2015 Western Regionals - Jan 3-4, 2015 NOR

[MICHAEL]

NOTICE OF RACE
Western Lakes Regional DN Championship Regatta
Jan 3-4, 2015
North American Western Region


Organizing Authority
 International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association
Host
 North American Western Region

1. Rules:

All races will be governed by the Racing Rules of the National Iceboat Authority; the By-Laws of the IDNIYRA, and Official Specifications of the DN Ice Yacht; the Notice of Race, including any amendments to the Notice of Race, (except as any of these are altered by the sailing instructions) and the Sailing Instructions. The Sailing Instructions can be modified at the Skippers Meeting and by a notice posted on the official notice board.

Seven race regatta format – 3 race minimum in the Gold Fleet will constitute the regatta. Fleets - Gold & Silver Fleet, Plate Runner Division as part of the Silver Fleet, Rookie Division as part of the lowest fleet; Volunteer split for fleets.

2. Eligibility:

All DN class yachts meeting the requirements of the Official Specifications and whose skippers meet the requirements of the By-Laws of the IDNIYRA as stated in the section IDNIYRA Regattas are eligible to enter and race in the championship.

3. Site Information and Postings:

A. The primary site is within the North American Western Region
 B. Site and Headquarters Information will be determined by the regatta organizer.
 C. Official regatta information, updates and accommodations: DN America Forum & Western Region Hotline - 608-313-5156

4. Entry and Fee:

A. The official entry may be submitted and signed at registration or may be accomplished on line. See Ice.idniyra.org for registration.
 B. The entry fee is $35, payable on site of regatta.

5. Schedule of Events:
•Friday: 7-9 PM Registration at Regatta Hotel Headquarters
•Sat 8-9 on ice registration
•Sat 9:30 Skippers Meeting
•Sat 10:30 First DN start
•Sunday 10:00 First DN start

6. Sailing instructions

Official Sailing Instructions will be provided at registration.

7. Prizes

Trophies will be awarded to the top ten places in each fleet, top for Plate Runner Division, Top Junior, Top Rookie, Top Senior (50-59), Top Master (60 to 69) and Top Grand Master (70+)

8. Proof of Insurance

Proof of personal or race liability insurance ($300,000 minimum) will be needed at time of registration or submitted and verified online at https://ice.idniyra.org

[MICHAEL]

Thanks to Kent for setting up this pre-registration link for the Westerns. Just click the link below, enter name and fleet designation(voluntary fleet split). At check out, it will show up as zero cost. You need to pay $35 at the event registration and show current insurance and you are good to go. This saves time as well as allowing the scorers to have the data base set up in advance. Each racer must be a current 2014-15 season member to use the link as well as race in the Westerns.
Keep me posted with ice conditions in your area. 612-868-2949.


https://ice.idniyra.org/racing/registration/2015/Western_Region_DN_Championship

Mike Miller
US5369
Western Region Vice Commodore

[MICHAEL]

Only a week away from the Westerns! Keep me updated on ice conditions in your area at miller.m@mchsi.com.
Or 612-868-2949. Lake Minnetonka in Minneapolis area will be sailed today and hope the warm weather has healed it up. A permit to use the lake is being obtained so could be an option. Some snow is predicted for some of the Western Region, followed by a cold week. I expect a weekend update from Green Lake at Spicer this weekend. Pepin appears to be in a 3 inch snow band tonight!
How about Wisconsin again? Kegonsa, or will the cold arrive in time to obtain a new lake?
Mike Miller

[MICHAEL]

The 2015 Westerns is called on for Jan 3-4, 2015.
Primary site is Lake Kegonsa near Madison Wi. Ice has been sailed the past few days and rates a 9.95.
Lodging deals and launch site will be posted by Dec 30, 9AM.

