LATEST NEWS
2026 September Runner Tracks Is Here
Runner Tracks
The Online Magazine of the International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association
Current Issue: September 2026
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
- The Sponsorship Question – Thoughts from IDNIYRA Members
- 2026 Junior World & European Championship Report
Get this issue in a full color soft cover book for $20.
The September 2026 issue of Runner Tracks is now online.
Inside, we take up The Sponsorship Question, with North American sailors weighing in on the proposal to allow individual sponsorship in the DN class. We also head to Znin, Poland, for Darius Gerasimavicius’s report on the 2026 Junior World and European Championships, along with complete results and photos by Bartosz Modelski.
Read the new issue online, or order a printed copy.
Please give your support to our sponsors who advertise with Runner Tracks. We can’t do it without them!
2026 Western Challenge – Let’s Go!
Let the Epicness begin. Via Tim Oelschlager of the Minnesota Iceboaters group.
Western Challenge called “ON!”
December 4, 5 and 6, 2026.
Best Ice in Minnesota.
All DNers are welcome.
It’s going to be EPIC!
The Western Challenge is an informal early-season DN gathering. It’s a chance to get back on the ice, tune boats, test equipment, and shake off the rust before the racing season begins. There’s no formal racing program. The location remains open until conditions become clear, then we head to the best available ice in Minnesota. Stay tuned for updates on the Minnesota Iceboaters Facebook page or right here.
Eight Bells: Lloyd “Think Ice” Roberts
Via the New England Ice Yacht Club website
In ice sailing, the words “Think Ice” have been heard for decades.
They come from Think Ice!, the book written by Lloyd Roberts. But over the years, the words became part of the language of our sport.
Lloyd Roberts has passed away, and two remembrances posted by our friends at the New England Ice Yacht Association give a wonderful sense of the man behind those words.
Years ago, James “T” Thieler US5224 had just lost his job when Lloyd called to help him figure out how to build a new runner plank. Lloyd later wrote him:
“Don’t sweat the job thing — the happiest, sailing-est iceboaters are the ones who don’t put too much emphasis on things like work.”
And then, naturally: “THINK ICE!”
John Stanton US5023 knew Lloyd for more than three decades and writes about the many ways Lloyd worked to bring others into ice sailing. As John puts it, Lloyd “did not just love iceboating. He wanted other people to discover it.”
And all these years later, Think Ice! is still available from the Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club in Maine. This book is a must-have on your ice sailing library shelf.
Read T’s story and John’s remembrance. They are both worth your time.
T Thieler remembers Lloyd Roberts
https://neiya.org/2026/08/21/rembering-lloyd-roberts/
John Stanton: Think Ice — and Remember the Man Who Wrote the Book
https://neiya.org/2026/08/17/think-ice-and-remember-the-man-who-wrote-the-book/
Eight Bells, Lloyd Roberts.
Think Ice.
2026 Election and Specifications Ballot Results
2026 DN North American Championship. Photo: Rachel Bartel for @harken_inc
PREVIOUS: Notice of 2026 IDNIYRA & IDNIYRA EU Ballot
Voting has concluded for the 2026 DN North America Officer Election and the IDNIYRA Specifications Ballot.
DN North America Officers
The following officers were elected to serve one-year terms beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027:
Rob Holman, Commodore
Karen Binder, Vice Commodore
Deb Whitehorse, Secretary/Treasurer
Bob Cummins, Past Commodore
A total of 44 of 151 eligible ballots were cast in the election. Complete election results may be viewed here: LINK
IDNIYRA Specifications Ballot
Members of IDNIYRA North America and IDNIYRA Europe voted on the Technical Committee proposal to revise the Official Specifications: General, Section C (Mast), and Section D (Boom).
The proposal was approved by a vote of 63 in favor and 3 opposed.
A total of 70 ballots were cast, with 66 votes tallied and 4 abstentions. Complete election results may be viewed here. LINK
The revised specifications will take effect on July 1, 2026.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the voting process.
