by Deb Whitehorse | May 2, 2025 | 2025, Home Page
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.
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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
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Thank you to our contributors, photographers, and sponsors for their continued support.
by Deb Whitehorse | Apr 30, 2025 | 2025, Home Page, Western Region Championship
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!
by Deb Whitehorse | Apr 29, 2025 | Home Page
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.
by Deb Whitehorse | Mar 6, 2025 | 2025, 2025 DN GOLD CUP & NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP, Home Page
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.
by Deb Whitehorse | Feb 27, 2025 | 2025, Home 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
