LATEST NEWS
Think Dipoles
Here is an excellent photo from Poland that I’ve been waiting to use for a while, proving how far the obsession can go: a commercial ice cream freezer repurposed to keep runners cold during sharpening sessions. Brilliant!
It is no secret that DN sailors are obsessive about runners and keeping them sharp. For nearly 200 years, the explanation for why runners slip on ice was simple: pressure and friction melt the surface. But new research from Saarland University in Germany shows the real story. It is molecular dipoles, tiny electrical charges in the runner metal interacting with the ice, that disrupt the crystal structure and create a thin liquid film. If you want a deep scientific dive into why things like runners glide on ice, check out the full article on phys.org.
To get a better understanding of what is going on, it helps to know how ice is structured. Below zero degrees Celsius, water molecules (H₂O) arrange themselves into a highly ordered crystal lattice in which the molecules are all aligned neatly with one another, creating a solid, crystalline structure.
When someone steps onto this orderly structure, it’s not the resulting pressure or friction of the shoe that disrupts the top layer of molecules, but the orientation of the dipoles in the shoe sole interacting with those in the ice. The previously well-ordered structure suddenly becomes disordered.
2026 Notice of Dues
Photo: Rachel Bartel @bartelmedia
Renew Your DN Class Membership
Now that you’ve read the latest issue of Runner Tracks, keep the momentum going and renew your DN Class membership today!
Your dues directly support:
- Runner Tracks: the magazine that shares our stories and insights.
- The Yearbook: our official record of fleets, rules, and results
- The class website: news, resources, and regatta updates
- Race equipment and management: marks, scoring, radios, and everything that makes championships possible
- Class governance and communication: keeping sailors connected and the class moving forward
Pay your dues now to keep the DN community thriving and to stay eligible for upcoming championship regattas.
Click here to renew or begin your membership. Prefer to mail a check? Download and print the Membership Form.
Thank you for supporting the IDNIYRA!
2025 Sept Runner Tracks – Let the Season Begin!
September 2025
Cover photo by Rachel Bartel
Labor Day is behind us and the countdown to ice has begun. Thirteen weeks remain to get your gear ready for the Western Challenge, December 5, 2025 in Minnesota. If Finland is on your calendar, the first gathering of the season arrives even sooner in Week 46 this November. In this month’s Runner Tracks, dive into rules at the leeward mark and enjoy our feature interview with World Champion Matt Struble.
RUNNER TRACKS IS AVAILABLE IN THREE DIFFERENT FORMATS:
Flipbook Magazine
Download pdf file (best for tablets)
Download single page pdf (best for phones)
IN THIS ISSUE
- THE RULES AT LEEWARD – WARREN NETHERCOTE AND MIKE BLOOM
- WHEN DOES A ROUNDING MANUEVER BEGIN AND END?- WARREN NETHERCOTE AND MIKE BLOOM
- MATT STRUBLE INTERVIEW
Remembering Hal Bowman US1277
Photo: Gretchen Dorian. Right: Hal at the Grandmasters Regatta in Sweden.
The DN community is saddened to share the passing of Hal Bowman US1277 on August 22, 2025, at the age of 91.
Hal’s DN career spanned more than 50 years, starting before the first DN World Championship held in Gull Lake, Michigan, in 1973. In the decades that followed, he became a welcome and familiar face on the ice across North America and Europe, and even as far as Russia, where he raced in both St. Petersburg and on Lake Baikal.
Hal’s final accomplishment on the ice came this year at the 2025 DN World Championship on Lake Winnebago in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. His goal was simple but meaningful: to pull the sheet for one last race. In doing so, he showed the determination and passion that defined his sailing life.
In the last 21 years, Hal and his wife, Mercedes Auger, became a familiar team at DN regattas around the world. While Hal raced, Mercedes contributed behind the scenes, often assisting with scoring and race administration.
Friendship is at the heart of iceboating, a trait shared by ice sailors everywhere, and on a personal level I found that traveling with Hal and Mercedes to Lake Baikal, Europe, and regattas across North America was as much about the camaraderie, meals, stories, and laughter as it was about the racing.
