Optimist, Open Skiff, Youth & Olympic Sailing Blog

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 ...

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...

The Aero 6: the New Rig Recommended for Women by RS Sailing The continuation of the Laser saga is now putting World Sailing in a very difficult situation. Yes, there was an August 1 deadline for the international Laser class ILCA to get FRAND and other agreements to be signed by its builders and  to get its house in order. It seems that the deadline was missed. ILCA has been betting on a highly contentious change to its internal class rules, and we don’t know yet the result of the vote by the membership. But as discussed in this blog, even if ILCA announces that the Yes won the rule change, there are substantial hurdles still to overcome. This includes whether World Sailing will approve the proposed generic or renamed boats, whether a Yes to the class rule vote, held via the inappropriate Survey Monkey app, will resist legally, and whether LaserPerformance will mount legal challenges against ILCA, dealers and other parties, which may completely paralyze the supply of hul...

World Sailing's Equipment Committee just voted for the Aero for the 2024 Olympics.  Here are the results: Aero 9; Laser/ILCA 3; D-Zero 0; Melges 0; Abstention: 1 Council vote to take place on Sunday 19.  Update: Council voted in favor of the Laser, against the recommendation of the equipment committee. However, the Laser will need to get an Olympic contract signed by August 1 2019, which will require it "to put its house in order" - with negotiations starting this May 22nd with the Laser class ILCA, LaserPerformance, other builders and World Sailing. Watch the full discussion at the equipment committee on youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKfwM6SkCQo

RS Sailing made public the development of an RS Aero 6 on social media. As discussed in our analysis of the World Sailing Evaluation Panel Report, all the rigs tested in Valencia, at the Sea Trials, were overpowered for women. RS Aero had already a 6 rig in development, but was not allowed to get it considered in Valencia - as per the rules governing the testing. The RS Aero 6 would be a replacement to the Laser Radial for female single-handed sailing at the Olympics. See our recommandation here . See Communiqué by RS Sailing and a picture of a RS Aero with a prototype 6 sail below. INTRODUCING – THE RS AERO 6... The RS Aero 6 has been discussed and sought by those who feel they too often fall in between the RS Aero 5 and RS Aero 7 rig sizes. Two and a half years ago an RS Aero 6 was initially developed. At that time the Class felt we were too young to be further split by a 4th rig. RS Sailing are now in the process of further refining an RS Aero 6 rig in anticipation of...

Aerial picture of the d-Zero built by Devoti Sailing in Poland.  The boat won many races at the Valencia trials, yet was ranked 4th by World Sailing World Sailing released on May 3rd the report of the Evaluation Panel of its Equipment Committee for the selection of a single-hander dinghy for the 2024 Olympics. The report follows a tender that was issued on May 25 2018, which called for bids to potentially replace the Laser.  Read our article Singlehanded Dinghies for the 2024 Olympics: Selection Criteria and Potential Contenders for more background on the invitation to bid by World Sailing. World Sailing's evaluation panel is composed of board members, staff, and members of the equipment and events committees as well as of the medical commission. There was also a coach nominated by World Sailing’s coaches commission. In total, there were 12 people involved. In addition, there were 11 sailors that were selected to participate in the sea trials that took place in Val...

World Sailing released today the much-awaited report of the Evaluation Panel of its Equipment Committee for the selection of a single-hander dinghy for the 2024 Olympics. The report favors the RS Aero, yet the Laser is also seen as suitable. This is not yet a final decision by World Sailing, as the decision will be made by the World Sailing Council. There will be lots of pressure for the Laser to be kept, despite its significantly lower score. Will the two discarded contenders be given a chance to comment on the report and possibly bring the World Sailing Council to consider them for 2024? The report is just out, but one can already suggest this report is a missed opportunity. For example, it is well-known that the Laser Radial is not a suitable boat for a majority of female sailors world-wide, because too powerful.  This is recognized in the report, which mentions for the Laser that "the women’s rig promotes a larger weight and height than desirable for worldwide av...

Day 1 of the World Sailing Valencia Sea Trials Photo credit: Michele Tognozzi/ farevela.net With the World Sailing sea trials having just started in Valencia to help determine which single-handed dinghy will be used at the 2024 Marseille Olympics, here are a few thoughts. For sure, there is lots of emotions, and many people are pretty upset that the Laser may be replaced, but reason may dictate that one of the three contenders - D-Zero, M-14 or RS-Aero - may be a more suitable choice for the long term development of single-handed sailing. Here are some thoughts at the beginning of these trials. In a nutshell, it is argued in this article that: the targeted optimal sailor weight for female athletes should be brought down from the current 68 kg (150 lbs) to about 60 kg (132 lbs), to allow access to single-handed racing to many more female athletes world-wide, and keep women into sailing. the targeted optimal sailor weight for male athletes should be increased from the current 8...