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.
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.
Matt Struble US183 – 2025 DN North American Champion
2025 DN NA RESULTS
Day 4 Report– 2025 DN North American Championship
Friday, February 7 – The Last Day of Racing
The final day of the 2025 DN North American Championship dawned cold but clear, with the sun shining and the winds finally calming down after Thursday’s wild storm. With the previous day’s 50 mph gusts still fresh in our minds, no one knew exactly what we would find at the launch. Big winds have a big effect on big ice, but fortunately, PRO Pat Heppert took an early 13-mile Dawn Patrol ride down the lake to ensure no wayward DNs had continued their solo journey overnight.
Back at the launch, local sturgeon fishermen were hauling their ice shacks back onto the lake, giving us confidence that the ice was safe. With temperatures low, it was clear that the final day’s racing would once again be scored from the warmth of cars.
“The wind was confused,” as Regatta Chair Peter Johanson put it, after blowing like crazy the day before. This meant constant adjustments—PRO Pat Heppert and his crew had to reset the starting line and marks after almost every race as the shifting breeze kept everyone on their toes. Fortunately, we were racing in a spot where sturgeon apparently don’t like to hang out, so there were no conflicts with fishing shacks on the course.
We needed six more races to complete the championship, and the fleet delivered with tight, competitive sailing. The racing remained intense, with different winners in almost every race, proving once again just how deep the competition runs in the DN class.
Matt Struble Defends His Title
In the end, Matt Struble successfully defended his championship, claiming victory as the 2025 DN North American Champion just days after winning his fifth World Championship. This marks his seventh North American title, further solidifying his legacy in the class.
Prize Giving & Final Farewells
The prize-giving ceremony took place back at the regatta headquarters, where a big group gathered to celebrate the competitors and wrap up an unforgettable week of racing. Competitors enjoyed pizza along with the trophy ceremony, giving everyone a chance to relax, share stories, and reflect on an incredible championship.
A huge thank you to Regatta Organizer and DN Central Region Commodore Peter Johanson for keeping everything on track, and to PRO Pat Heppert and his team for their tireless work in making this event a success. There are countless people who played a crucial role in making the regatta a success, from race officials and volunteers to ice scouts and supporters. A full thank-you post recognizing everyone’s contributions will be published soon—stay tuned!
To all the competitors who made the effort to attend both the Worlds and North Americans—thank you. We hope you had a great time, and we look forward to seeing you on the ice again soon!
Following the decision of a protest, Race 5 of the Silver Fleet in the 2025 DN North American Championship has been updated to reflect a disqualification (DSQ) for G390. However, this ruling did not affect the overall standings or race results beyond the individual DSQ. The updated results have been recorded accordingly.
Matt Struble US183 – 2025 DN North American Champion
Podium: From left: 2nd Robert Graczyk P31, 1st Matt Struble US183, 3rd Lukasz Zakrzewski P155
Bronze Fleet: 1st Brian Jones U3576
2nd Tim Mower US5871
3rd David Silsby US5708
4th Steven Brown US5638
5th Eben Whitcomb US4775
6th Lester Druiven KC3475
7th Michael Rian US467
8th Erin Bury US5397
9th Dalan Smith US5484
10th Peggy Menzies US5677
Silver Fleet: 1st Anja Fiedler G390
2nd Nicolas Mabboux KC5508
3rd Karen Binder US5630
4th Jody Kjoller US5435
5th Matt Meyer US5646
6th Andrew Allen US5451
7th Bill Cutting US5430
8th Chris Gordon US5590
9th Bryon Eichorn US5670
10th Rick Gordon US5498
Gold Fleet: 1st Matt Struble US183
2nd Robert Graczyk P31
3rd Lukasz Zakrzewski P155
4th Karol Jablonski P36
5th Maciej Zarnowski P338
6th Michal Burzczynski P114
7th Tomasz Zakrzewski P55
8th Gustav Linden S887
9th Chad Atkins US4487
10th Steve Orlebeke US4926
Video above shows why we postponed racing today.
Via PRO Pat Heppert
Attention DN Racers!!
Due to today’s high winds, please read ALL of the following announcements:
Racing on Friday, February 7 will be held as scheduled, with a 9 AM skippers meeting and a 10 AM first race start. The starting order will be Bronze, Silver, Gold.
Today’s high winds resulted in many trailers and boats blowing around, even some that were tied down and anchored. Several parties have been at the lake to secure the trailers and boats in the launch area. We are confident that anything remaining in the launch area is now secure for the night, and the winds are decreasing. However, at least some boats were blown across the lake and will need to be retrieved tomorrow. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE DOING ANYTHING.
The ice is assumed to not necessarily be safe, even in the areas we have been sailing. We are now completely starting over on ice scouting. Treat it like it’s a whole new lake that you haven’t been to before.
Do NOT immediately drive cars across the bridges in the morning. The ice has already shifted, and the pressure ridge is actively changing. The fishing club will inspect bridges in the morning, and we will have no trouble getting off tomorrow afternoon.
Do NOT go sailing before the skippers meeting. There are absolutely new cracks, holes, and heaves that the race committee will be inspecting at first light.
The race committee has several 4-wheelers with trailers to help search and retrieve boats and trailers as needed.
The Western region 4-wheeler will be utilized to set the race course.
The rest of the race committee 4-wheelers will be used to help search and retrieve boats and trailers as needed.
Many ice screws and ropes have been used to secure everything today. Please inspect your trailer and boat moorings, and bring all the ice screws and ropes that do not belong to you to the skippers meeting at 9 AM, along with any other lost and found items.
NA PROVISIONAL RESULTS
We all met on the ice this morning, but before anyone started setting up, it was clear that enthusiasm for racing was low. The IDNIYRA Governing Committee gathered and determined that the wind forecast—with gusts up to 50 mph—was too high for racing. The decision was made to postpone racing for the day, and the announcement was met with a round of applause from the competitors. The lack of sails-up underscored that the conditions weren’t suitable for competitive racing.
As I write this, I can see the wind picking up, confirming that the governing board made the right call. PRO Pat Heppert encouraged competitors to take advantage of the lay day and check out another sport known for speed—the famous Oshkosh Experimental Aircraft Museum, just a few minutes up the road.
Meanwhile, back at the hotel, there’s still plenty to keep sailors entertained. Those staying in Fond du Lac’s Radisson Hotel can enjoy its large swimming pool, hot tub, restaurant, and bar, making for a relaxing break from the ice.
Updated Schedule for Friday, February 7
9:00 AM – Skippers Meeting
10:00 AM – First Race
Fleet sequence: Bronze → Silver → Gold
We plan to sail 3 more races in each fleet, aiming for a total of 7 races for each fleet, conditions permitting
North American Prize Giving will take place on the ice at the conclusion of the regatta
The 2025 DN North American Championship will conclude tomorrow, as we are in the direct path of an incoming snowstorm forecasted for Saturday.
Taking full advantage of the lay day, Pat Heppert brought out one of his shop-creations—a Mini Skeeter. When I left the ice, sailors were lined up, waiting for their turn to take a ride.
Tomorrow, we get back to racing. Stay tuned for updates!
Peter Johanson takes a detour to the dark side – taking a ride in Pat’s Mini Skeeter – but can you really ever have enough iceboats?
Skipper’s meeting.
Stay updated with the latest results, photos, and behind-the-scenes coverage:
Website – Visit IDNIYRA.org for official announcements, race updates, and results.
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.
