LATEST NEWS
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)
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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.
Rasmus Maalinn C20 Crowned 2025 European Champion
Photo: Gilles Morelle. Facebook Page
RESULTS
The 2025 European Championship has a new name for the trophy: Rasmus Maalinn C20 of Estonia. At under 30 years old, Rasmus has achieved a remarkable feat in the world of ice sailing, becoming the first European champion under 30 since Poland’s Michal Burczynski P114 claimed the title in 2004 at the age of 23.
This year’s regatta, held at Lake Pyhäjärvi in Säkylä, Finland, was exciting to follow thanks to live tracking. Waking up early or catching the reruns was well worth it for fans. The Gold fleet tracking replay links are available below, letting you relive the action.
Despite tricky conditions—”plus temperatures” (above 32°F for North Americans) and wet ice—the organizers managed an impressive 12 races in the Gold fleet, and 10 so far in the Silver and Bronze fleets. A huge shoutout to the team for their swift result tabulation, keeping everyone updated without delay.
The regatta opened with a nod to experience, as Poland’s Karol Jabłoński P36—a seven-time European champion—won the first race, setting a high bar for the competition. But Rasmus soon took charge, dominating with 7 out of 12 race wins in the Gold fleet.
Poland’s Michal Burczynski P114 took second with four race wins, showing his lasting talent more than 20 years after his own under-30 win. Fellow Pole Łukasz Zakrzewski P155 rounded out the podium in third with a solid performance. Congratulations to Michal and Łukasz for their excellent showings in a tough field.
Rasmus’s rise began in the junior ice sailing ranks. His name first appeared in the IDNIYRA yearbook as the 2014 Ice Optimist Champion, and he went on to claim five DN Junior Championship titles. Now, as an adult competitor, he’s brought that success to the continental level.
Rasmus is the first sailor outside Poland and America to win the European Championship since Germany’s Bernd Zeiger G107 in 2010, ending a 15-year streak held by Polish and American sailors.. He joins an elite list of Estonian champions, including Endel Vooremaa, Vello Kuusk, Matti Kuulmann, Vaiko Voorema, Ain Vilde, and Tiit Hagmaa. Many North American competitors will remember having met Rasmus at the 2019 World Championship in North America where he placed 7th in the Gold fleet.
Although the Gold fleet has its champion, the Silver and Bronze fleets remain uncertain. As of now, it’s unclear whether they’ll race tomorrow, Friday, February 28. Currently, Finland’s Oscar Lindell L132, is leading the Silver fleet, and Lithuania’s Antanas Gerasimavicius T4, is leading the Bronze fleet.
UPDATE: The European Championship has been called completed. Congratulations to all participants!
Explore more in the IDNIYRA Continental Championship History.
Live Tracking Links:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Runner Tracks Mid-Winter 2025 Issue Now Online!
The mid-winter 2025 issue of Runner Tracks is now available online. In addition to excellent photography by Anna Suslova, articles by Sam Bartel, Warren Nethercote, and Peter Johanson offer perspectives that make this issue stand out. While we’ll have more regatta reports in the May issue, this mid-winter release holds its own.
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
- OFF THE WIND – THOUGHTS ON NIA RULE 4 BY WARREN NETHERCOTE
- THE GREAT WINDSTORM OF 2025 BY DEB WHITEHORSE
- MINUTES OF THE 2025 ANNUAL GOVERNING MEETING
- A MOMENTUM BUILDING YEAR BY SAM BARTEL
- A WEEK OF WINS BY PETER JOHANSON
Get this issue in a full color soft cover book for $20. Click here to buy.
Visit the Runner Tracks archive to read it now. Hard copies of the full-color softcover book are available for $20.
Thank you to our contributors, photographers, and sponsors for their continued support.
New SA Podcast Featuring 2025 DN World & North American Champion Matt Struble
Matt Struble capturing the moment—2025 DN World Champion in action! Photo by Anna Suslova.
As most of us in North America are snowed out from ice sailing, it’s the perfect time to sit back and listen to the latest Sailing Anarchy podcast featuring 2025 DN World & North American Champion Matt Struble!SA’s Scott Tempesta caught up with Matt after his dominant performance on Lake Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where he secured the DN World & North American titles. While his scores made it look easy, Matt shares just how tough the event really was. As Scott put it: “I just chatted him up, and I can tell he is going to be a great guest!” The episode drops this afternoon, so be sure to tune in and hear insights from one of the best in the sport.
Listen here: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/www.buzzsprout.com/2116610/episodes/16631972-sailing-anarchy-podcast-49.mp3
Or check out the SA podcasts on Apple, Google, or Spotify podcasts.
