Optimist, Open Skiff, Youth & Olympic Sailing Blog

A new Laser class, called « The Laser Class » - presented as « a class for sailors, by sailors » - was announced today, on the occasion of the RYA Dinghy Show in London. Note: if you haven't done so yet, please read  Sailing and the Coronavirus . The class is supported by a number of Laser sailors until now associated with  EurILCA / ILCA, as well as UK Laser builder LaserPerformance. The Laser Class Interim President is Heini Wellman, from Switzerland, who is the immediate past president of the International Laser Class Association (ILCA). The Laser Class is presented to be a class « For sailors, by sailors - with the original Laser spirit in One Design dinghies. » « Welcome to The Laser Class. Or should I say, welcome to the original One Design Laser Class that we all wanted. I wish we didn’t have to go down this road but it’s time that the largest racing dinghy class also be the most democratic and the most respected. So many around the w...

After several months of silence, here is what LaserPerformance has to say about its relationship with the international Laser class ILCA, the lengthy delays in the tractations with ILCA for a possible reinstatement as an authorized builder, and why it has not signed the paperwork, presented by ILCA, for being reinstated as a builder. LaserPerformance Media Release - 6 February 2020 Why is LaserPerformance still not an approved ILCA Builder? Many Laser sailors have contacted LP and asked why LP has not signed the ILCA Builder’s Agreement, reappointing LP as a Laser Builder. We take this opportunity to update you on the latest developments. In mid-August 2019 the World Council of World Sailing voted for Laser to be the single-handed dinghy sailboat for the 2024 Olympics. This was based on the World Sailing Submission that said the following about LP and PSA: “(c) ILCA is in process to approve LaserPerformance Europe as a builder. LPE has agreed to the terms of approval and ILC...

Planned obsolescence is a well known and shameful feature when it comes to cell phones and other electronic equipment. It is now establishing itself in the Laser class, the self-proclaimed  « epitome » of strict one-design sailing. Sailors are now left with the dilemma of either being slower or having to upgrade their equipment at substantial cost. This trend has vast, existential, consequences for the future of Laser sailing. Changes to Hull, Blades, Mast The Australian Laser Class Association published on its website pictures of newly designed rudders and centerboards for the Laser - or « ILCA Dinghy. » Also, the Australian association describes changes that are being made to the hull laminate around the centerboard and the transom. And the Australian association also confirms the availability, at a steep price, of new composite mast bottom sections for the Radial. See details at http://lasersdownunder.com/ « Changes have been made to reduce damage not to make ...

"che colui che inganna, troverà sempre chi si lascerà ingannare" // "he who seeks to deceive will always find someone who will allow himself to be deceived."  -- Machiavelli -- Il Principe - The Prince A recent posting by the Laser class ILCA on its official Facebook page refers to « festive #laser sailing » and features an Italian fleet of Radials. One of the sailors even wears a Santa hat. Yes, in this holiday season, you may believe there is a sense of peacefulness. That there may be a truce in the Laser disputes. It looks all perfect. Yet, is this a perfect holiday season for Laser sailors? Not really. Festive Laser Sailing ... Really? While posting this Christmas holiday picture featuring Radials, the International Laser Class Association - ILCA - has a special Christmas gift for its membership. Yes, ILCA is already acting, in a way some will call machiavellian, towards dropping the Radial and 4.7 names, along with the Laser name,...

Here is an update about Laser class developments in this end of the year 2019, a chaotic year for the Laser, which started with the « termination » of the world’s largest builder - LaserPerformance - in March, followed by a controversial and partially reversed name-change in April and the loss to the RS Aero in the World Sailing equipment trials. Yet the Laser was saved by the insistence by World Sailing member countries to keep the boat Olympic. World Sailing then worked with the Laser class on « proposed arrangements » aimed at getting the class to meet antitrust and other requirements. 4.7 ILCA Sail (4.7 Branding Has Been Removed) But the controversial « proposed arrangements » of the Laser class remain to be implemented, and undoubtedly to be legally tested. Meanwhile, there is impatience, particularly in Europe, where shortages of equipment are becoming acute, to the point that the European branch of the Laser class - EurILCA - issued an ultimatum to its mother organization...

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 unde...

The international Laser class published today a synopsis of its recent World Council meeting. Included is a « Resolution of the ILCA World Council » dated November 24 2019, whereby the council accepts the results of the 2019 rule change vote. « The voting results were independently audited and have been reviewed and verified to the satisfaction of the World Council, which considers this matter is fully concluded. » The resolution is signed by 13 council members. As previously indicated, there are major Australian and  USA influences on that council, with 5 members from these 2 countries alone. Somewhat surprisingly, the two representatives of EurILCA present at the meeting in Texas also endorsed the vote. A third European representative, the former president of ILCA, was absent. The vote is one of the elements in the Laser class unusual strategy to « debrand » the Laser, to circumvent the Laser trademarks and to appoint new builders. The idea is for new builders to se...