Back up ice options in case of snow include:
Puckaway, Poygan, Winnebago, Onalaska, and Petenwell.
Should anyone have first hand reports, please let me know at 612-868-2949 or miller.m@mchsi.com

Mike Miller

[MICHAEL]

Primary site is Lake Kegonsa, near Madison Wi. Launch site is Springers Restaurant and Bar at 3097 Sunnyside St,  Stoughton, WI 53589. A large parking lot is adjacent with easy walk over a wooden ramp to the lake. An alternate launch ramp is located 1 mile away at Town of Pleasant Springs Boat Launch, 2267 Williams Point Drive, Stoughton, WI. $5 per day parking charge.  Arrangements are being made for possible towing trailers by ATV from the ramp to Springers ( more later). DO NOT DRIVE ON THE ICE WITH VEHICLE
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Springers/@42.979461,-89.243701,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8806457f0d5b383f:0xfe4e8c90f2167d1f

Springers also has a great Friday evening fish fry on your own.
Plans are being made to host a dinner party Saturday evening. Watch for details.

LODGING
Regatta Headquarters
Country Inn & Suites
 400 River Pl, Madison, WI 53716
 (608) 221-0055
 Ask for iceboater rate of $74 for standard room, King or 2 queens
http://www.countryinns.com/destinations/property.do?hotelCode=WIMONONA&directions=true&showRates=true

 Americ Inn
Ask for iceboater rate of $79.90 for a Std room
101 W Broadway, Madison Wi 53716
(608) 222- 8601
https://www.google.com/maps/dir//43.04781,-89.324722/@43.048117,-89.3263468,17z/data=!3m1!4b1


Sleep Inn & Suites
Ask for iceboater rate of $74 for king or double queens
 4802 Tradewinds Pkwy Madison, WI 53718
 (608) 221-8100

Registration to be held at Country Inn, Regatta Headquarters Friday 7-8:30PM(note time change from NOR) or at Springers launch site with Deb Whitehorse(vehicle parked next to Springers, or indoors in the bar) 8-9AM Sat.
You may also register on line. If so, all that's needed is to show insurance and pay your $35: https://ice.idniyra.org/racing/registration/2015/Western_Region_DN_Championship

REMEMBER: Current  IDNIYRA Membership of $25 paid in full is required.  IF you are new and need to join, or need to pay up, you can do that on site or on the IDNIYRA site. https://ice.idniyra.org/

IMPORTANT:  To participate, you must show proof of Liability Insurance (minimum $300,000) this is usually in the form of homeowners insurance or renters insurance.  (Your automotive policy will NOT work for this purpose).
Please contact an experienced DN racer or a representative of the IDNIYRA to clarify if you have any questions.
There is also a method to update your insurance information on line at the home page of IDNIYRA

[MICHAEL]

Westerns remain called on for Kegonsa. The weather models all point to snow developing Sat afternoon with possible 2-5 inches by Sunday morning followed by wind and dropping temps. If the timing of new snow holds off a few hours on Saturday we are good. Updated forecasts may change the timing of the snow.
Due to the timing, Final Call will be made at 6 AM Friday.
NOR schedule change:
9:15 AM Sat - Skippers Meeting
10AM Sat Gold Fleet Start
All backup locations of Puckaway and Petenwall both have similar forecasts.
Poygan and Winnebago do not have regatta quality ice and have similar snow forecasted.
Lake Onalaska is out due to permit issues with the Federal Wildlife authorities.
Minnesota has no suitable ice and snow and cold wind arrives there  Sat.
Again stay tuned for final call at 6 AM Friday.
Mike Miller

[MICHAEL]

The 2015 Western's are postponed to Jan 10-11 or Jan 17-18, 2015
Weather conditions predicted for the primary and backup sites are not going to be suitable for a 2 day regatta.
Don't forget to cancel hotel reservations!
Please continue to inform me of potential sites in our entire region over the next 3 weeks to assist me in ice finding good ice for both the Western's and back-up ice for the scheduled Gold Cup and NA's set for Jan 25-31.
612-868-2949 or miller.m@mchsi.com

