by Deb Whitehorse | Feb 18, 2026 | 2026, Home Page
The ice sailor huddle
DN Worlds 2026
Site Change
Tuesday night the European secretaries, the PRO, and race leadership met to discuss options. The course at Kolmården had proven too short for the wind strength we were seeing, and cracks had developed near the weather mark. After reviewing the conditions, the PRO and race organization concluded that the race course could not carry a world championship properly.
EU Commodore John Winquist led the meeting. Everyone was heard. The discussion was thorough and direct, and by the end of the evening a clear plan was in place. Scouts were dispatched to nearby Swedish lakes and back into Poland to reassess earlier venues.
Wednesday morning the hotel lobby was full. Sailors from across Europe, along with the North Americans, had checked out and were standing by with gear stacked along the walls, waiting for the decision. When the call came, phones were out and ferry reservations began immediately.
The regatta will return to its original host country of Poland. The chosen venue is Lake Bukowo, one of the first lakes scouted before the championship began. Earlier concerns about snow cover had partly led to Sweden being selected. This time the snow missed the lake, and reports from scouts are strong.
Racing is scheduled to begin Thursday on Lake Bukowo. The Americans and Canadians are making the move as well.
My part of this journey ends here as I head into Norway with my brother while the championship continues.
Follow along on the usual channels and on David Frost’s Facebook page.
by Deb Whitehorse | Feb 17, 2026 | 2026, Home Page
DN Worlds 2026
Day 2
Kolmården, Sweden
The sun returned for a second straight day, and this time it came with a forecast that hinted at wind building in the early afternoon. Just before 1 pm, it felt as if someone had finally flipped the switch.
After the wind settled a bit, the Bronze qualifier was sailed in good pressure. After two quiet days, the fleet was moving the way it should at a world championship.
Not long after, the day was called. The cracks on parts of the course, with the wind strength we were seeing, and the short course length was not ideal. Between safety and geometry, the decision was made to stand down at this site.
We are now on hold while alternative venues are being scouted. Flexibility is part of ice sailing. We are ready to move when the call comes.
Join the DN class and see the world! I will try to update this post when the official word has been given on our next site.
Results
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by Deb Whitehorse | Feb 17, 2026 | Home Page
Photo: Rachel Bartel for @harken_inc
Central Region Championship update: Still under postponement
-Lakes in Michigan have plenty of ice and with the warm Zamboni temps this week, lakes are being monitored.
-No regatta this coming weekend ( Feb 21,22) it wont be safe but we will be monitoring conditions for one of the following weekends, stay tuned.
Important information:
-Once the regatta is called on NOR, SIs and registration for Central Region Champs with be on-line at www.idniyra.org
-MAKE SURE your insurance is up to date and get it on file.
Stay tuned!
Pete Johanson US5633
Central Region Commodore
by Deb Whitehorse | Feb 15, 2026 | 2026, Home Page
DN Worlds 2026
Day 1
Kolmården, Sweden
The first day of the championship opened under clear skies and full sun, something that is not always guaranteed in Sweden at this time of year. The light was sharp and clean across the lake, and while the setting looked ideal, the one element we really needed stayed away, the wind.
Without pressure in the sails there was no racing, but the day was far from wasted. We are fortunate to have three of the most experienced international iceboat photographers on site: Gilles Morelle traveling with the Swiss team, Rola Lora with the Lithuanian team, and Gwidon Libera with the host country of Poland team. They were on the ice all day, working the light, the details, and the quiet moments that come before the racing begins. All three photographers’ images can be seen on the DN Europe Facebook page, and I will share a link to Gilles Morelle’s full gallery: LINK
Many sailors used the time to have their runners inspected by the measurer. Championships are often won in details that are invisible from shore, and a windless day provides the time to take care of them properly.
We begin again today and will see whether the wind decides to join us.
WHAT TO KNOW
Entry List
Launch site
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by Deb Whitehorse | Feb 14, 2026 | 2026, Home Page
Registration – Competitors are required to pass an online iceboat sailing rules test, administered by Vesa from Finland. The Poles are the host country and brought a bit of Poland with them.
DN Worlds 2026 – Day 0
Travel has kept all of us moving through Europe to the 2026 IDNIYRA World Championship. We all have a long story about how we arrived to Sweden, many via Poland where the Grand Masters regatta was held and where we had hoped to sail
Poland was the plan. Snow changed it. The decision was made and the championship shifted to Sweden. That is ice sailing, we go where the ice is right.
We are staying at Kolmården Vildmarkshotell, part of the Kolmården wildlife park. There is a zoo here (they have a panda, a snow leopard, and tigers!) , forest trails, pools, climbing areas, and more children than iceboats at the moment. Sweden is on holiday this week, and the resort is built for families. It’s a wonderful place for children with many activities for them.
I am helping with registration and scoring this week. Here’s a few photos from that side of the operation.
Racing begins tomorrow, Sunday, February 15.
The ice is here. That is what matters. Glad Alla hjärtans dag.
WHAT TO KNOW
Entry List
Launch site
DN Europe
DN Europe Facebook
DN Europe Instagram
