Optimist, Open Skiff, Youth & Olympic Sailing Blog

The secret was kept for a long time, but is now revealed.  After years of testing, the new Laser boom is finally here! It was time. The boat already benefits from a composite top mast section. And recently, a bottom mast section for the Radial was added. For certain, the boat became increasingly odd, mixing the original aluminum boom with these composite add-ons. The intensive exacting research conducted on the new composite boom will ensure that it will have exactly the same performances as the existing aluminum boom. No more bend, no less bend. Exactly the same. The new composite boom has exactly the same dimensions and diameter as the old aluminum boom. A weight compensation feature has been included so that both old and new have identical weights, something omitted with previous add-ons. The new composite boom is of course equipped with the latest carbon cleat and fittings, scientifically developed to the necessary exacting standards. What’s the key rationale to mo...

This article covers recent events relating to a working party established by the European branch of the International Laser Class Assocation - EurILCA - to decide on the future of the class in a European context. An inconclusive vote, at a specially convened general assembly, took place today on the recommendations of this working party. The article also provides a brief update on The Laser Class - the new class announced just a week ago. Finally, the article comments on the urgent need for ILCA and EurILCA to take their responsibilities regarding the coronavirus epidemic. Following its January 1 ultimatum to the international laser class ILCA, and an absence of response to the ultimatum by ILCA’s secretariat, the European branch of the class, EurILCA, formed a working group to explore avenues for the future of Laser sailing in Europe. With nearly two third of the world-wide membership, Europe is indeed essential for Laser sailing. https://optimist-openbic-sailing.blogspot.com/201...

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...