Labor Day is behind us and the countdown to ice has begun. Thirteen weeks remain to get your gear ready for the Western Challenge, December 5, 2025 in Minnesota. If Finland is on your calendar, the first gathering of the season arrives even sooner in Week 46 this November. In this month’s Runner Tracks, dive into rules at the leeward mark and enjoy our feature interview with World 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.
Check out the intense action captured by Jeff Kent’s drone at the 2024 North American Championship. Witness Nicolas Mabboux KC5508, Jim Grogan US3, Ron Sherry US44, and Matt Struble US183 battling it out at the weather mark.
The DN season wasn’t over yet for 2023 World & North American champion Matt Struble US183 who sailed in his home state of California yesterday at America’s Landsailing Championship held at Ivanpah. Considered the “cathedral of land sailing,” Ivanpah dry lake is located on the border of California and Nevada. He joined other ice sailors from around the country. Via Ken Smith’s Facebook page:
A brisk first day sailing ALC at Ivanpah, CA. About 70 competitors in roughly 90 land sailing yachts (sailors in multiple classes). Midwest DN iceboaters include Bob Cave, Lou Lonnecke, Pat Heppert, Pete Johns, and Daniel Hearn. Also Bill Dale and a pair from New England.
We sailed one round of five class starts. We got DN champ Matt Strubble racing in a mini skeeter, a class 3, and a DN on wheels. Wide wind range, shifty direction, and large wind holes made sailing, umm, interesting! -Ken Smith
Matt Struble replies: Absolute blast! Thanks Ken Smith, Peete Johns for a great day of sailing. I logged some wonderful miles of sailing. Felt at home in the DN, especially at the start.
Matt with Pete John’s DN kitted out with a land sailing conversion kit.
Matt Struble US183 won this year’s World and North American Championships on Lake Kegonsa in Madison, WI (USA). In this video, Samuel Bartel US1011 talks with Matt about how he won the world championship. They discuss regatta preparation, equipment, strategy, and much more!
Photos in this video are from Cathy Firmbach and Mike Roemer.
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2026 REGATTA DATES
North American Championship
January 24 – 31
World & European Championships
Feb 14 – 21 idniyra.eu
