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LATEST NEWS

Remembering Hal Bowman US1277

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.

Obituary (Will be posted by this evening)
The family invites friends to share memories and condolences on Hal’s Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/hal.bowman.31
Missing Man Tribute: Bullseye Flight Team: https://bullseyeflightteam.com

2026 Rank List Published

Sam Bartel US1011 pushes off at the start of the Gold Qualifier. Photo: Anna Suslova

The 2026 International DN Rank List has been calculated and is now available.

Special thanks to Ann Foeller, our Regatta Registration Manager, Scorer, and Tabulator, for her continued support and assistance in compiling the data used to calculate the rankings.

As stated in the IDNIYRA Regatta Management Agreement (RMA):

14. DN Split Fleet Ranking

The Continental Secretaries shall maintain a fleet ranking. This ranking shall be updated yearly and shall be published by October 15 using regatta results from the previous two GCs (Gold Cup), NACs (North American Championships), and ECs (European Championships). This ranking shall be the lessor of the following:

  • Best finish in the Gold fleet in the previous two WCs, NACs, and ECs.
  • 22 plus your best finish in the Silver fleet in the previous two WCs, NACs, and ECs.
  • 40 plus your best finish in the Bronze fleet in the previous two WCs, NACs, and ECs.
  • 58 plus your best finish in the Aluminum fleet in the previous two WCs, NACs, and ECs.

In the event of equal ranking for more than one sailor, the ranking which is based on the most recent race result will be considered higher.

All corrections must be submitted to the respective Continental Secretary by November 15. The list becomes final on December 1.

Have a question about your ranking? Please email:
secretary.idniyra@gmail.com

If you’re unable to view the rank list on your phone or tablet, please download the PDF version.

Click here to download the 2026 Rank List (PDF)
View the 2026 Rank List by Rank

2025 Officer Election & Bylaw Proposal Results

Cold steel. Photo: Anna Suslova

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.

View full election results

Upcoming IDNIYRA Election – Watch for Your Electronic Ballot

Scoring Team


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

Hot Off the Ice: The End-of-Season Issue of Runner Tracks Is Live!


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.

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

  • 2024 MINUTES – EUROPEAN SECRETARIES MEETING
  • 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.

Welcome Tim Mower, New Western Region Commodore – Save the Date for the 2026 DN Westerns!


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.

Mark your calendars—we’ll see you on the ice!

2026 Regatta Dates Announced

Photo: Anna Suslova

Via IDNIYRA Commodore David Frost US5358

The 2026 continental regatta dates have been set. During last weekend’s European Secretaries meeting, February 14–21, 2026, was selected for the World and European Championships, with Poland as the host.

 

With those dates confirmed, the 2026 North American Championship is tentatively scheduled for January 24–31, 2026, with the Western Region and newly minted Western Region Rear Commodore, Tim Mower US5871, hosting.

 

Please note that the North American dates remain tentative due to the upcoming proposal on the spring ballot. If the proposal passes, racing can begin on Sunday, January 24, 2026. If it does not, racing can begin on Monday, January 25, 2026.

Seahorse Magazine Showcases DN Class

Peter Van Rossum KC2766 on the ice, photo by Anna Suslova, courtesy of Seahorse Magazine.

The April edition of Seahorse Magazine includes an article highlighting the DN class. Dobbs Davis delivers a great article recapping class history and the 2025 Worlds, featuring an interview with Karol Jablonski P36 and the World & North American champion, Matt Struble US183.

Seahorse Magazine is subscription-based, but you can subscribe for instant access or order this individual issue from their back issues section (link) once it’s available.

 

Rasmus Maalinn C20 Crowned 2025 European Champion

Photo: Gilles Morelle. Facebook Page

RESULTS
The 2025 European Championship has a new name for the trophy: Rasmus Maalinn C20 of Estonia. At under 30 years old, Rasmus has achieved a remarkable feat in the world of ice sailing, becoming the first European champion under 30 since Poland’s Michal Burczynski P114 claimed the title in 2004 at the age of 23.