2025 DN North American Championship – Seven for Struble: Another DN NA Victory
Matt Struble US183 – 2025 DN North American Champion
2025 DN NA RESULTS
Day 4 Report– 2025 DN North American Championship
Friday, February 7 – The Last Day of Racing
The final day of the 2025 DN North American Championship dawned cold but clear, with the sun shining and the winds finally calming down after Thursday’s wild storm. With the previous day’s 50 mph gusts still fresh in our minds, no one knew exactly what we would find at the launch. Big winds have a big effect on big ice, but fortunately, PRO Pat Heppert took an early 13-mile Dawn Patrol ride down the lake to ensure no wayward DNs had continued their solo journey overnight.
Back at the launch, local sturgeon fishermen were hauling their ice shacks back onto the lake, giving us confidence that the ice was safe. With temperatures low, it was clear that the final day’s racing would once again be scored from the warmth of cars.
“The wind was confused,” as Regatta Chair Peter Johanson put it, after blowing like crazy the day before. This meant constant adjustments—PRO Pat Heppert and his crew had to reset the starting line and marks after almost every race as the shifting breeze kept everyone on their toes. Fortunately, we were racing in a spot where sturgeon apparently don’t like to hang out, so there were no conflicts with fishing shacks on the course.
We needed six more races to complete the championship, and the fleet delivered with tight, competitive sailing. The racing remained intense, with different winners in almost every race, proving once again just how deep the competition runs in the DN class.
Matt Struble Defends His Title
In the end, Matt Struble successfully defended his championship, claiming victory as the 2025 DN North American Champion just days after winning his fifth World Championship. This marks his seventh North American title, further solidifying his legacy in the class.
Prize Giving & Final Farewells
The prize-giving ceremony took place back at the regatta headquarters, where a big group gathered to celebrate the competitors and wrap up an unforgettable week of racing. Competitors enjoyed pizza along with the trophy ceremony, giving everyone a chance to relax, share stories, and reflect on an incredible championship.
A huge thank you to Regatta Organizer and DN Central Region Commodore Peter Johanson for keeping everything on track, and to PRO Pat Heppert and his team for their tireless work in making this event a success. There are countless people who played a crucial role in making the regatta a success, from race officials and volunteers to ice scouts and supporters. A full thank-you post recognizing everyone’s contributions will be published soon—stay tuned!
To all the competitors who made the effort to attend both the Worlds and North Americans—thank you. We hope you had a great time, and we look forward to seeing you on the ice again soon!
Following the decision of a protest, Race 5 of the Silver Fleet in the 2025 DN North American Championship has been updated to reflect a disqualification (DSQ) for G390. However, this ruling did not affect the overall standings or race results beyond the individual DSQ. The updated results have been recorded accordingly.
- Website – Visit IDNIYRA.org for official announcements, race updates, and results.
- Website – Visit the New England Ice Yachting Association for race updates from the New England contingent
- Event Photos: Anna Suslova Gallery. Link Password: sail
- Gretchen Dorian Photo Gallery
- Instagram – Follow @idniyra
- Facebook – IDNIYRA – DN North America for live updates, videos, and community discussions.
- Results – View the full competitor list and follow live results
- New to Iceboat Racing? – Learn how it works by watching this short video:- How Ice Boat Racing Works.
- For media inquiries – Please contact secretary.idniyira@gmail.com. Or text 608-347 3513
DN North American Championship Important Update for Friday, Feb 7
Video above shows why we postponed racing today.
Via PRO Pat Heppert
Attention DN Racers!!
Due to today’s high winds, please read ALL of the following announcements:
- Racing on Friday, February 7 will be held as scheduled, with a 9 AM skippers meeting and a 10 AM first race start. The starting order will be Bronze, Silver, Gold.
- Today’s high winds resulted in many trailers and boats blowing around, even some that were tied down and anchored. Several parties have been at the lake to secure the trailers and boats in the launch area. We are confident that anything remaining in the launch area is now secure for the night, and the winds are decreasing. However, at least some boats were blown across the lake and will need to be retrieved tomorrow. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE DOING ANYTHING.
- The ice is assumed to not necessarily be safe, even in the areas we have been sailing. We are now completely starting over on ice scouting. Treat it like it’s a whole new lake that you haven’t been to before.
- Do NOT immediately drive cars across the bridges in the morning. The ice has already shifted, and the pressure ridge is actively changing. The fishing club will inspect bridges in the morning, and we will have no trouble getting off tomorrow afternoon.
- Do NOT go sailing before the skippers meeting. There are absolutely new cracks, holes, and heaves that the race committee will be inspecting at first light.
- The race committee has several 4-wheelers with trailers to help search and retrieve boats and trailers as needed.
