Statement from the International Laser Class Association

23 April 2013

The International Laser Class Association (ILCA) is aware that over the past few weeks various web postings by persons unaffiliated with ILCA may have caused some members to become confused about the current status and the future of the class. After close cooperation and direct consultation with the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) ILCA can announce the following:

ISAF and ILCA have taken steps to assure the uninterrupted supply of class legal Laser brand sailboats around the world. This includes making newly designed ISAF plaques available to all the current ISAF and ILCA approved manufacturers of the Laser dinghy in accordance with the ILCA class rules. These plaques indicate that all required fees have been paid to both ISAF and ILCA. In order to receive ISAF plaques, manufacturers must continue to adhere to the strict building specifications and one-design standards required by ISAF and ILCA.

For the avoidance of doubt, ILCA is not changing its name or taking on the management of a class association for any new brand of sailboat. Class legal Laser brand sailboats will continue to be available through ISAF and ILCA approved manufacturers and their existing dealers.

ILCA assures its members that all scheduled World and Continental Championships will be held as planned. We are excited about our upcoming regatta schedule and do not anticipate any disruption to the necessary supply of class legal Laser brand sailboats for any of our future events.

ISAF has confirmed that the Laser brand dinghy remains Olympic equipment and will be used for both the men’s and women’s one-person dinghy events at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil and remains the core equipment through the 2020 Olympics. ISAF informs us that supply contracts for the provision of the equipment for the 2016 Olympics were signed in 2012.

ISAF has approved two changes to Part One of the ILCA Class Rules. These changes have been approved in accordance with the provisions of the ILCA Constitution and the ILCA Class Rules. All necessary votes and approvals have been conducted and are officially recorded. In the case of the member vote, votes were verified for membership validity by each District or Regional authority. The results were then audited by an independent audit firm, which reported 1017 ‘yes’ votes (89.3%) and 122 ‘no’ votes (10.7%), showing that over two-thirds of the voting members approved the rule change as required by the ILCA Class Rules, Part Five, article 30(c).

The reasons for these rule changes have been well documented and more information on this subject can be found here: http://www.laserinternational.org/info/2011rulechangesvotingended23rdseptember2011

The new wording for Part One of the ILCA Class Rules is effective immediately and can be found here: http://www.laserinternational.org/rules/classrules/partone

ISAF has today made a public statement regarding this situation, which can be found here: http://www.sailing.org/news/34222.php

ILCA has been named as a co-defendant in a complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut and has been recently notified of the plaintiff’s intention to formally serve ILCA with the complaint. ILCA intends to vigorously defend itself if necessary, but our primary focus continues to be facilitating a meaningful settlement dialog between the parties in the hopes of reaching an amicable resolution. ILCA has always favoured a negotiated resolution to this dispute.

To be clear, ILCA is not a judge or a court of law and takes no position on the relative merits of the claims made by either of the commercial entities involved in the law suit. ILCA has always maintained that this dispute is based on contracts to which it is not a party and has repeatedly encouraged and requested the commercial parties to these contracts to voluntarily engage in meaningful settlement negotiations. ILCA once again urges the real parties to this dispute to settle their differences and avoid unnecessary expense and damage to the reputation of our sport.

With over 15,000 members organized in over 100 countries, ILCA is committed to protecting the investments made by its members and the interests of sailors on all levels — from the local club racer to those who aspire to represent their countries in the Olympic Games. ILCA cannot allow a commercial dispute to disrupt 40 years of work fostering the sport of sailing and developing the most successful youth and adult racing class in history.

ILCA is optimistic about the future of the Laser class and confident about its leading position in the sport of sailing. We remain dedicated to organizing great regattas around the world and protecting the organisation and strict one-design principles that have served as the cornerstone of our class.

Click this link to view the March Laser World online  

Sailors in the Laser Standard and Laser Radial divisions at all upcoming ISAF Sailing World Cup regattas will be required to display a country flag decal on each side of their sails.

This requirement applies to the 2013 Trofeo Princess Sophia in Palma, Spain and to all future ISAF World Cup events.

At the present time, the ISAF has selected Grapefruit Graphics as the only ISAF approved supplier for the Laser, Laser Radial, 470 and Finn classes. Flags must be purchased from this supplier until additional suppliers are certified.

Prices, order details and contact information for Grapefruit Graphics can be found here: http://origin.sailing.org/tools/documents/CountryFlagOrderForm-%5B14408%5D.pdf

Order before 15 March

The ILCA understands that flags

The ILCA understands that flags purchased before 15 March can be delivered to the Race Office of the Trofeo Princess Sophia regatta.

