Laser Update: ILCA Faces European Ultimatum

Pressed by European Laser sailors, experiencing growing equipment shortages and feeling sidelined in the Laser class decision making, ILCA’s American president and executive secretary were given a tight January 1 2020 ultimatum.

In the absence of progress, EurILCA plans « to make any decision we believe necessary to protect the interests of our sailors, » stated the European arm of ILCA, that coordinates Laser activities in 42 countries.

The main concern during the EurILCA annual meeting, which took place in Rome, was to find a solution to the shortages of new boats and equipment.

« Mr. Eric Faust and Mr. Tracy Usher gently assisted to this European convention representing the International Laser Class Association, and they were asked to provide a satisfactory answer regarding this supplying issue. »

« After several hours without finding a satisfactory response, the European representatives decided to write the following Statement … »

The EurILCA statement underlines « a lack of trust between ILCA and Laser Performance » yet emphasizes that « strong  leadership from both parties will see this matter resolved before 1-1-2020. »

EurILCA has scheduled an extraordinary general assembly for mid January « to make any decision we believe necessary to protect the interests of our sailors. »

The other key aspects on which EurILCA is requiring ILCA to take rapid action are:

- Governance: EurILCA is calling for a reform of ILCA’s governance, ensuring transparency, avoiding conflicts of interest, and changing the composition of the World Council, so that it better reflects the membership base.

- New Rig: European sailors « look forward to being involved in both the development of the rig and the decision making process. »

EurILCA Statement - December 1 2019

EurILCA took a number of additional decisions, regarding events in 2021 and 2022, Team Racing and their Sustainability and Solidarity programs.

Read Below the Full Media Release

2019 European Annual General Meeting Report

The 2019 European Annual General Meeting concluded today in Rome, Italy, after 2 days of discussion. European countries were represented by their District Officers.

Main concern during this meeting was finding a solution for many European Laser Sailors that are facing a lack of supply of new boats and equipment in their regions.

Mr. Eric Faust and Mr. Tracy Usher gently assisted to this European convention representing the International Laser Class Association, and they were asked to provide a satisfactory answer regarding this supplying issue. After several hours without finding a satisfactory response, the European representatives decided to write the following Statement, hoping this problem could be fixed as soon as possible;

————

EurILCA EAGM Statement

We are concerned that European Laser Sailors are facing a lack of supply of new boats and equipment.

We believe this situation has come about through a lack of trust between ILCA and Laser Performance,  such that the agreements between ILCA and LP that is required to ensure supply of boats and equipment in Europe have yet to be signed.

We know strong  leadership from both parties will see this matter resolved before 1-1-2020.

We are strongly supportive of ILCA’s commitment to modernising their governance to bring it up  to todays standards. This will include representation on the ILCA World Council becoming more reflective of ICLAs membership base, ensuring transparency at all times and avoiding the appearance of any  conflicts of interest.

European Laser sailors are excited by the gradual and appropriate evolution of the Laser rig and look forward to being involved in both the development of the rig and the decision making process, as we move forward.

EurILCA have scheduled an extraordinary EAGM for mid January to make any decision we believe necessary to protect the interests of our sailors, should significant progress on the above points not be apparent.

————

In addition to this subject, many other things were decided, such as deepen the Sustainability programme, kindly managed by Ms. Asya Ikizler, and continuing with the Solidarity Programme and Team Racing regattas, firmly developed by Ms. Burcu Algon Giorgianni.

Regarding the next European championships, all 2021 venues were confirmed, so those will be the following;

2021 Laser 4.7 Youth European Championships & Open European Trophy – Travemünde, Germany – From July 23rd to 31th of 2021.
2021 Laser Radial Youth European Championships & Open European Trophy – Kastela, Croatia – Dates: TBA
2021 Laser Under 21 European Championships & Open European Trophy – Limassol, Cyprus – Dates: TBA
2021 Laser Senior European Championships & Open European Trophy – Varna, Bulgaria – Dates: TBA
2021 Laser Master European Championships – Arco, Italy – Dates: TBA
The 2022 venues were also decided, so those will be the following;

2022 Laser 4.7 Youth European Championships & Open European Trophy – Dziwnów, Poland – Dates: TBA
2022 Laser Radial Youth European Championships & Open European Trophy – Hourtin, France – Dates: TBA
2022 Laser Under 21 European Championships & Open European Trophy – Thessaloniki, Greece – Dates: TBA
2022 Laser Senior European Championships & Open European Trophy – Hyères, France – Dates: TBA
2022 Laser Master European Championships – Warnemünde, Germany – Dates: TBA
Bid forms for the 2023 venues are being prepared and will be published soon.

Next year’s 2020 EAGM will be held in Monaco within the last weekend of November.

We want to specially thanks the hospitality of the Italian Laser Class authorities, helping us supporting this meeting.

Source: https://eurilca.org/2019-european-annual-general-meeting-report/

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