- The Western region 4-wheeler will be utilized to set the race course.
- The rest of the race committee 4-wheelers will be used to help search and retrieve boats and trailers as needed.
- Many ice screws and ropes have been used to secure everything today. Please inspect your trailer and boat moorings, and bring all the ice screws and ropes that do not belong to you to the skippers meeting at 9 AM, along with any other lost and found items.
DN parking—high wind edition.
Day 2 Report: NA Regatta Timeout – Strong Winds Force a Postponement
Photo: Anna Suslova
NA PROVISIONAL RESULTS
We all met on the ice this morning, but before anyone started setting up, it was clear that enthusiasm for racing was low. The IDNIYRA Governing Committee gathered and determined that the wind forecast—with gusts up to 50 mph—was too high for racing. The decision was made to postpone racing for the day, and the announcement was met with a round of applause from the competitors. The lack of sails-up underscored that the conditions weren’t suitable for competitive racing.
As I write this, I can see the wind picking up, confirming that the governing board made the right call. PRO Pat Heppert encouraged competitors to take advantage of the lay day and check out another sport known for speed—the famous Oshkosh Experimental Aircraft Museum, just a few minutes up the road.
Meanwhile, back at the hotel, there’s still plenty to keep sailors entertained. Those staying in Fond du Lac’s Radisson Hotel can enjoy its large swimming pool, hot tub, restaurant, and bar, making for a relaxing break from the ice.
Updated Schedule for Friday, February 7
- 9:00 AM – Skippers Meeting
- 10:00 AM – First Race
- Fleet sequence: Bronze → Silver → Gold
- We plan to sail 3 more races in each fleet, aiming for a total of 7 races for each fleet, conditions permitting
- North American Prize Giving will take place on the ice at the conclusion of the regatta
- The 2025 DN North American Championship will conclude tomorrow, as we are in the direct path of an incoming snowstorm forecasted for Saturday.
Taking full advantage of the lay day, Pat Heppert brought out one of his shop-creations—a Mini Skeeter. When I left the ice, sailors were lined up, waiting for their turn to take a ride.
Tomorrow, we get back to racing. Stay tuned for updates!
Stay updated with the latest results, photos, and behind-the-scenes coverage:
- Website – Visit IDNIYRA.org for official announcements, race updates, and results.
- Website – Visit the New England Ice Yachting Association for race updates from the New England contingent
- Event Photos: Anna Suslova Gallery. Link Password: sail
- Gretchen Dorian Photo Gallery
- Instagram – Follow @idniyra
- Facebook – IDNIYRA – DN North America for live updates, videos, and community discussions.
- 2025 North American Championship Results – View the full competitor list and follow live results
- 2025 World Championship Results – View here.
- New to Iceboat Racing? – Learn how it works by watching this short video:- How Ice Boat Racing Works.
- For media inquiries – Please contact secretary.idniyira@gmail.com. Or text 608-347 3513
Day 1 Report – 2025 DN North American Championship
Though it’s officially Day 1 of the North American Championship, it’s Sailing Day 4 for all of us here, and the fleet is showing no signs of slowing down.
The ice has tightened back up with colder temperatures—11°F when we arrived at the lake—providing solid racing conditions. The scoring team had the luxury of scoring from inside cars driven to the starting line, which made a huge difference in staying warm and efficient. Thanks to this setup, we completed four races in each fleet, despite a 160-degree wind shift.
The qualifiers were sailed early, and once things were set, the race committee got into a groove, firing off 12 races under the direction of the maestro of ice, Pat Heppert. Racing was tight across all fleets, with plenty of different winners mixing it up. The Gold Fleet saw four different winners in four races, proving just how deep the competition runs. Silver and Bronze fleets were just as competitive, as the results show.
Looking ahead, the forecast is calling for heavy air tomorrow, with gusts—but we’ll see if the predictions hold.
In the meantime, here are some more photos from event photographer Anna Suslova. Stay tuned for updates as the championship continues!
Stay updated with the latest results, photos, and behind-the-scenes coverage:
- Website – Visit IDNIYRA.org for official announcements, race updates, and results.
- Website – Visit the New England Ice Yachting Association for race updates from the New England contingent
- Event Photos: Anna Suslova Gallery. Link Password: sail
- Gretchen Dorian Photo Gallery
- Instagram – Follow @idniyra
- Facebook – IDNIYRA – DN North America for live updates, videos, and community discussions.
- 2025 North American Championship Results – View the full competitor list and follow live results
- 2025 World Championship Results – View here.
- New to Iceboat Racing? – Learn how it works by watching this short video:- How Ice Boat Racing Works.
- For media inquiries – Please contact secretary.idniyira@gmail.com. Or text 608-347 3513
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