The DN community extends its sympathies to the Sherry family on the passing of their sister, Jane. Jane played a key role in the IDNIYRA, serving as a race committee member and scorer, and as IDNIYRA Secretary from 1996 to 2000.
Via Ron Sherry and Loretta Rehe “It is with a heavy heart that Loretta, Kevin, and I announce the sudden passing of our amazing sister, Jane Sherry. She passed peacefully in her own bed on Christmas Day while getting ready to join us for Christmas dinner. The family is planning a private interment at Resurrection Cemetery, and a Celebration of Life at Crescent Sail Yacht Club on March 28 between 1:00 and 5:00 pm.” Link to obituary.
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.
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
With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Mike Madge KC5449, a DN sailor from Thunder Bay, Ontario. Mike was a tireless promoter of the DN class in Canada, and his death leaves a significant void in the Thunder Bay ice sailing community.
His enthusiasm helped introduce many to ice sailing in Thunder Bay. Beyond his local efforts, Mike was also known for his excellent YouTube interviews, where he engaged with the rock stars of DN sailing. He asked insightful questions, providing a platform for these sailors to share their experiences and knowledge, which enriched the ice sailing community worldwide.
Mike’s contributions to the DN class and spirit will be greatly missed. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Mike’s family during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Mike Madge.
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
The DN community extends its sympathies to the Sherry family on the passing of their sister, Jane. Jane played a key role in the IDNIYRA, serving as a race committee member and scorer, and as IDNIYRA Secretary from 1996 to 2000.
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.
