by Deb Whitehorse | Jun 9, 2026 | 2026, Home Page
2026 DN North American Championship. Photo: Rachel Bartel for @harken_inc
PREVIOUS: Notice of 2026 IDNIYRA & IDNIYRA EU Ballot
Voting has concluded for the 2026 DN North America Officer Election and the IDNIYRA Specifications Ballot.
DN North America Officers
The following officers were elected to serve one-year terms beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027:
Rob Holman, Commodore
Karen Binder, Vice Commodore
Deb Whitehorse, Secretary/Treasurer
Bob Cummins, Past Commodore
A total of 44 of 151 eligible ballots were cast in the election. Complete election results may be viewed here: LINK
IDNIYRA Specifications Ballot
Members of IDNIYRA North America and IDNIYRA Europe voted on the Technical Committee proposal to revise the Official Specifications: General, Section C (Mast), and Section D (Boom).
The proposal was approved by a vote of 63 in favor and 3 opposed.
A total of 70 ballots were cast, with 66 votes tallied and 4 abstentions. Complete election results may be viewed here. LINK
The revised specifications will take effect on July 1, 2026.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the voting process.
by Deb Whitehorse | Jun 6, 2026 | 2026, Home Page
UPDATE: Funeral Information
Date: Friday, June 26
Visitation: 9 AM – 11 AM
Service: 11 AM
Location: Delavan United Methodist Church 213 S. 2nd Street, Delavan, WI. LINK TO MAP
Memorials in Janes name may be directed to Geneva Lake Sailing School LINK or Green Lake Area Animal Shelter.
Arrangements made by Toynton Funeral Home, 328 Kenosha Street, Walworth, WI (262) 275-2171.
Susie requests that if you attend the funeral, please wear your sailing apparel.
The DN community has lost one of its pioneers and most influential contributors.
Jane Pegel passed away on June 6, 2026, at the age of 92.
Jane began her iceboating career sailing the Skeeter I-169 Holy Smoke before transitioning to the DN class in the mid-1950s. Racing first as DN 305 and later DN 805, she became one of the sport’s top competitors. When Jane won the DN North American Championship in 1963, she became the first woman to win a major DN championship outright.
Her impact on the DN class extended far beyond racing results.
For decades, Jane served as chairperson of the DN Technical Committee, helping guide the development of the class and safeguard the one-design principles that remain the foundation of DN racing today. She was also a member of the group that established the National Iceboat Authority and helped formulate the right-of-way rules that continue to govern iceboat racing. She was also inducted in to the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2021.
Jane belonged to a generation that built the modern sport. Whether through competition, technical leadership, or rulemaking, her contributions shaped the DN class and influenced countless sailors who followed.
The DN class extends its condolences to her daughter, Susie Pegel, family, and friends.
Jane Pegel’s DN Statistics
IDNIYRA Commodore, 1961
IDNIYRA North American Championship Regatta
2 first place finishes in 1960 and 1963
7 second place finishes in 1958, 1959, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1978
1 fourth place finish in 1968
1 first place B fleet (Silver fleet) finish in 1981
Northwest Ice Yacht Racing Association Regatta
DN Class
11 first place finishes in 1960, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1976, 1984, 1990
41 times highest placing woman 1958, 1961 – 1963, 1965 -1967, 1969-1977
by Deb Whitehorse | May 18, 2026 | 2026, Home Page
Photo: 2026 North American Championship – Rachel Bartel for @harken_inc
Notice of 2026 IDNIYRA and DN North America Ballots
Voting will soon open for two separate ballots using ElectionBuddy. Email notices containing voting links will be sent later today.
DN North America Officer Election
DN North America members will receive a ballot for the election of officers for the 2026–2027 term. Positions include:
- Commodore
- Vice Commodore
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Past Commodore
Terms will begin July 1, 2026, and end June 30, 2027.
IDNIYRA Specifications Rewrite Ballot
In addition to the officer election, both North American and European members will receive a separate ballot concerning proposed changes to the Official IDNIYRA Specifications.
The IDNIYRA Technical Committee has completed a comprehensive rewrite and reorganization of the specifications intended to improve clarity, consistency, readability, and long-term maintenance of the class rules.
The ballot concerns proposed changes to:
- General
- Section C: Mast
- Section D: Boom
These proposals were published in the December 2025 issue of Runner Tracks.
Relevant pages from Runner Tracks will be attached directly to the ballot in ElectionBuddy for review prior to voting.
If approved, the revised specifications will take effect on July 1, 2026.
The complete December 2025 issue of Runner Tracks may also be viewed here:
December 2025 Runner Tracks
Please watch your email for ballot notifications from ElectionBuddy.
by Deb Whitehorse | May 9, 2026 | 2026, Home Page
Cover Photo: Gilles Morelle – “A Fresh Look at the Ice”
The May 2026 issue of Runner Tracks is now available. Along with championship coverage, specification rewrites, regatta results, and features on Rasmus Maalinn and Karol Jabłoński, this issue includes an important proposed change to the Regatta Management Agreement concerning sponsorship.
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
- Reflections from DN World Champion Rasmus Maalinn
- Karol Jabłoński’s podium finishes at all three major championships
- Proposed specification rewrites from the Technical Committee
- RMA Sponsorship proposals for the DN class
- Full results from the 2026 North American, World, and European Championships
Get this issue in a full color soft cover book for $20.
by Deb Whitehorse | Apr 28, 2026 | 2026, Home Page
The conductor starts the show.
It’s time to mark your calendars! The 2027 DN championship schedule is now set, giving sailors a clear runway into the next season.
DN World & North American Championships
Hosted by the Eastern Region (USA)
January 31 – February 6, 2027
Registration: January 30
DN European Championship
Germany (host fleet with support from multiple European fleets)
February 20 – 27, 2027
As always, final locations will depend on ice and will be announced closer to the events. Now the clock starts. Boatbuilding season is here.
by Deb Whitehorse | Apr 20, 2026 | 2026, Home Page
The last sailing of the season with the Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada DN group.
David “Frosty” Frost has been on a quest these past few weeks to find sailable spring ice, and with Martha Croasdale, took the gamble on Thunder Bay this past weekend, where the mission paid off. It’s a good reminder that for many, like Frosty, DN sailing isn’t only about racing, but about the chase, the people, and days like this. There are only 32 weeks until we’re back on the ice in Minnesota for the season opener, the Western Challenge, and it’s time to get into boat building mode.