Mike Miller

[MICHAEL]

No solid ice yet for this weekends regatta.
Geneva, Green and Marinette(Green Bay) all had possibilities yesterday and earlier today but the heavy winds(and more on Wed)  appears to have diminished the chance of having sailable ice by Sat morning. There is also a good chance of some snow on Thursday in those areas.
Photos, taken this morning from 2 sources in the Brainerd Lakes area of Minnesota look promising. At this point we do not have any sailors in that area and with 40 below windchills on Wed, no one to scout it. The cold weather is predicted to hang on into the weekend for all sites.
For now the Westerns are on hold, pending a primary site decision. Final decision to be made by Thursday noon.
If anyone has ice to report, phone me at 612-868-2949.
Mike Miller

[MICHAEL]

The final call for this weekends Western Regional will be delayed until 9AM Friday Jan 9. This will allow a final check of ice on Lake Geneva, WI. Current conditions on a large sheet of new ice about 1.5 miles  by 2 miles is optically clear hard black ice about 4 inches thick and growing. The sailing area would be to the north and west of Linn  Rd. Snow has just started in Geneva with anywhere from 1-4 inches predicted on the various weather sites along with 20-25 SSW winds all day and into the evening. Snow should end by 9PM.
It is difficult to predict how much of the new snow will blow off the glass ice. The ice will be inspected by 8:30 AM Friday morning. The updated temperatures, driving conditions and wind forecast will be evaluated for Sat & Sun at that time before making the final call.
Time changes if it happens this weekend:
Registration at Hotel Headquarters: Fri 8-9PM and  Sat 9-10 AM
Late Registration at launch site 10:30- 11
Skippers Meeting at Headquarters Hotel or launch site at 11:00
First Race 12:30 PM

AGAIN FINAL CALL 9AM FRIDAY JAN 9

Mike Miller

[MICHAEL]

Lake Geneva is not an option this weekend. 2-3 inches of snow and wind has left our sheet of ice with 8 inch drifts. The good news is that the larger area of the lake, Black Pt to Cedar Pt to Fontana remained open during the snow event. The west end of Green Lake also remained open during their snow and wind. Both of these areas should freeze when the wind subsides. The forecast for Jan 17-18 look favorable.
2015 Westerns postponed until Jan 17-18.
Continue to report ice conditions to me.
Thank you to Lou, Bob and Jane for your ice checking help on Geneva and especially to Lou for looking at Geneva at 8 AM today!
Mike Miller
 

[MICHAEL]

The 2015 DN Western Regional Championship is called on for Green Lake, Wi for Jan 17-18, 2015.
The center and west end of the lake froze over on Jan 10, 2015. A photo and look at the ice appears good. It is still too thin to sail. It is expected that cold temps the first part of the week are suitable for solid ice for scouting by Wednesday. An update will be provided by Wed eve and a Final Call on Thursday or sooner.
The Nites have also scheduled their Nite Nationals for Green Lake this weekend. It appears that the sailing area could be large enough for 2 courses but would need to be sailed and scouted first.
Lake Geneva still does not have a large ice enough area for a regatta.

Launch site is the Park on the SW corner of the lake on County Rd K.

Regatta Headquarters will be Heidel House with registration Friday eve and on ice Sat AM. Final times later.

Heidel House at 1-800-444-2814 has a few other events this weekend so a discounted rate is not possible.
Standard Room of 2 queens or king is $89
Deluxe Room of 2 queens and sofa sleeper is $124
1 BR of a King and sofa sleeper is $174
3 DAY CANCELLATION POLICY OF 1 NIGHTS DEPOSIT

Bayview Motel in Green Lake at 920-294-6504
Standard room at $65
24 hour cancellation policy

Boarders Inn in Ripon Wi has numerous rooms at $79
The manager will discuss a discount on Monday at which time I will post the deal.