This year’s regatta, held at Lake Pyhäjärvi in Säkylä, Finland, was exciting to follow thanks to live tracking. Waking up early or catching the reruns was well worth it for fans. The Gold fleet tracking replay links are available below, letting you relive the action.

Despite tricky conditions—”plus temperatures” (above 32°F for North Americans) and wet ice—the organizers managed an impressive 12 races in the Gold fleet, and 10 so far in the Silver and Bronze fleets. A huge shoutout to the team for their swift result tabulation, keeping everyone updated without delay.

The regatta opened with a nod to experience, as Poland’s Karol Jabłoński P36—a seven-time European champion—won the first race, setting a high bar for the competition. But Rasmus soon took charge, dominating with 7 out of 12 race wins in the Gold fleet.

Poland’s Michal Burczynski P114 took second with four race wins, showing his lasting talent more than 20 years after his own under-30 win. Fellow Pole Łukasz Zakrzewski P155 rounded out the podium in third with a solid performance. Congratulations to Michal and Łukasz for their excellent showings in a tough field.

Rasmus’s rise began in the junior ice sailing ranks. His name first appeared  in the IDNIYRA yearbook as the 2014 Ice Optimist Champion, and he went on to claim five DN Junior Championship titles. Now, as an adult competitor, he’s brought that success to the continental level.

Rasmus is the first sailor outside Poland and America to win the European Championship since Germany’s Bernd Zeiger G107 in 2010, ending a 15-year streak held by Polish and American sailors.. He joins an elite list of Estonian champions, including Endel Vooremaa, Vello Kuusk, Matti Kuulmann, Vaiko Voorema, Ain Vilde, and Tiit Hagmaa. Many North American competitors will remember having met Rasmus at the 2019 World Championship in North America where he placed 7th in the Gold fleet.

Although the Gold fleet has its champion, the Silver and Bronze fleets remain uncertain. As of now, it’s unclear whether they’ll race tomorrow, Friday, February 28. Currently, Finland’s Oscar Lindell L132, is leading the Silver fleet, and Lithuania’s Antanas Gerasimavicius T4, is leading the Bronze fleet.
UPDATE: The European Championship has been called completed. Congratulations to all participants!

Explore more in the IDNIYRA Continental Championship History.
Live Tracking Links:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5

Runner Tracks Mid-Winter 2025 Issue Now Online!

The mid-winter 2025 issue of Runner Tracks is now available online. In addition to excellent photography by Anna Suslova, articles by Sam Bartel, Warren Nethercote, and Peter Johanson offer perspectives that make this issue stand out. While we’ll have more regatta reports in the May issue, this mid-winter release holds its own.

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

  • OFF THE WIND – THOUGHTS ON NIA RULE 4 BY WARREN NETHERCOTE
  • THE GREAT WINDSTORM OF 2025 BY DEB WHITEHORSE
  • MINUTES OF THE 2025 ANNUAL GOVERNING MEETING
  • A MOMENTUM BUILDING YEAR BY SAM BARTEL
  • A WEEK OF WINS BY PETER JOHANSON

Get this issue in a full color soft cover book for $20. Click here to buy.

Visit the Runner Tracks archive to read it now. Hard copies of the full-color softcover book are available for $20.

Thank you to our contributors, photographers, and sponsors for their continued support.

New SA Podcast Featuring 2025 DN World & North American Champion Matt Struble

Matt Struble capturing the moment—2025 DN World Champion in action! Photo by Anna Suslova.

As most of us in North America are snowed out from ice sailing, it’s the perfect time to sit back and listen to the latest Sailing Anarchy podcast featuring 2025 DN World & North American Champion Matt Struble!SA’s Scott Tempesta caught up with Matt after his dominant performance on Lake Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where he secured the DN World & North American titles. While his scores made it look easy, Matt shares just how tough the event really was. As Scott put it: “I just chatted him up, and I can tell he is going to be a great guest!” The episode drops this afternoon, so be sure to tune in and hear insights from one of the best in the sport.

Listen here: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/www.buzzsprout.com/2116610/episodes/16631972-sailing-anarchy-podcast-49.mp3
Or check out the SA podcasts on Apple, Google, or Spotify podcasts.

 

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