iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

Apparently, all it takes to make the Western Challenge GREAT is perfect ice and lots of wind. Today's final three races were GREAT. Even better than the five races we sailed yesterday. We raced three high speed races in a strong breeze, on lightning fast ice, on a very large course. Put those factors together and it is easy to understand why today's racing really was GREAT. It was one of those days where you simply ripped to the corner and turned left. Today, tactics were not a factor. Today, the game was about speed. Today is why we love this sport. It really was a GREAT day. To see how your favorite sailor fared go to the 4LIYC web page at iceboat.org for results.

What also made this year's Western Challenge GREAT was the hospitality of the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club. The 4LIYC pulled out all the stops and hosted a remarkable event. The race committee lead by Chief Judge Peter Fauerbach ran 7 outstanding races while 4LIYC Commodore Ken Norton and others from the club took care of everything else. I would be remiss if I did not give a GREAT big shout out to scorers Deb Whitehorse and Loretta Rehe. These two really are GREAT! Regatta after regatta they stand out in the cold so we can race. Their effort, like the effort of all the volunteers, did not go without notice by the competitors. Thank you volunteers. You are all GREAT!

As always, it was the sailors themselves that made the 2014 Western Challenge truly GREAT. Any time you bring together 80 DNers from around the world you know you're going to have a GREAT regatta. Thanks to those who traveled GREAT distances and thanks to those who introduced new sailors to our sport. It is that spirit that makes the Western Challenge GREAT!

The 2014 Western Region Championships is scheduled for this coming weekend. Final call and location to be announced later this week. Check back then for more information. We would love to have you join us. In the mean time, sharpen your runners and THINK ICE!