Mike Miller
Western Region Vice Commodore

[MICHAEL]

Mike Jankowski has scouted Green Lake and reports the west end now has 3 1/2 inches of solid black ice but has about a dozen small and large holes on the east end of this sheet. Below zero and quiet winds tonight should heal those. This area could accommodate a nice size course, avoiding the open spaces. If so we will race with the Nite Nationals fleet, alternating starts. There is another area near the center of the lake that is a new freeze also, large enough for a good course. Access is not as good, but would work. This area will be a backup pending the open spots healing. The west end will be sailed and scouted on Wednesday. Watch for an update by evening.

I have been scouting by telephone for backup sites in Minnesota. There were numerous reports of drive by good ice in Alexandria area as well as Brainerd Lakes area. At this time they all have at least one inch of new snow plus rough ice below and drifting on top. I am waiting for a few photos to prove this to me. Browner and I could scout if it looks promising. Mike Derusha reports no good ice from Green Bay to Marinette due to breakups, refreeze and new snow coverage. Pete Johns sailed on Clinton in Ill Sunday but they appear to have received sleet and some snow last night.
Prospects for Green appear strong!
The temps and wind for the weekend look great.

Backup hotel deal:
Boarders Inn(Americ Inn style) in Ripon 920-748-7578 with breakfast incl.
$69/night plus tax for 2 queens or king Ask for the iceboat rate
They will also modify the 24 hour cancel policy if we move or cancel due to ice or weather conditions
Mike Miller

[MICHAEL]

The final call for the 2015 Western Regional Regatta is ON for Green Lake, Wi west end of lake. A perfect sheet of 2 mile square area ice awaits you. All scouted areas this afternoon measure 6 inches thick. No seams or open holes. Launching from the Park on the SW corner of the lake off County Rd K. Plenty of parking in the lot. Trailers can be backed on 11 inches of rough shove ice. Trailers can be parked on the ice. There is rough ice extending out about 200 yards to the good stuff. Some of it can be sailed and some may need walking out. Good winds are predicted so bring sharp runners.
We will share the course with the Nite Nationals. The DN's will have 2 fleets if over 40 boats. If less than 40, the DN's will have one start with trophies for both Silver and Gold. Decision on number of starts to be made at skippers meeting on Sat AM 9:30 sharp at the launch. First race for the DN Fleet at 10:30 AM.

Juniors, age 24 and under will have a reduced registration of $10 and their own trophy. Rookies and Plate runners only must declare at time of registration.

Registration at Norton's On The Lake Friday eve 7-8:30 PM. They also have a great fish fry. 380 S Lawson Dr, Green Lake, Wi.
Late registration on the ice Sat 8:15-9:15 AM at Deb's SUV parked right by the ramp.

Regatta fees $35, Juniors $10. All must be 2015 IDNIYRA members. If not add $25. All must show at least $300,000 of proof or copy of a liability insurance policy.

We are planning on a combined Nite, DN dinner party for Saturday evening. We expect to be at Norton's. Further details later, once confirmed.
The Heidel House still has a few rooms for the weekend, see earlier post for hotel options.
Please review the Racing Rules prior to racing. An excellent hand out will be at registration. SAIL SAFE, SAIL SMART AND LOOK BEFORE CHANGING COURSE.

[MICHAEL]

Saturday evening dinner:
A combined group dinner with the Nite Fleet :
Norton's 7:30 PM He-man sit down meal tax & tip incl $20. Get there early for cocktails or beer.
Must prepay at Friday registration or on ice registration by 9:30 AM Sat.
The conditions for racing are about as good as they get, BIG HARD CLEAN ICE, WIND & WARM TEMPS
STILL TIME TO HIT THE ROAD!

[MICHAEL]

Big hard black ice at least 2 miles square. 2 small goose holes off the point to the south side by the point to the right. Well marked with 4 cones. It will easily be off our course.
We were rippin in 12 MPH and expect 15-17 mph on Sat!
9:30 skippers meeting. 10:30 start DN's. Don't be late.
Still time to load up and drive.
Miller