by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 17, 2025 | 2026, Home Page
2025 Western Challenge on Lake Minnewaska in Starbuck, MN. Photo: Kevin Barta
The Notice of Race for the 2026 DN Western Region Championship is now posted in pdf. See it here.
The Western Region includes Minnesota, Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana.
This is a non-ranking regatta and an excellent opportunity to get ready for the 2026 DN North American and U.S. National Championships.
Regatta dates: January 3–4, 2026
Official regatta information, site updates, and registration details will be posted at idniyra.org.
Also, a reminder that the 2026 DN North American and U.S. National Championship early registration deadline to save $50 is fast approaching. If you plan to attend, register now.
by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 8, 2025 | 2026, 2026 North American, Home Page
2026 DN North American and U.S. National Championships Notice of Race Posted and Registration Now Open
2026 North American & Nationals Home Page
The Notice of Race is live and registration is open for the 2026 DN North American and U.S. National Championships. You will find everything on the regatta page, including the Notice of Race and the link to register. Sailing Instructions will follow.
The regatta is hosted by the Western Region. Tim Mower, Western Region Commodore, is the Regatta Chair. The regatta site will be selected based on the best ice available. If the Western Region has no suitable ice, the search will expand to the other regions to find the best possible racing conditions.
Racing is scheduled for January 25 through January 31, 2026.
We are also working on regatta merchandise that you will be able to order and have shipped to your home. More information will follow.
Save money. Regatta fees increase on January 1, 2026. Register now and keep a few dollars in your pocket. Rookies and juniors do not incur late fees.
A critical reminder on liability insurance. Every sailor must have current home or renter insurance that covers them during the regatta period. Proof of insurance must be submitted by January 22, 2026 to be included in the random draw for starting positions. Only sailors who complete registration and submit insurance by that date will be placed in the initial draw. You can upload your insurance during registration or email it afterward.
This is the first year for the new format. The class voted to change the North Americans to a seven race series. After the North Americans, we will run the U.S. Nationals, another seven race regatta. The U.S. Nationals is non ranking. If you are new to racing or want experience without the pressure of championship scoring, the U.S. Nationals may be the right place to start.
Please review the details for mandatory check in in the Notice of Race before you travel.
The Western Challenge on Lake Minnewaska in Starbuck, MN gave us a strong start to the season with good ice, good wind, and a fleet that showed up ready to sail. If that weekend lit a fire under you, carry it forward. Register today.
New this year. If you want to give the regatta a little extra help, we now offer optional donation levels during registration. These gifts go directly to race operations and volunteer support.
A reminder for newcomers. If you are a new sailor or you have not been a class member in the last five years, you can race both regattas with a two year membership for $54.
Register here
Read the Notice of Race here
Visit the regatta information page
by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 3, 2025 | 2026, Home Page
The 2026 IDNIYRA Yearbook is now published and live. If you placed an order, your copy should arrive soon through the printer’s fulfillment system. You can view it online and order it here.
by Deb Whitehorse | Nov 23, 2025 | 2025, 2026
Paul Chamberland KC5700 opened the North American ice sailing season today on Owlseye Lake, only a few miles from where he grew up near St. Paul, Alberta. He has been visiting family and watching the weather with the patience of someone who knows ice. Today it paid off.
His mother, brother, and the rest of the crew spent the entire day enjoying the lake, taking turns in the two DNs Paul hauled north.
Now we wait to see if Paul carries some of that cold south to northwest Minnesota for the Western Challenge, the unofficial start to the season on the fastest ice in the state.
by Deb Whitehorse | Nov 18, 2025 | 2025, 2026, Home Page
As many of you have heard, the DN class has lost JR Francis US807, a friend, a competitor, and a steady presence on the ice. Our condolences go out to his wife, Kylie, and to his family. His passing feels especially hard because it came without warning, and because we all expected many more years of seeing US807 at the front of the fleet.
From the Race Committee side, JR was the kind of sailor you hoped to see on the line: respectful, focused, and fast. He didn’t say much, but he spoke volumes on the racecourse. Those of us who watched the sharp end of the fleet know exactly how often US807 was right in the fight.
Skip Dieball knew JR all his life, and JR was like a brother to him. Thank you Skip for sharing some photos and your remembrance.
Robert F. Francis, Jr.
1969-2025
-by Skip Dieball
The iceboat family is mourning the loss of our good friend, JR Francis. He was a tremendous individual and will be greatly missed.
JR grew up in the Point Place community of Toledo, OH. There with the support of his family, he began a lifetime of boating that would pave the way for a successful career in the marine industry.
Just a few blocks from his childhood home, my brother Ernie and I formed a close bond that would carry on through our lives. Our ages were very close and we shared many of the same passions. Summer sailing, Iceboating, Bike riding and all the fun and travel associated. We went to the same schools, participated in the same summer sailing programs and iceboated on Maumee Bay as often as we could. We were brothers, and there weren’t many days that would go by without us getting together.
JR went on to become a successful boat captain working for very famous clients which included business leaders and professional sports icons. His attention to detail and preparation were key success factors in his career.
JR was a trusted sailing teammate. He and I won several sailing championships that were hard earned and well sailed. He was a fantastic tactician and had a pragmatic approach that led to quick decisions and success.
JR was an outstanding and highly ranked iceboating competitor in the DN class. He traveled all over the world to compete and strived to get better with every event. He truly helped me as I dove in and out of the sport through my adult years, always providing support and encouragement. At a recent DN Worlds, I had to race every qualifying race to get to the gold fleet. At the finish of each race, he was there to coach me and inspire me to get ready for the next race, as I had no idea where I generally finished.
Above all of his accomplishments, support and friendship, he dearly loved his wife Kylie and the life they built together. She made our great friend an even better person through life. JR’s had the support of a wonderful family. My deepest condolences to Bob Sr., Debbie and her family.
by Deb Whitehorse | Nov 1, 2025 | 2025, 2026, Home Page
Now this is super cool! European Rally Champion Miko Marczyk and Polish DNer Łukasz Zakrzewski P155 teamed up to film a Škoda spot that takes ice driving and sailing to another level. The surface looks incredible, and I can’t help but wonder where it was shot. This dropped yesterday on YouTube. Learn more on Skoda’s website.
Video link.
As many of you have heard, the DN class has lost JR Francis US807, a friend, a competitor, and a steady presence on the ice. Our condolences go out to his wife, Kylie, and to his family. His passing feels especially hard because it came without warning, and because we all expected many more years of seeing US807 at the front of the fleet.
JR was an outstanding and highly ranked iceboating competitor in the DN class. He traveled all over the world to compete and strived to get better with every event. He truly helped me as I dove in and out of the sport through my adult years, always providing support and encouragement. At a recent DN Worlds, I had to race every qualifying race to get to the gold fleet. At the finish of each race, he was there to coach me and inspire me to get ready for the next race, as I had no idea where I generally finished.
