Thursday, December 19, 2019

Update on New Builder Approvals – International Laser Class Association

http://www.laserinternational.org/blog/2019/12/18/update-on-new-builder-approvals/

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

REMINDER!!! Tomorrow (10.10.19) is the last day to register for the Hyannis Oktoberfest Regatta before late fees kick in!  Rain will be gone so get off your butt and head out to Hyannis!!!

http://www.regattanetwork.com/event/19762

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Oktoberfest Regatta coming up - good practice for the Fat Boys!

The Lewis Bay/Hyannis Yacht Club Laser Fleet invites everyone to sail their Oktoberfest Regatta on Sunday (October 13) of Columbus Day weekend. A one day blast of a regatta with 35 boats last year.

Sign up at Regatta Network: www.regattanetwork.com/event/19762
Shope wins 2019 Seidenberg New England Masters!!!




Monday, September 30, 2019

An event report on the 2019 Laser Master Worlds from Peter Seidenberg:

The regatta actually turned out to be quite good despite some shortcomings on shore and on the water. Since the regatta was run out of a marina which lacked knowledgable personnel and equipment, both the Standards and Radials had to sail on the same race course. Both groups alternated every day between racing in the morning and afternoon. Boat storage and launching ramps were very limited and lead to congestions during launching and retrieving - nothing new to those who sailed in Split. But everybody cooperated in dealing with the restrictions to make it an enjoyable event in the end. Eric Faust’s presence contributed greatly to the success of the regatta. He was everywhere, even on the ramps helping with launching and retrieving. 

The race committee under a PRO from Thornbury, ON, CAN produced good courses and fair starts for 12 races per day. The weather cooperated by switching from stormy and rainy westerlies the week before the regatta to medium to light winds from all directions except from the south during the regatta. The surrounding lands caused erratic shifts which were challenging to most, even to a few world champions. My ufd in the 6th race and my self-inflicted 11th place in a dying breeze in the race before killed my chances for a podium position. Still, I’m glad I went - and learnt, I think.

Cheers,
-Peter  

Boat storage and launching areas:


Monday, July 22, 2019

Awesome news for Masters Sailors planning to attend the BBR- register now!!!

Excited to report our course was moved so we can play in the waves.  Please spread the word and encourage pre-registration.

http://www.regattanetwork.com/event/18673

BBR Updated SI's

BBR Race Course & Launch Area

Thursday, July 11, 2019

Congratulations to the following three D7 representatives for their results at the European Masters in Roses, Spain!  It was a 5-day, 9-race regatta on 2 courses each for 2 Standard and 2 Radial fleets. 

Peter Vessella: 7th GM and 7th overall of 66 Standard GMs and GGMs

Peter Seidenberg:  3rd Legend and 26th overall of 78 Radial Ms, GGMs and Ls


Judy Krimski: 2nd grand master women, 39th overall and she beat all the apprentice women in her fleet.

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

View this email in your browser
SUBJECT: Please Vote NOW on ILCA 2019 Proposed Rule Change: 
1 July - 31 July 2019
 
Dear District Members,

Voting is now open for a VERY important ILCA rule change.

Please vote "YES" to secure the future of our class and to make sure that we remain in the Olympics!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

The 2019 Rule Change vote is VERY important, as ILCA works to meet new requirements imposed by the World Sailing Council in their 2024 Olympic Equipment Policy, which includes allowing competitive supply of boats and parts by qualified builders worldwide.

In a vote of the ILCA World Council, this rule change was overwhelmingly approved by an 11 to 2 margin, including the unanimous approval of all six ILCA Regional Chairmen.

The class now needs your support! 
Your vote "YES" will: 
1) Make sure that our class will remain in the Olympics.
2) Allow for healthy market competition and ensure that class-legal equipment is available in ALL parts of the world.
3) Give control of our class to the sailors, not the commercial parties.

