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.
by Deb Whitehorse | Mar 23, 2026 | 2026, Home Page
Sebastian Sørensen at the 2026 North American Championship. Photo Rachel Bartel for @harken_inc
The Eastern Region isn’t done yet. Moosehead Lake in Maine often delivers some of the best sailing of the season this time of year.
Eastern Region Commodore James “T” Theiler US5224 has tentatively called the Eastern Region Championship for Moosehead on March 28–29. LINK
Come for the sailing. Stay for the scenery and the camaraderie. A strong way to close the season and one you’ll be glad you didn’t miss.
Hey Folks-
Once again the forecast during the week is looking favorable for decent ice at Moosehead Lake in central Maine this weekend.
AND the weekend itself looks good too!
So as IDNIYRA Eastern Regional Commodore I am calling the regatta on for the weekend.
Please email me at t_thieler@yahoo.com and let me know if you are interested, this will help me get a read on how many hotel rooms etc we will need.
Look forward to hearing from everyone! Stay tuned….
T Thieler DN US 5224
by Deb Whitehorse | Mar 6, 2026 | 2026, Home Page
Runner Tracks
The Online Magazine of the International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association
March 2026
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
- THE PROTEST COMMITTEE EXPLAINED
- WHY DN SAILING?
- NEW DN PLANS?
- TWO ROOKIE RACE REPORTS
- RULES AND TACTICS
- SPEED INSIGHTS
- AGM MINUTES
Get this issue in a full color soft cover book for $20.
New Issue of Runner Tracks: One of Our Best Yet
The latest issue of Runner Tracks is now available, and it may be one of our best yet. This issue is packed with useful articles that speak to many aspects of DN sailing, from rules and tactics to equipment and the experience of getting started in the class.
One of the highlights is a pair of rookie race reports that offer two very different paths into DN sailing.
Peter Shorett came to the DN with no prior ice sailing experience. He arrived curious and willing to learn, and his story captures the excitement and challenge of stepping onto the ice for the first time.
Ryan Kyle’s path was a bit different. He had already spent time sailing recreationally on Sandusky Bay before deciding to take the next step and enter his first championship regatta. His account reflects the perspective of someone who already loved the sport but wanted to see what racing was all about.
Both sailors share something important in common: they are passionate soft-water sailors who discovered that DN sailing offers a new dimension of speed and competition. We are delighted to welcome them to the class.
We are also honored to include an article from Gordy Bowers. Gordy is a legend in the soft-water sailing world, participated in the first DN Gold Cup, and was recently awarded the prestigious Herreshoff Award by US Sailing. His contribution adds a broader perspective from one of sailing’s most respected voices.
