Five-Time Champion! Matt Struble celebrates moments after securing his fifth DN World Championship victory. Photo: Anna Suslova
2025 DN World Championship – Day 3 Report
RESULTS
The 2025 DN World Championship wrapped up today on Lake Winnebago, and we extend a huge congratulations to five-time champion Matt Struble US183. Having already claimed his fifth World Championship title, Matt continues to cement his legacy in DN racing.
Matt grew up in Bay City, Michigan, where Jan and Mead Gougeon, legends in the DN class, mentored him. Now living in San Diego, California, he balances his career as a Nissan engineer, Moth sailing, competitive ice sailing, and time with his family. A gracious and humble competitor, Matt once again proved why he is one of the best in the sport.
A Bright, Cold Final Day
Today’s conditions were much colder than the previous two days, but a beautiful sunrise over Lake Winnebago greeted us for the first time since we arrived. After days of cloudy, gloomy weather, the bright sunshine was a welcome change—even if it made writing down scores challenging for the scoring team’s frozen fingers.
Winds were 20 mph from the north when PRO Pat Heppert arrived early for his daily dawn patrol, inspecting the course by ATV to ensure a safe and fair race surface. Pat and the protest committee were busy last night, hearing seven protests, with the final one wrapping up around 10 PM. Yesterday was also a massive scoring day, with 15 races completed across all fleets.
The Final Showdown
Racing began right on time at 10 AM with the Silver Fleet. Silver Fleet Champion Daniel Hearn had already secured his victory with enough bullets in the bank to sit out the race, but he still came out to help manage the starting line and watch the Gold fleet race.
With Silver wrapped up, all eyes turned to the Gold Fleet showdown between Matt Struble US183 and Lukasz Zakrzewski P155, who was trailing by just three points. The flag dropped, and the final battle was on. Matt found another gear, pulling ahead of the fleet, chased by a pack of Poles, an Estonian, and Swedes.
Three laps later, it was over. The top five competitors headed straight to the measuring corral and were in high spirits, congratulating Matt and each other in the bright sunshine. Everyone left the ice smiling—partly from the excitement and partly because we were all ready for a well-earned break from the cold.
Looking Ahead: The North American Championship Begins
Today is check-in day for the 2025 DN North American Championship, which officially begins tomorrow. Here’s what competitors need to know:
Check-in is from 3 – 5 PM at Regatta Headquarters, Radisson Hotel, Fond du Lac.
The prize-giving, banquet, and raffle—managed by Junior Sailing Manager Sam Bartel US1011—will take place tonight at 7 PM at Sunset on the Water, N7364 Winnebago Drive, Fond du Lac, WI 5493
(Dinner is ordered off the menu, and guests will pay individually.)
A Strong Showing from the Junior Fleet
One of the biggest positives of this regatta has been the presence of seven junior sailors, demonstrating the bright future of DN racing.
From Sweden, Oskar Svensson S714 and Gustav Linden S887 both closed out their junior years in spectacular fashion. Oskar, who won the first race of the Worlds and finished 6th overall in Gold, and Gustav, who placed 8th in Gold, have firmly established themselves as solid Gold Fleet competitors. Both sailors have been coached by Tomas Lindgren S81, and it has been a pleasure to watch them grow into top-tier racers over the years.
Our North American juniors also delivered outstanding performances, most in their first major regatta:
Sam Bartel US1011 had a remarkable journey, qualifying from Bronze to Silver to Gold on the first day, ultimately finishing 31st in Gold Fleet.
Jack Brellinthin US130 placed 18th in Bronze, gaining valuable international experience.
Maggie McGary US2453 finished 15th in Silver Fleet, having qualified up from Bronze. Notably, she has competed in every regatta in the Western Region this season, showing incredible dedication to the sport.
Andrew Roeder US5706 placed 3rd in the second Bronze Fleet race and finished 21st overall in Bronze.
Sebastian Sorenson US5479 placed 32nd in Bronze, gaining valuable experience at the international level.
It’s impressive to see these young sailors step up in such a competitive event, and their performances are a testament to the effort being put into junior development. With a mix of experience and determination, this next generation of DN racers is proving they belong at the highest level.
There are countless people to thank for making this regatta possible—but we’ll save that for the conclusion of the North Americans.
Stay tuned for more updates as we shift into the next championship!
Stay updated with the latest results, photos, and behind-the-scenes coverage:
Website – Visit IDNIYRA.org for official announcements, race updates, and results.
Day 2 of the DN World Championship. Photo: Anna Suslova
PROVISIONAL RESULTS
Racing began right on time at 10 AM, with the fleet launching into a full day of competition. Fifteen races later, the day finished on the Bronze Fleets final race, leaving just two more races on Tuesday to determine the Silver and Gold Fleet champions.
Today brought a new set of conditions—colder than yesterday, still overcast, but this time with steady wind. That’s the mark of a well-rounded regatta: different challenges each day. As forecasted, the north wind held at 12-15 mph, providing consistent racing. A few course adjustments were needed, but they were made quickly to keep the races running smoothly. We sailed until the last possible moment to make the most of the day.
The ice was harder than yesterday and not as wet but still soft, with better grip than one week ago at the Northwest Regatta. Sailors adjusted well, leading to tight, competitive racing.
Standout Performances of the Day
Dideric van Riemsdijk S867 dominated the Bronze Fleet, taking bullets in every race.
Daniel Hearn US5352 was untouchable in the Silver Fleet, winning each race.
The Gold Fleet delivered intense battles, with Matt Struble US183 and Lukasz Zakrzewski P155 going head-to-head in every race, pushing each other to the limit.
With one more Gold Fleet race left on Tuesday, it all comes down to the final showdown. Tomorrow will tell the tale.
DN World Championship Day 3 – Tuesday, February 4 – Schedule
9:00 AM – Skippers Meeting
10:00 AM – First Race Silver Fleet 7, followed by Gold Fleet 7
7:00 PM – World Championship Banquet, awards, and raffle at Sunset on the Water
(Dinner is ordered off the menu, and each guest will pay individually.)
The final races will decide the Silver and Gold Fleet champions—stay tuned for the action!
DN North American Championship: What to Know for Tuesday, February 4
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.
Via 2023 DN Worlds & North American Event Photographer Cathy Firmbach:
Thanks for your patience! My online store is now open with a gallery for the 2023 DN World Championship. The first set of images are uploaded and they will continue to be uploaded over the next few days. The North American Championship images will follow in a new gallery.
Each image has the sail number(s) as a keyword (ie, us46 ) to make searching for your boat easy. You will find the search bar in the top right corner.
THANKS very much for your support! Without it, I would not be able to continue to be out there with you.
Hope to see you on the ice soon! See the gallery here.
Photo: Gwidon Libera The 2022 Polish DN Championship in Lithuania.
The ‘Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image’ is a yearly photographic contest and exhibition. It seeks to recognise the very best yacht racing image taken during the year, that best represents the essence and excitement of yacht racing as a sport.
Polish photographer Gwidon Libera’s DN photos have been featured many times on this website, the DN newsletter Runner Tracks, and the Yearbook. 2022 IDNIYRA World Champion Robert Graczyk P31 chose Gwidon’s photo for the cover of the 2023 IDNIYRA Yearbook. Gwidon’s photo, a dramatic capture of a mast failure from the 2021 Polish Championship, was an entry for the 2022 Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image of the year.
Though not the winning shot, it’s the number one photo among the DN community. Our photographers help tell the story of this sport. Thank you, Gwidon and all other photographers, for sharing your work with us over the years.
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.
