Photos: Bartosz Modelski – PZZ
From January 21–25, 2026, the town of Żnin in Poland became the beating heart of international youth ice sailing, hosting the Junior DN and Ice Optimist World and European Championships. The event will be remembered as one of the most significant, demanding, and flawlessly executed junior ice sailing championships ever held in Europe.
This championship stood out not only for its exceptionally high sporting level, but also for the dramatic and ever-changing natural conditions — and the historic achievement of completing the entire racing program as planned, a rare accomplishment in ice sailing.
The regatta took place on Lake Jezioro Żnińskie Duże, where competitors were greeted by approximately 20 centimeters of ice and winds ranging from 8 to 11 knots. Conditions evolved daily and sometimes hourly: from mirror-flat, ultra-fast “Hollywood ice,” allowing breathtaking speeds, to brutally demanding snow-covered courses that athletes compared to a “Dakar Rally on ice.” These contrasts required not only speed, but also supreme tactical awareness, adaptability, mental resilience, and flawless equipment preparation.
In total, the championship successfully delivered:
- 7 races in the DN and Ice Optimist World Championships
- 7 DN races and 6 Ice Optimist races in the European Championships
The event was organized by the Polish DN Fleet under the leadership of Commodore Marek Stefaniuk (PL‑107). The role of Junior Manager and Principal Race Officer was held by Darius Gerasimavičius. The Race Committee included Marek Stefaniuk, Jurek Sukow, Zdzisław Prot, and Kęstutis Barauskas. Crucial support came from the Żnin Municipality, Mayor Łukasz Kwiatkowski, and the management of Cukrownia Żnin, led by Krzysztof Milczarek.
“This championship showed what true teamwork means. The changing ice and weather conditions, the large fleet, and the intense schedule required quick decisions and experience. Completing the full racing program makes this a historic championship for Poland and junior ice sailing.”
DN Class – A Battle Decided Meter by Meter
The Junior DN World Championship was highlighted by a brilliant performance from Sweden’s Tom Hogård (S‑906), who claimed three race victories and secured the World Champion title after an intense battle against the strongest sailors from Estonia and Poland.
“Superb racing, superb company, superb coaching — everything came together. This was a week where every meter mattered, and exactly these conditions shape real champions.”
Junior DN World Championship Podium
- 1st – Tom Hogård (Sweden) S-906
- 2nd – Mateusz Gigielewicz (Poland) P-89
- 3rd – Jakub Kamiński (Poland)
Junior DN European Championship Podium
- 1st – Mateusz Gigielewicz (Poland) P-89
- 2nd – Karl Ader (Estonia) C-80
- 3rd – Jakub Kamiński (Poland) P-280
Ice Optimist Class
Junior Ice Optimist World Championship Podium
- 1st – Eva Mägi (Estonia) C-2
- 2nd – Antonina Dziekańska (Poland) P-89
- 3rd – Uku Melnits (Estonia) C-1
Junior Ice Optimist European Championship Podium
- 1st – Eva Mägi (Estonia) C-2
- 2nd – Antonina Dziekańska (Poland) P-89
- 3rd – Uku Melnits (Estonia) C-1
The Polish Club ‘Energa Giżycka Grupa Regatowa’ achieved a remarkable six medals across the World and European Championships.
Lithuanian Highlights
- Vilius Račiūnas finished 14th in the DN World Championship in his debut.
- Rokas Kanapeckas finished 16th.
- Mykolas Leipus achieved a historic 7th place in the Ice Optimist European Championship.
Thanks to Coaches and Supporters
Special thanks to:
- Marcin Panas (Poland)
- Elise Umb (Estonia)
- Tomas Lindgren (Sweden)
- Darius Gerasimavičius (Lithuania)
- Barbara Dziekańska (Poland)
- Aivar Laus (Estonia)
Parents and sponsors also played a crucial role in enabling athlete preparation.
Estonia – Ice Optimist as a Gateway to Excellence
Estonia continues to set the benchmark for youth development in ice sailing. The Ice Optimist class is treated not as a side discipline, but as a fundamental foundation for future champions. Young sailors are encouraged to remain within ice‑sailing pathways rather than leaving the sport for unrelated disciplines.
The dominance of Eva Mägi and the consistent podium presence of Uku Melnits are no coincidence, but the result of a deliberate national strategy. Estonian coaches emphasise technical precision, decision-making in unstable conditions, and mental resilience — skills that later translate directly into success at the senior level.
This pathway has already proven its value in previous generations. World‑class sailors such as Rasmus Mallin (DN European Champion 2025) began their journey in Ice Optimist before progressing through Junior DN classes to the top of international ice sailing. Żnin provided further evidence that Estonia’s system continues to produce elite athletes year after year.
Sweden – Depth, Continuity, and Competitive Culture
Sweden arrived in Żnin with one of the largest and most cohesive junior teams with established headcoach Tomas Lindgren. Their approach is based on continuity: athletes are guided from Ice Optimist into DN with minimal dropout, supported by strong coaching structures and a deeply rooted ice‑sailing culture.
The performance of Junior DN World Champion Tom Hogård exemplified this system. His ability to remain fast and composed across radically changing conditions — from flat, high-speed ice to snow‑choked courses — reflected years of systematic preparation.
Swedish coaches place strong emphasis on athlete autonomy and race intelligence, allowing sailors to adapt instantly when conditions change. This philosophy has ensured that Sweden remains competitive across generations, rather than relying on isolated talents.
A Shared Lesson for the Future
What unites Estonia and Sweden is a clear understanding: ice sailing must be a complete, attractive pathway for young athletes, not merely a temporary step. By treating Ice Optimist as a serious starting class and providing clear progression into DN, both countries retain talent, build identity, and consistently deliver world‑class sailors.
The Żnin championships once again underlined that nations investing in long‑term development — rather than short‑term results — are the ones shaping the future of ice sailing.
Detailed results available on the regatta page: idniyra.eu/jwc2026/#results
Darius Gerasimavičius
Junior Programme Manager
IDNIYRA Europe