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.

2025 DN World Championship – Final Day Report – High Five for Struble

Five-Time Champion! Matt Struble celebrates moments after securing his fifth DN World Championship victory. Photo: Anna Suslova

2025 DN World Championship – Day 3 Report

RESULTS
The 2025 DN World Championship wrapped up today on Lake Winnebago, and we extend a huge congratulations to five-time champion Matt Struble US183. Having already claimed his fifth World Championship title, Matt continues to cement his legacy in DN racing.

Matt grew up in Bay City, Michigan, where Jan and Mead Gougeon, legends in the DN class, mentored him. Now living in San Diego, California, he balances his career as a Nissan engineer, Moth sailing, competitive ice sailing, and time with his family. A gracious and humble competitor, Matt once again proved why he is one of the best in the sport.

A Bright, Cold Final Day

Today’s conditions were much colder than the previous two days, but a beautiful sunrise over Lake Winnebago greeted us for the first time since we arrived. After days of cloudy, gloomy weather, the bright sunshine was a welcome change—even if it made writing down scores challenging for the scoring team’s frozen fingers.

Winds were 20 mph from the north when PRO Pat Heppert arrived early for his daily dawn patrol, inspecting the course by ATV to ensure a safe and fair race surface. Pat and the protest committee were busy last night, hearing seven protests, with the final one wrapping up around 10 PM. Yesterday was also a massive scoring day, with 15 races completed across all fleets.

The Final Showdown

Racing began right on time at 10 AM with the Silver Fleet. Silver Fleet Champion Daniel Hearn had already secured his victory with enough bullets in the bank to sit out the race, but he still came out to help manage the starting line and watch the Gold fleet race.

With Silver wrapped up, all eyes turned to the Gold Fleet showdown between Matt Struble US183 and Lukasz Zakrzewski P155, who was trailing by just three points. The flag dropped, and the final battle was on. Matt found another gear, pulling ahead of the fleet, chased by a pack of Poles, an Estonian, and Swedes.

Three laps later, it was over. The top five competitors headed straight to the measuring corral and were in high spirits, congratulating Matt and each other in the bright sunshine. Everyone left the ice smiling—partly from the excitement and partly because we were all ready for a well-earned break from the cold.

Looking Ahead: The North American Championship Begins

Today is check-in day for the 2025 DN North American Championship, which officially begins tomorrow. Here’s what competitors need to know:

  • Check-in is from 3 – 5 PM at Regatta Headquarters, Radisson Hotel, Fond du Lac.
  • Online registration closes at 5 PM. Click here to register.
  • The prize-giving, banquet, and raffle—managed by Junior Sailing Manager Sam Bartel US1011—will take place tonight at 7 PM at Sunset on the Water, N7364 Winnebago Drive, Fond du Lac, WI 5493

(Dinner is ordered off the menu, and guests will pay individually.)

A Strong Showing from the Junior Fleet

One of the biggest positives of this regatta has been the presence of seven junior sailors, demonstrating the bright future of DN racing.

From Sweden, Oskar Svensson S714 and Gustav Linden S887 both closed out their junior years in spectacular fashion. Oskar, who won the first race of the Worlds and finished 6th overall in Gold, and Gustav, who placed 8th in Gold, have firmly established themselves as solid Gold Fleet competitors. Both sailors have been coached by Tomas Lindgren S81, and it has been a pleasure to watch them grow into top-tier racers over the years.

Our North American juniors also delivered outstanding performances, most in their first major regatta:

  • Sam Bartel US1011 had a remarkable journey, qualifying from Bronze to Silver to Gold on the first day, ultimately finishing 31st in Gold Fleet.
  • Jack Brellinthin US130 placed 18th in Bronze, gaining valuable international experience.
  • Maggie McGary US2453 finished 15th in Silver Fleet, having qualified up from Bronze. Notably, she has competed in every regatta in the Western Region this season, showing incredible dedication to the sport.
  • Andrew Roeder US5706 placed 3rd in the second Bronze Fleet race and finished 21st overall in Bronze.
  • Sebastian Sorenson US5479 placed 32nd in Bronze, gaining valuable experience at the international level.

It’s impressive to see these young sailors step up in such a competitive event, and their performances are a testament to the effort being put into junior development. With a mix of experience and determination, this next generation of DN racers is proving they belong at the highest level.

There are countless people to thank for making this regatta possible—but we’ll save that for the conclusion of the North Americans.

Stay tuned for more updates as we shift into the next championship!

Stay updated with the latest results, photos, and behind-the-scenes coverage:

Day 3 – Photo Gallery by Anna Suslova – Gallery Link Password: sail

 

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Struble Extends DN season in California


The DN season wasn’t over yet for 2023 World & North American champion Matt Struble US183 who sailed in his home state of California yesterday at America’s Landsailing Championship held at Ivanpah. Considered the “cathedral of land sailing,” Ivanpah dry lake is located on the border of California and Nevada. He joined other ice sailors from around the country. Via Ken Smith’s Facebook page:

A brisk first day sailing ALC at Ivanpah, CA. About 70 competitors in roughly 90 land sailing yachts (sailors in multiple classes). Midwest DN iceboaters include Bob Cave, Lou Lonnecke, Pat Heppert, Pete Johns, and Daniel Hearn. Also Bill Dale and a pair from New England.
We sailed one round of five class starts. We got DN champ Matt Strubble racing in a mini skeeter, a class 3, and a DN on wheels. Wide wind range, shifty direction, and large wind holes made sailing, umm, interesting! -Ken Smith

Matt Struble replies: Absolute blast! Thanks Ken Smith, Peete Johns for a great day of sailing. I logged some wonderful miles of sailing. Felt at home in the DN, especially at the start.

2023 DN World Championship Debrief with Matt Struble

Link to video

Matt Struble US183 won this year’s World and North American Championships on Lake Kegonsa in Madison, WI (USA). In this video, Samuel Bartel US1011 talks with Matt about how he won the world championship. They discuss regatta preparation, equipment, strategy, and much more!

Photos in this video are from Cathy Firmbach and Mike Roemer.