Event Recap: 2025 DN Eastern Regional Championship

The 2025 DN Eastern Regional Championship, held this past weekend at Lake Winnipesaukee in Gilford, New Hampshire, was an exhilarating event showcasing the rapid growth and excitement surrounding ice sailing.  The inaugural championship for the DN class, the most popular iceboat in the world, drew the ice-sailing community from across New England to compete for the title of Eastern Regional Champion.  

A cold, overcast day provided ideal conditions for ice boating, with competitors facing light winds from the Southeast and smooth 5” thick ice. 

Photos by Ben Crosby & Brogan Hurst

 

The event attracted a diverse group of competitors, ranging from seasoned ice sailors to those interested in trying out the sport. Similarly, the boats presented a wide range of constructions, with many home-made boats demonstrating the creativity and craftsmanship that accompany the sport. The competition featured six races, with fourteen New England challengers all vying for the title of Eastern Regional Champion.    

“Ice sailing is a community effort, remarks Paul Chamberland, Chairman of the Race Committee.  “If we didn’t have (a connection at Winnipesaukee) we wouldn’t have known that this ice was good, we would have gone to an area with snow drifts. Most of the people here have been into ice sailing for decades”.  

Like all sports on ice, the ice sailing community practices meticulous safety precautions before ever venturing far with heavy equipment. Hours before the race, participants scouted the ice, using tools to check thickness and identify hazards. 

“The golden word is safety, safety, safety” says Race Committee member James “T” Thieler, who emphasized the importance of paying attention on the ice.  

“We don’t need to push any incidents; we don’t need to have any tight situations…keep your head on a swivel”.   

Over the course of six races, the DN Eastern Regional Championship saw fierce competition with several standout performances. Ultimately, the championship title went to Chad Atkins, who demonstrated exceptional skill winning all six matches.  

Photos by Ben Crosby & Brogan Hurst

 

Overall: 

  1. Chad Atkins
  2. Paul Chamberland
  3. Karen Binder
  4. André Baby
  5. Jeff Roseberry

 For more results for the 2025 DN Eastern Regional Championship, click here 

 

Photos by Ben Crosby & Brogan Hurst