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.
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!
Sam Bartel US1011 pushes off at the start of the Gold Qualifier. Photo: Anna Suslova
2025 DN World Championship Report Day 1, February 2, 2025
PROVISIONAL RESULTS
The Grinders of the Day award goes to Sam Bartel US1011, Guy Lovejoy US4638, and Rick Lemberg Jr. US4755 for their climb from the Bronze Fleet all the way to the Gold Fleet. Battling through two rounds of qualifiers is no easy task, but their determination earned them a spot in the top fleet.
The Gold Fleet Race 1 was a test of patience and finesse, as competitors had to rely on all their light-air sailing skills to navigate the course. Swedish sailor Oskar Svensson S714 proved to be the ultimate light-air assassin, taking first place in the only Gold Fleet race of the day.
Chris Teal US5285 claimed victory in the Bronze Fleet, and in Silver, Jeff Roseberry US5687 received top honors.
After the first Gold Fleet race, we waited for the wind to fill back in, allowing the Bronze Fleet to complete a second race. The wily veteran Chris Clark US4789 showed his experience and skill, winning Bronze Race 2.
The light air came out of the south/southwest today, creating a hazy and overcast day on Lake Winnebago. Looking ahead, tomorrow’s forecast predicts winds from the north at 5-15 mph, setting the stage for another intense day of competition.
Gold fleet race one was protested and after review, the protest committee ruled that the race stands.
The championship continues—stay tuned for more action from Lake Winnebago!
Photo Gallery Anna Suslova. See Anna’s Photo Gallery here (password is sail):world
The conductor starts the show.
Dideric Van Riemsdijk S867
Keith Schwark US5183 and Sam Bartel US1011
KA2 taking a break.
Oskar Svensson
Jacek Marzenski
PRO Pat Heppert starts a race.
Dogs like ice boating!
Stay updated with the latest results, photos, and behind-the-scenes coverage:
Website – Visit IDNIYRA.org for official announcements, race updates, and results.
The 2025 DN Western Region Championship has been called ON for Lake Winnebago, Fond Du Lac, WI for January 11 – 12. There is a huge piece of old, black ice there. Ice thickness at the launch is 12″ and 8-10″ out on the race course. DNs have been sailing on Lake Winnebago the last two weeks.
Important Notes:
REGISTRATION
Online registration is mandatory and must be completed no later than 5:00 PM CT on
All DN participants must submit proof of liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $300,000. This is mandatory to compete. Please email your proof of insurance to secretary.idniyra@gmail.org as soon as possible. If you have submitted insurance for the 2025 Worlds, you do not have to submit again.
LAUNCH SITE Sunset On the Water
N7364 Winnebago Dr, Fond du Lac, WI 54935 IMPORTANT: Do Not Leaved Your Cars Or Trailers In The Parking Lot At The Sunset Bar. Please Park Across The Street In The Surf Shop Parking Lot Or On The Ice. You May Leave Trailers At The Surf Shop Overnight. Let’s strive to leave a good impression of ice sailors.
LODGING Radison Hotel & Conference Center
625 W Rolling Meadows Dr, Fond du Lac, WI 54937
+19206384175
Comfort Inn
77 Holiday Ln, Fond du Lac, WI 54937
+19209331159
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday: 5 PM CT online registration closes.
Saturday: 9:00 AM CT Skippers Meeting
Saturday: 10:00 CT First start. If fleets are split, Silver Fleet will start first.
Sunday: 10:00 CT First start. Races can start as late as 3:00 PM CT, at the discretion of the Race Committee.
SENIOR SHUFFLE UPDATE Senior Shuffle Information Page “We’ve got a beautiful sheet of ice on Lake Monona in Madison, but it’s not quite thick enough for this weekend. So, we’ll be 76 minutes north of Madison in Fond du Lac for the 2025 Western Regional.
When things wrap up on Sunday, we’ll head to Madison for the kick off of the first annual Senior Shuffle. We’ve got a great rate lined up at our oft used HQ hotel, The Clarion. Just $79/night and less than a mile from the Olin Park Launch.
We will have group social functions on both Monday and Tuesday nights. Standby for details. Prize giving on the ice Wednesday to wrap things up. All fun…no running…all are welcome, whether you are a “Senior” or not. All will race under the special senior rules. See you there!” Daniel Hearn
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
