Ready

by | Mar 12, 2022 | , , ,

Chris Berger and Tim Dixon take off for glory.

Provisional Results

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.

 

’22 Westerns Called ON for March 12-13 @ Clear Lake, IA

by | Mar 10, 2022 | , ,

Via Western Region Commodore Chris Berger:

The Western Region Championship is called on.
Clear Lake, Iowa. Register here.

Just when we thought it wasn’t going to happen, we found some ice in Iowa. It is late in the season and the ice isn’t perfect, but it is 16″ thick and sailable. It is reported to be rough, but no launchers. Rated about a 5. Again, it is not perfect but it is all we have. So, lets get out there and sail it while we still can.

What to Know
REGISTRATION
NOR
Sailing Instructions
Provisional Results
Date: March 12-13, 2022
Clear Lake, Iowa
Launch:
Lekwa Marsh Access – Roll trailers onto the ice
There will be a map posted with hazards.

Lodging:
Microtel Inn & Suites
1305 N 25th St, Clear Lake, IA 50428
+16413570966

AmericInn
1406 N 25th St, Clear Lake, IA 50428
+16413578954

Best Western
2023 7th Ave N, Clear Lake, IA 50428
+16413575253


Schedule:
(UPDATED on Saturday, March 12 at 6:30 AM. Skipper’s meeting was postponed because of temperature.)
Saturday, March 12: 10 AM Skippers Meeting, Gold fleet start to follow.
Sunset is 6:16 PM
Sunday, March 13: 9 AM first race

Ice Report via Pat Heppert:  Ice thickness is 20″ except the open water from the two large permanent aerators on the lake.  Please see map! The good news is that we have a massive area and no issues getting a 1 mile course if desired. The surface of the ice is very flat, but rough. What that means is that there is not very much up and down that is the boat wrecking, airborne kind, but the surface is very rough, and it will make a ton of noise, no doubt. Perfectly acceptable for late season DN racing, but this is not Hollywood ice. I give it an official rating of 4.5, but keep in mind that is coming from a non-ranked sailor. I put blades on the ice today with my freeskate windsurfer. Top speed 36 MPH today, probably averaged 25 – 30 MPH. No issues with my little 2″ blades. I let go with both hands, balanced on the harness, and closed my eyes to try to better judge the roughness, and really it was just super rumbly, but no excessive forces transmitted to the board. If I can do it standing up, then you too can do it in your DN. FAIR WARNING. Rough ice is not for everybody, but I have no issues recommending this ice to friends, and most report I am generally conservative with my reports. Again, ice rating 4.5. Forecast is good.”

Clear Lake, Iowa Map showing launch and hazards. (click to enlarge.)

2022 DN Western Region Regatta Postponed

by | Jan 6, 2022 | , ,

PREVIOUS
2022 Western Region Championship Notice of Race
Date: To Be Announced
Location: The Western Region includes Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana
Next Update: After the US Nationals (which take place January 23 – 29, 2022)

Via IDNIYRA Western Region Commodore Chris Berger

The 2022 Western Region Championship had been postponed until after the U.S. Nationals. Lake Monona ice in Madison, WI was not regatta quality. Regatta information will be updated after the U.S. Nationals.

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