If you would like additional information about the proposed rule change, click on any of the following links:
   A summary of the reasons for the rule change
   The text of the proposed rule change 
   Detailed information about the rule change
   Questions and Answers.


To be counted you must vote by 31 July 2019.

In order to secure the future of our class, please take a moment to click the link below and vote "YES" now in a quick, 1-question online survey.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

There is also a link to voting on the ILCA website: www.laserinternational.org

Thank you for voting on this vital proposed rule change.

Best Regards,
ILCA Team
 

Monday, June 17, 2019

Register now for the John Bentley Regatta!

June 29th - here's the link: http://www.regattanetwork.com/event/19040

One of the best regattas of the summer! Be there or be square.

Monday, May 20, 2019

Hello again to everyone that has entered the Wickford Regatta in recent years,
A close up of a sign

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Late fees are now only 3 days away! When Wednesday becomes Thursday late fees kick in. We are almost to 80 on registrations but many of you and your friends are missing. Let’s have a party! Register now!

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Wickford Regatta - Register now to avoid the late fees!


We are psyched that many of you have already registered for Wickford Regatta 2019. Entries are way ahead of past years, but we haven’t heard from most of you. So peel off that winter cover, borrow a boat, make some calls, WHATEVER IT TAKES, and set your sights on Wickford Regatta 2019. The dates are June 8-9. Late fees kick in on May 24th.
We still have a limited amount of free housing, but it is going fast. So don’t delay, register today!

Thursday, April 25, 2019

Saturday, April 6, 2019


Frequently Asked Questions Regarding ILCA Approved Builders – International Laser Class Association

http://www.laserinternational.org/blog/2019/04/06/faq-6-april-2019/

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

LASERPERFORMANCE RESPONSE TO ILCA

STATEMENT OF 27 MARCH 2019 2 April 2019 
 
LASERPERFORMANCE (“LP”) finds the recent events deplorable as well as potentially catastrophic for the Laser sailors and the class organization as configured today.  It is important to know the background to the current dispute. 
 
The falsehoods and misrepresentations contained in the official ILCA announcement are disturbing since they reflect on the class organization and bear on the credibility of governance of the class. 
 
LP makes the following statements and responds to ILCA’s misleading statements: 
 
▪️ LP has granted ILCA certain rights to use the Laser Trademark for its activities pursuant to an intellectual property license dated February 1998 (the “1998 Agreement”). 
 
▪️ LP has been seeking a renewal of the 1998 Agreement which expires after multiple extensions on 31 August 2019. 
 
▪️ ILCA has steadfastly refused to enter into a renewal agreement of like substance and has refused to have any meetings with LP on the matter. 
 
▪️ LP refused to have ILCA undertake an inspection of LP’s facilities five months before expiry of 1998 Agreement and after three years of ILCA refusing to renew its license under the 1998 Agreement. 
 
▪️ LP does not and has not refused inspection of its manufacturing facility or its products by other legitimate regulatory bodies.  Indeed, LP has formally requested World Sailing to inspect LP’s facility given that they are the ultimate authority for compliance and the issuance of the boats’ plaques.   
 
▪️ ILCA has not shared any of this with the sailors nor have they proposed how it would operate without a valid license from LP after August 2019. 
 
▪️ ILCA is not legally able to seek new manufacturers for Laser products in LP territory without LP’s consent.  LP territory covers the world excluding Australia, New Zealand (PSA) and Japan, Korea (PSJ).  This is a simple matter of ownership of intellectual property and LP will enforce against any party who attempts to violate LP’s intellectual property rights. 
 
▪️ ILCA can indeed appoint new builders in Performance Sailcraft Australia (PSA) and Performance Sailcraft Japan (PSJ) limited territory; however, neither of them can supply boats into LP territory without LP’s consent. 
 