Off the ice, Hal could always be relied upon to share fascinating stories about his diverse interests, including flying, golfing, music, and even sheep shearing. Kent Baker speaks for all of when he wrote, “I got to meet the ‘most interesting man in the world.’ Not just a fascinating person but very down to earth and calm.”
Beyond racing, Hal gave back to the class by donating his equipment for use by youth and aspiring iceboaters, ensuring the next generation could experience the sport he loved.
The DN class has lost a steady presence on the ice, a sailor who carried our history forward from the DN Class’s earliest international days through more than five decades of racing. The friendships formed on the ice last forever, and Hal Bowman’s presence will continue to be felt each time we gather to sail.
Obituary (Will be posted by this evening)
The family invites friends to share memories and condolences on Hal’s Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/hal.bowman.31
Missing Man Tribute: Bullseye Flight Team: https://bullseyeflightteam.com
2026 Rank List Published
Sam Bartel US1011 pushes off at the start of the Gold Qualifier. Photo: Anna Suslova
The 2026 International DN Rank List has been calculated and is now available.
Special thanks to Ann Foeller, our Regatta Registration Manager, Scorer, and Tabulator, for her continued support and assistance in compiling the data used to calculate the rankings.
As stated in the IDNIYRA Regatta Management Agreement (RMA):
14. DN Split Fleet Ranking
The Continental Secretaries shall maintain a fleet ranking. This ranking shall be updated yearly and shall be published by October 15 using regatta results from the previous two GCs (Gold Cup), NACs (North American Championships), and ECs (European Championships). This ranking shall be the lessor of the following:
- Best finish in the Gold fleet in the previous two WCs, NACs, and ECs.
- 22 plus your best finish in the Silver fleet in the previous two WCs, NACs, and ECs.
- 40 plus your best finish in the Bronze fleet in the previous two WCs, NACs, and ECs.
- 58 plus your best finish in the Aluminum fleet in the previous two WCs, NACs, and ECs.
In the event of equal ranking for more than one sailor, the ranking which is based on the most recent race result will be considered higher.
All corrections must be submitted to the respective Continental Secretary by November 15. The list becomes final on December 1.
Have a question about your ranking? Please email:
secretary.idniyra@gmail.com
If you’re unable to view the rank list on your phone or tablet, please download the PDF version.
Click here to download the 2026 Rank List (PDF)
View the 2026 Rank List by Rank
2025 Officer Election & Bylaw Proposal Results
Cold steel. Photo: Anna Suslova
Thank you to all members who participated in the 2025 IDNIYRA Officer and Bylaw Election.
We are pleased to announce the newly elected officers, whose terms will begin July 1, 2025:
- Commodore: Rob Holman, US3705
- Vice Commodore: Karen Binder, US5630
- Secretary/Treasurer: Deb Whitehorse, US2366
- Past Commodore: Bob Cummins, US3433
The proposal to amend the format of the North American Championship Regatta has also passed. The change reduces the maximum number of races from 14 to 7 when the North Americans are not held in conjunction with the World Championship. In the days remaining after completion of the North American Championship, there shall be held a U.S. National or Canadian National Regatta, depending on the location of the event.
Thank you to outgoing Commodore David Frost, US5358, as he and his legendary “stoop” transition to civilian life. We are grateful for his service and dedication to the DN class.
Upcoming IDNIYRA Election – Watch for Your Electronic Ballot
Scoring Team
All IDNIYRA members in good standing will soon receive an electronic ballot for the annual election of officers and a proposed bylaw change.
- Ballot Delivery: Check your inbox beginning May 19
- Voting Period: Open from May 19 through June 9, 2025
You’ll be voting to elect the 2025–2026 officers:
- Commodore
- Vice Commodore
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Past Commodore
You’ll also be asked to vote on a proposed bylaw change to the North American Championship format when it is not held in conjunction with the World Championship (Gold Cup). The proposal would:
- Reduce the number of scheduled races from 14 to 7 for the North American Championship
- Add a second regatta (U.S. or Canadian Nationals) during the same week, depending on location
Your vote helps shape the future of the class. Please take a moment to review the ballot and participate.