Jane Pegel, 1934–2026: Champion, Innovator, and DN Leader
UPDATE: Funeral Information
Date: Friday, June 26
Visitation: 9 AM – 11 AM
Service: 11 AM
Location: Delavan United Methodist Church 213 S. 2nd Street, Delavan, WI. LINK TO MAP
Memorials in Janes name may be directed to Geneva Lake Sailing School LINK or Green Lake Area Animal Shelter.
Arrangements made by Toynton Funeral Home, 328 Kenosha Street, Walworth, WI (262) 275-2171.
Susie requests that if you attend the funeral, please wear your sailing apparel.
The DN community has lost one of its pioneers and most influential contributors.
Jane Pegel passed away on June 6, 2026, at the age of 92.
Jane began her iceboating career sailing the Skeeter I-169 Holy Smoke before transitioning to the DN class in the mid-1950s. Racing first as DN 305 and later DN 805, she became one of the sport’s top competitors. When Jane won the DN North American Championship in 1963, she became the first woman to win a major DN championship outright.
Her impact on the DN class extended far beyond racing results.
For decades, Jane served as chairperson of the DN Technical Committee, helping guide the development of the class and safeguard the one-design principles that remain the foundation of DN racing today. She was also a member of the group that established the National Iceboat Authority and helped formulate the right-of-way rules that continue to govern iceboat racing. She was also inducted in to the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2021.
Jane belonged to a generation that built the modern sport. Whether through competition, technical leadership, or rulemaking, her contributions shaped the DN class and influenced countless sailors who followed.
The DN class extends its condolences to her daughter, Susie Pegel, family, and friends.
Jane Pegel’s DN Statistics
IDNIYRA Commodore, 1961
IDNIYRA North American Championship Regatta
2 first place finishes in 1960 and 1963
7 second place finishes in 1958, 1959, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1978
1 fourth place finish in 1968
1 first place B fleet (Silver fleet) finish in 1981
Northwest Ice Yacht Racing Association Regatta
DN Class
11 first place finishes in 1960, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1976, 1984, 1990
41 times highest placing woman 1958, 1961 – 1963, 1965 -1967, 1969-1977
Notice of 2026 IDNIYRA and IDNIYRA EU Ballots
Photo: 2026 North American Championship – Rachel Bartel for @harken_inc
Notice of 2026 IDNIYRA and DN North America Ballots
Voting will soon open for two separate ballots using ElectionBuddy. Email notices containing voting links will be sent later today.
DN North America Officer Election
DN North America members will receive a ballot for the election of officers for the 2026–2027 term. Positions include:
- Commodore
- Vice Commodore
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Past Commodore
Terms will begin July 1, 2026, and end June 30, 2027.
IDNIYRA Specifications Rewrite Ballot
In addition to the officer election, both North American and European members will receive a separate ballot concerning proposed changes to the Official IDNIYRA Specifications.
The IDNIYRA Technical Committee has completed a comprehensive rewrite and reorganization of the specifications intended to improve clarity, consistency, readability, and long-term maintenance of the class rules.
The ballot concerns proposed changes to:
- General
- Section C: Mast
- Section D: Boom
These proposals were published in the December 2025 issue of Runner Tracks.
Relevant pages from Runner Tracks will be attached directly to the ballot in ElectionBuddy for review prior to voting.
If approved, the revised specifications will take effect on July 1, 2026.
The complete December 2025 issue of Runner Tracks may also be viewed here:
Please watch your email for ballot notifications from ElectionBuddy.
Runner Tracks May 2026
Cover Photo: Gilles Morelle – “A Fresh Look at the Ice”
The May 2026 issue of Runner Tracks is now available. Along with championship coverage, specification rewrites, regatta results, and features on Rasmus Maalinn and Karol Jabłoński, this issue includes an important proposed change to the Regatta Management Agreement concerning sponsorship.