▪️ PSA has tried in the past to import illegally into LP territory by a variety of schemes.  LP has successfully enforced its property rights against PSA and will continue to enforce its rights against PSA and any collaborating dealers or persons.  The last of such legal action was in Belgium and it was adjudicated in favor of LP with the dealer involved filing for bankruptcy to avoid payment of award pursuant to the court judgment. 
 
▪️ PSA is unable to supply LP’s output even if they could legally sell into LP territories.  Indeed, the last time PSA agreed to support a class event – also a World event – was the Youth Worlds 2016 in New Zealand with 105 boats which ended up in PSA withdrawing its support three months before the event. 
 
▪️ PSA’s withdrawal meant cancellation of the event except for WS reaching out to LP to step in both to save the event and to prevent the adverse effects a major cancellation impacting the Olympics standing of Laser. 
 
▪️ The 2024 Olympic is in Paris, France – an LP territory and LP can be the only authorized supplier of Laser boats at such event.  
 
▪️ ILCA decertifying the most established and the original manufacturer of Laser sailboats will not end the supply of LP Lasers to our markets.  However, it will signal to the Olympic authorities that the most popular Olympic sailing event has poor governance and leadership, leading to unpredictable supply. 
 
▪️ LP, in partnership with its outstanding dealership network, has consistently shown that it is the only supplier that can consistently provide support to events and sailors at a global level. 
 
LP proposes the following to prevent the implosion of the Laser class organization: 
 
A. ILCA sign the renewal agreement to the 1998 Agreement in order to continue to use the granted trademark rights. 
B. ILCA move back to Europe where 75% of Laser sailors live and sail. 
C. ILCA appoint a professional executive team to run the class operations paid for by increased plaque fees charged to the builders. 
 
LASERPERFORMANCE 
2 April 2019 
 

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Announcement Regarding ILCA Approved Builders


International Laser Class Association Removes Laser Performance as Approved Builder
ILCA is seeking new builders to complement its existing network of manufacturers, the International Laser Class Association (ILCA) announced today. The move comes after longtime builder of the class dinghy, Laser Performance (Europe) Limited (LPE), breached the terms of the Laser Construction Manual Agreement (LCMA), which seeks to ensure the identical nature of all Laser class boats, regardless of where they are built.

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Don't miss out on the Wickford Regatta WICKED DEAL!

Hey there sailor!
“Wicked Deal” Wickford Regatta Registration ends on Sunday, so don’t delay, register today!
This year’s dates are June 8-9, same weekend as 2018. As always, we are committed to delivering the best regatta experience of your 2019 sailing season.

Friday, March 15, 2019

Eastern Yacht Club to host Master's North Americans in October

Masters sailors, put these dates on your calendar: October 4-6! Hosted by Eastern Yacht Club in Marblehead, MA - This is an event not to be missed!

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Connecticut River Leukemia Cup Regatta

Connecticut River Leukemia Cup Regatta
May 4th & 5th

A two day regatta to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Five or more boats of the same design will race as a class.  Others will race as a handicap fleet with Portsmouth ratings. There will be many Lasers. Racing will be conducted in the river off the town of Essex and involve multiple races similar to spring and fall frostbiting. Party Saturday night ($25 pp, $20 under 18). Housing is available with host families - send an e-mail request.  A full torso wetsuit or dry suit is required for solo sailors - wetsuit rentals are available - send an e-mail request. This regatta is sponsored by Essex Corinthian Yacht Club, Essex Yacht Club, Pettipaug Yacht Club, and the Frostbite Yacht Club. Fundraising is encouraged. There is also a free boat show in Essex this same weekend.


Thursday, February 28, 2019

Wickford Regatta Registration

Wickford Regatta 2019 Registration is now open and Wicked Deal Registration deals will be available through March. This years dates are June 8-9, same weekend as 2018. Last year we had record registration and may need to limit registration this year, so don’t delay.
As always, we are committed to delivering the best regatta experience of your 2019 sailing season. Don’t delay, register today!