Please encourage your sailors to place their orders before this date to assure timely shipping. Flags purchased after this date may incur additional shipping charges.

Questions about ordering decals should be directed to Grapefruit Graphics:

• Email:sales@grapefruitgraphics.co.uk
• Phone: + 44 (0)1489 570055
• Website: http://grapefruitgraphics.co.uk/

For further information about the ISAF Sailing World Cup regattas, visit the ISAF website at: http://origin.sailing.org/worldcup/home.php

What: The 2013 Australian Laser Championship

Where: The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania

When: 28-04 January 2013

ALCA AGM: Sunday 30th December 09:30am at RYCT

Follow the results online, click this link 

ILCA has now published the Notice of Race and details regarding the allocated places for 2013 Laser World & European Championships listed below.

Applications for these events are now being accepted through the ILCA website.

Sailors who are interested in attending any of these championships must complete the relevant application form on the ILCA website.

Completing an application form does not commit sailors to attend the championship, it simply registers their interest to attend. Sailors who do not complete an application form will not be able to attend the championship.

Please select the links below to access information about each championship. These links are also available on the ILCA events page at http://events.laserinternational.org/en/events/list/104z1

Laser 4.7 Youth World & European Championships 2013
Sat 6th July 2013 – Sat 13th July 2013
HUNGARY, Balatonfüred

Laser Standard Men’s Under 21 World & European Championships 2013
Sun 14th July 2013 – Sun 21st July 2013
HUNGARY, Balatonfüred

Laser Radial Women’s Under 21 World & European Championships 2013
Sun 14th July 2013 – Sun 21st July 2013
HUNGARY, Balatonfüred

The ILCA has arranged to provide up to 60 charter boats for these events. Sailors are encouraged to request a charter boat as part of their application to assure that a sufficient number of boats will be available.

Will all District Officers please publish this information on their web sites and inform all sailors that applications are now open for these Championships.

If you have any questions about this email or any of the ILCA Championships, please email ILCAoffice@laserinternational.org.
Kind Regards
The ILCA Team

Hi Laser Masters,

At the VLA meeting we voted to adopt the same format as Port Stephens & run the championship over 4 days on a weekend with a registration & practice day on the Thursday.

The dates chosen are Thursday 14^th registration, Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday 15-18^th February 2014 race days.

Before we lock this in  could you please check if there are any regatta conflicts or for any another reason that these days may not be suitable.

I would appreciate your response by this coming Sunday Oct 28^th.

I estimate the drive time from Sydney is 2-3 hours less & far more scenic than the Hume highway.

Regards

John d’helin

VLA Vice President & Masters Rep.

DBSC is welcoming 4.7s to its regular Saturday races from 1 September 2012.

DBSC is committed to have Sydney’s best Laser fleets, so the Club will properly cater for 4.7s. The Club intends to sail 4.7s on the usual club course, however they will have their own top mark to provide a shorter windward leg. This will serve to keep each 4.7 race to the target 40 minutes and also keep the 4.7s closer to the Committee Boat in the centre of the course. Initially the 4.7s will share a start with Radials, but as the 4.7 fleet grows they will get their own start.

Additionally, DBSC’s club coach, Adam South plans to offer on water coaching during racing and regular weekly coaching clinics specifically tailored for 4.7s. The club will also have a 4.7 laser available for sailors to test sail before they source their own boat.

DBSC’s regular Saturday sailors include a number of past and present Youth, Open and Master champions. These sailors will provide younger 4.7 sailors with fantastic mentoring and coaching opportunities.

Conveniently, DBSC is now completing its expansion/renovation and for the first time in recent history there are vacant storage racks available. They are available on a first come/first served basis, before the Club reverts to its usual “use it or lose it” allocation system.

The initial point of contact for prospective 4.7 racers is Alex South, DBSC member, member of the Australian Sailing Squad and former Australian Youth Champion. Alex’s email is allex.south@gmail.com.

Further details on Double Bay Sailing Club can be found at www.dbsc.com.au.

Check out what your local dealer has on offer. Now is a good time to upgrade your Laser for a newer or new boat. There are good start of season deals around and plenty of second hand boats from all those who have traded in for a new boat.

QLD: NB Sailsports

VIC: SLH

NSW: NB Sailsports 

ACT: Canberra Yacht Club Boat Shop

NT: Yacht Shop

TAS: Peter Johnston Marine: 03 6234 5422

SA: Binks Marine & Laser Direct

WA: Boating Hardware,  Goose Marine & Tim Castles: 0433 090 266