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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
The DN is most popular iceboat in the world. Whether you are a racer or cruiser, your $25 membership in the IDNIYRA helps to promote the art and skill of DN ice yacht construction and the sport of ice yachting on all the hard waters of the world.
2026 REGATTA DATES
North American Championship
January 24 – 31
World & European Championships
Feb 14 – 21 idniyra.eu