iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

Buffalo, Minnesota

Sunday, 06 Dec 2003



Ron Sherry wins the 2003 Western Challenge!!

The 2003 Western Challenge has to go down as one of the best challenges in recent history. With three great days, including the practice day on friday (hey, it's usually the best day), of fresh breezes and smooth ice all thirty-six participants could go home with their fill of iceboating. Novice iceboaters and some of the best iceboaters in the world, including three europeans, and the world champion, took on the Western Challenge and were rewarded with some of the best conditions for iceboating.

Here's how many races we got in;

10 informal practice races on friday

6 races on saturday

3 races on sunday

After getting three races in on sunday morning we had our nine races needed and the regatta was over. The traveling crews could leave in the early afternoon to get a jump on the long drive home.

Thanks to everyone who participated to make this regatta such a great time, and a special thanks to all of those who traveled long distances to come and sail with us.

Congratulations go out to the top four local boys:

Mark Christinsen (us4824), Third Place

John Dennis (us4691), Fifth Place

Rob Evans (us4975), Eighth Place

John Loomis (us4923), Fifteenth Place

The regatta finished with three races sailed on sunday in 16-20kts of a fresh southerly breeze. The blowing wind started to create snow drifts to keep everything interesting. With the strong puffs and the snow drifts there was a premium put on driving and trimming skils.

The downwinds were intense as competitors tried to keep a runner flying all the way down to the leeward pin to minimize snow drag.

There were quite a few photographers at the event and we hope to have a some pictures posted throughout the week.

Here's the preliminary final results.

If there are any questions or corrections please post a comment and let me know. I would also like to fill in the missing names.