If you don’t receive your ballot or have any questions, contact Executive Secretary Deb Whitehorse at secretary.idniyra@gmail.com
Hot Off the Ice: The End-of-Season Issue of Runner Tracks Is Live!
The latest issue of Runner Tracks wraps up a packed DN season with world-class photography and in-depth reporting. Inside, you’ll find Petri Pennanen’s 2025 European Championship recap, Mike Bloom’s deep dive into Rules 4 & 5 in Racing Off the Wind, Walter Koelbl’s Mitropa Trophy story, and the 2024 European Secretaries Meeting minutes—plus full 2025 regatta results.
Runner Tracks features the best ice sailing photography anywhere—see it all now.
RUNNER TRACKS IS AVAILABLE IN THREE DIFFERENT FORMATS:
Flipbook Magazine
Download pdf file (best for tablets)
Download single page pdf (best for phones)
IN THIS ISSUE
- 2024 MINUTES – EUROPEAN SECRETARIES MEETING
- 2025 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT – PETRI PENNANEN
- RACING OFF THE WIND: RULES 4 & 5 – MIKE BLOOM
- THE MITROPA TROPHY – WALTER KOELBL
- 2025 REGATTA RESULTS
Get this issue in a full color soft cover book for $20. Click here to purchase.
Visit the Runner Tracks archive to read the past issues. Hard copies of the full-color softcover book are available for $20.
Thank you to our contributors, photographers, and sponsors for their continued support.
Welcome Tim Mower, New Western Region Commodore – Save the Date for the 2026 DN Westerns!
We’re pleased to announce that Tim Mower US5871 has been named the new DN Western Region Commodore. Please join us in thanking Chris Berger US5166 for his years of dedicated service and leadership to the class.
Tim has selected January 3–4, 2026, as the DN Western Region Championship Regatta dates. The Western Region includes Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan—and is home to some of the best ice sailing in North America.
This two-day, non-ranking regatta is the perfect opportunity to prepare for the DN North Americans or the Worlds in Europe. With typically two fleets, the Westerns are ideal for sailors of all skill levels—especially novices looking to get involved, meet fellow racers, learn more, and even pick up equipment.
Mark your calendars—we’ll see you on the ice!
2026 Regatta Dates Announced
Photo: Anna Suslova
Via IDNIYRA Commodore David Frost US5358
The 2026 continental regatta dates have been set. During last weekend’s European Secretaries meeting, February 14–21, 2026, was selected for the World and European Championships, with Poland as the host.
With those dates confirmed, the 2026 North American Championship is tentatively scheduled for January 24–31, 2026, with the Western Region and newly minted Western Region Rear Commodore, Tim Mower US5871, hosting.
Please note that the North American dates remain tentative due to the upcoming proposal on the spring ballot. If the proposal passes, racing can begin on Sunday, January 24, 2026. If it does not, racing can begin on Monday, January 25, 2026.
Seahorse Magazine Showcases DN Class
Peter Van Rossum KC2766 on the ice, photo by Anna Suslova, courtesy of Seahorse Magazine.
The April edition of Seahorse Magazine includes an article highlighting the DN class. Dobbs Davis delivers a great article recapping class history and the 2025 Worlds, featuring an interview with Karol Jablonski P36 and the World & North American champion, Matt Struble US183.
Seahorse Magazine is subscription-based, but you can subscribe for instant access or order this individual issue from their back issues section (link) once it’s available.
Current Newsletter
DN VIDEOS
iceboat.org
- September 8, 2025: DN Mast & Runner Sharpeners in WI September 8, 2025
Minnesota Ice Sailing Association
- main lake sailed Minnetonka December 31, 2024
Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club
- 2025 Swap Meet August 31, 2025
New England Ice Yacht Association
- Museum Finds September 11, 2025