At first glance, I had to look closely at this photo, wondering if I’d missed the news that Madison lakes had frozen over while I was at the Western Challenge!
Pat Heppert posted this on his Facebook page on Saturday, December 14th, 2019.
Had a great day on Minnetonka today. A true pleasure to sail along side Mike Maloney and his Jerry Simon built Renegade “Simonized IV”. Unbelievable craftsmanship on that Renegade, and truly legendary. My boat went fine, even with shorty runners. Anyways, sailed Gideon’s Bay, Excelsior Bay, Echo Bay, and along Big Island East to about Harry’s. Ice was rough and snow drifted, but we did fine all day. Many Nites out and 1 DN. I didn’t sail main lake because unknown and unscouted and snow covered so harder to see thickness. But others did and reported main lake had less snow, no drifts, and much smoother. All the usual pressure ridges were in their usual locations on main lake.
Chris Gordon US5590 leads the pack rounding the weather mark on Lake Puckaway at the 2019 Western Challenge. Photo: Puckaway Ice Sailing Squadron
Breeze and hard, fast ice arrived on Lake Puckaway just in time for the 2019 DN Western Challenge. This regatta will be remembered by many of us for years to come. RESULTS
The DN Great Western Challenge is called “ON” for December 13-15, 2019 on Lake Puckaway Wisconsin.
Lake Puckaway is near Green Lake, Wisconsin. The Skeeter Western Challenge is cancelled for the season.
LAUNCH
Apuckawa Park and Boat Launch
Located at the intersection of Fox Court and Toepper Drive, east of Montello. Link to map
LODGING
Mecan River Outfitters:
(920) 295-3439
Very limited availability.
T’ween the Lake Motel
510 Underwood Ave Hwy 23
Montello, WI 53949
608-297-8715 Website
Nite sailors I hope your ready!!!
The Nite Commodore and NIte Treasurer just got off the ice at Lake Puckaway and found just about pristine conditions. We recorded 2 1/4 inches of hard optically clear ice that drilled real hard. Though we are not at the 5 inch mark we would like initially, I believe we will get there by Saturday morning. This is a shallow lake with a max depth at about 7 ft so we know that will help this whole equation as well.
The weather forecast has snow coming on Thursday and we are not sure the full extent of what we may get, so as of now we will be planning as if a Nite regatta will be happening this weekend. We will do a final confirmation tomorrow.
Since there should be a lot of ice sheet available on Lake Puckaway, we would like to cordially invite the DN class to come share the ice with us and sail their Western Challenge on Lake Puckaway. It is the iceboater way to do things.
Please respect the landings should you come early and also the locals who maybe ice fishing.
The right way to start the week, a video from Jim McDonaugh from the weekend sailing on Buffalo Lake in Minnesota, potential site of the Western Challenge DN regatta.
The Great Western Challenge is “ON” for December 13-15, 2019.
Primary location is Lake Buffalo in Buffalo, MN., sailing out of Sturges Park.
Check back for update on Wednesday and for hotel information.
Think ice!
Things got a little scientific next door at the Whitehorse/Krueger Skeeter shop today. Ken set up his newly painted Class A Skeeter and he and Paul spent the day getting the runners aligned just perfectly.