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
- Reflections from DN World Champion Rasmus Maalinn
- Karol Jabłoński’s podium finishes at all three major championships
- Proposed specification rewrites from the Technical Committee
- RMA Sponsorship proposals for the DN class
- Full results from the 2026 North American, World, and European Championships
2027 DN World, North American, and European Championship Dates
The conductor starts the show.
It’s time to mark your calendars! The 2027 DN championship schedule is now set, giving sailors a clear runway into the next season.
DN World & North American Championships
Hosted by the Eastern Region (USA)
January 31 – February 6, 2027
Registration: January 30
DN European Championship
Germany (host fleet with support from multiple European fleets)
February 20 – 27, 2027
As always, final locations will depend on ice and will be announced closer to the events. Now the clock starts. Boatbuilding season is here.
The Last Dance
The last sailing of the season with the Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada DN group.
David “Frosty” Frost has been on a quest these past few weeks to find sailable spring ice, and with Martha Croasdale, took the gamble on Thunder Bay this past weekend, where the mission paid off. It’s a good reminder that for many, like Frosty, DN sailing isn’t only about racing, but about the chase, the people, and days like this. There are only 32 weeks until we’re back on the ice in Minnesota for the season opener, the Western Challenge, and it’s time to get into boat building mode.
2026 Eastern Region Champs Tentatively Called ON for Moosehead, Maine
Sebastian Sørensen at the 2026 North American Championship. Photo Rachel Bartel for @harken_inc
The Eastern Region isn’t done yet. Moosehead Lake in Maine often delivers some of the best sailing of the season this time of year.
Eastern Region Commodore James “T” Theiler US5224 has tentatively called the Eastern Region Championship for Moosehead on March 28–29. LINK
Come for the sailing. Stay for the scenery and the camaraderie. A strong way to close the season and one you’ll be glad you didn’t miss.
Hey Folks-
Once again the forecast during the week is looking favorable for decent ice at Moosehead Lake in central Maine this weekend.
AND the weekend itself looks good too!
So as IDNIYRA Eastern Regional Commodore I am calling the regatta on for the weekend.
Please email me at [email protected] and let me know if you are interested, this will help me get a read on how many hotel rooms etc we will need.
Look forward to hearing from everyone! Stay tuned….
T Thieler DN US 5224
Runner Tracks March 2026
Runner Tracks
The Online Magazine of the International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association
March 2026
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
- THE PROTEST COMMITTEE EXPLAINED
- WHY DN SAILING?
- NEW DN PLANS?
- TWO ROOKIE RACE REPORTS
- RULES AND TACTICS
- SPEED INSIGHTS
- AGM MINUTES
Get this issue in a full color soft cover book for $20.
New Issue of Runner Tracks: One of Our Best Yet
The latest issue of Runner Tracks is now available, and it may be one of our best yet. This issue is packed with useful articles that speak to many aspects of DN sailing, from rules and tactics to equipment and the experience of getting started in the class.
One of the highlights is a pair of rookie race reports that offer two very different paths into DN sailing.
Peter Shorett came to the DN with no prior ice sailing experience. He arrived curious and willing to learn, and his story captures the excitement and challenge of stepping onto the ice for the first time.
Ryan Kyle’s path was a bit different. He had already spent time sailing recreationally on Sandusky Bay before deciding to take the next step and enter his first championship regatta. His account reflects the perspective of someone who already loved the sport but wanted to see what racing was all about.
Both sailors share something important in common: they are passionate soft-water sailors who discovered that DN sailing offers a new dimension of speed and competition. We are delighted to welcome them to the class.
We are also honored to include an article from Gordy Bowers. Gordy is a legend in the soft-water sailing world, participated in the first DN Gold Cup, and was recently awarded the prestigious Herreshoff Award by US Sailing. His contribution adds a broader perspective from one of sailing’s most respected voices.
Current Newsletter
DN VIDEOS
iceboat.org
- September 28, 2026: DN Sail in MN September 28, 2026
Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club
- “Line Em Up” September 18, 2026
