ILCA NSW & ACT

The ILCA International Laser Class Association has sent a reminder about its earlier request asking district members to vote on eight Laser class rule changes. To me these rule changes seem to be non controversial, largely reflecting formally into the Laser rules arrangements or interpretations which are already in place.

Voting on these ILCA rule changes began on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 and runs until Tuesday, September 30, 2014. Voting is open to all district members – one vote per member. The results will be announced later in the year.

You can see the issues and vote online by clicking on the link here.

Thanks to Peter Heywood for the following report on the day.

A huge NBLaser regatta with the forecast wind arriving with readings over 32 knots calling a halt to the days racing in the second race of the day. It was a chilly day and with prospect of a building wind the course was contained from Rose Bay to Point Piper with a sandy downwind beach.

The first race finished successfully with a starts at around 10:00 for the Radials/4.7 and Standards in a building wind of around 15-20 knots. The westerly wind was swinging 10-20 degrees in the gusts making upwind a challenge.

The second race was abandoned when 30+ knots arrived. The sailors got a white knuckle ride back to the Club with the 1 metre wind waves and the strong westerly gusts.

A great day with many stories après velo at the Woollahra Club Café.

You can see the results for the day here and the results for the series to date are here. There are a few missing persons in the results. If you have any information or corrections please let us know.

The Notice of Race for both Olympic and Invited Classes has been published online and entries are now being accepted for ISAF Sailing World Cup – Melbourne, which will be held at Sandringham YC.

The event will cater for all ISAF Sailing World Cup Classes (470 Men’s, 470 Women’s, 49er, 49FX, Finn, Laser, Laser Radial, Nacra 17, RS:X Men, RS:X Women, 2.4mR, SKUD18, Sonar, Kiteboard Men and Kiteboard Women) as well as invited classes including; FX (open), Laser 4.7, Laser Radial (men), Liberty, Optimist, 420, 29er, OK, Viper, 505, Minnows and International Cadets.

The event runs from 8th December 2014 and you can get a 25% off your entry if you get in before 1st October 2014.

Download the Notice of Race here.
Enter Online here.

Additional 50 places for World Masters

ILCA has announced that 50 more entry places have opened up for the 2014 Laser Masters’ World Championships. Any sailor who meets the age criteria (born before 3 October 1979) can apply. These places are expected to fill quickly and the deadline for receiving entry applications is 12 September 2014 at 23:59 USA Central Daylight Time.

ILCA advises that anyone planning to apply for these additional positions is not guaranteed being offered an ILCA boat charter. At present ILCA is organising additional charter boats for sailors who have already been offered places in the event. There are however other providers who are offering charters for the event.

The links below will take you to the application and provide more information about this championship, including the Notice of Race and the country entry allocations.

• Dates: Fri 3 October – Sat 11 October 2014
• Venue: Hyères, France
• Click HERE for Masters’ World Championship Application
• Click HERE for information and notice of race

Laser Masters Elite Regatta

Shortly before the 2014 Laser Masters’ World Championships, COYCH is hosting a “Laser Masters Elite” Regatta. 

This is a two day event, with races scheduled on 27-28 September, 2014.

There is a Notice of Race posted on the event website:

Click Here for the Master Laser Elite Regatta

Click Here for the NOR

This would be a great opportunity to tune-up for the Masters Worlds.

Third Party Insurance

Rob Lowndes has been delving into 3rd party insurance for the Hyères World Masters.

The NoR requires minimum of  US$300,000 third party liability cover.  YA’s insurance broker, Bob Masterman offers $10m cover for $230 with $500 excess.

Rob reports that Laser sailors who insure with Club Marine can get an extension to their policy to cover up to $500,000 public liability with $1,000 excess.  The amount they charge will depend on the type of policy you already have and may be around $150.

Rob is in discussion with Bob Masterman for a price on a lower liability policy, matching the NoR requirement, with a lower premium. We will keep you informed on progress.

Laura Caldecoat advises that there is a problem with NB’s web site which is preventing entries being accepted for the Sprint Series at Woollahra. They are working to fix the problem.

Laura says that NB can take entries over the phone - 02 4340 2223, via email - info@nbsailsports.com.au  or on Sunday at  the NB Shop at Woollahra Sailing Club.

The NB Sailsports Winter Sprint Series continues this Sunday 29^th June 23, 2014 at Woollahra Sailing Club, Vickery Avenue, Rose Bay.

The normal Woollahra Winter Pointscore racing will be on the same course as the Lasers and with the first warning signal at 10 am.

The Woollahra Winter Pointscore sailing instructions will be used for this Round and are posted on the notice board in the ground foyer of the Woollahra Club and can be found on  www.woollahrasailingclub.org.au/winter-pointscore/ .

Sailors should make themselves aware of the courses and course designation symbols displayed on the starting boat transom.

An entry/sign-on point will be located in the club foyer on the ground floor.

 About the NBSailsports Winter Sprint Series

The series will be held with 3 races at each of 5 venue 12 will count for the overall result so you can miss one venue and still get a respectable score.

The participation raffle prizes include a free trade in on your old boat for a brand new Laser. Each race completed gains the participant a raffle ticket, the more races you complete, the greater your chances of being the holder of the winning ticket that will be drawn at the final event at Double Bay Sailing Club. Other prize draw prizes include; new spars, sails, tillers and ropes.

Entry is $20 which can be placed online by credit card with NB Sailsports here or in cash at the venue. If you are sailing over from another club best to enter online as notes can get pretty soggy on a Laser and the starters don’t have EFTPOS. You can call on and off at the starters boat.

The Notice of Race for the Series is here.

NBSailsports advise that Laser prices are going up on 1st July.

They say that everything is going up and give examples:

• Sail from $583 to $670
• Centreboard from $670 to $770.50
• Lower masts are going up around $45

NBSailsports say that the prices reflect cost increases on the builder PSA from commodities, shipping and production cost increases and a weaker $AUD. Again quoting NBSailsports “part prices haven’t gone up in years and were overdue”

Chris Caldecoat General Manager of Performance Sailcraft has submitted the following proposal aimed at improving participation by women in the Laser Nationals.

If you have an opinion on this suggestion then please feel free to email me at chairman@laser.asn.au or give Chris a call at PSA on 02 4389 1088.

“I would like to put a motion forward for the next AGM that the class have a separate start for Women in the Laser Radial Division.

Back Ground.

Since the ISAF Radial Youth spot was stepped back from the Standard rig to the Radial for the boy’s we have scene the Radial Fleet depth increase to the point that the depth has caused a follow on effect with younger boy’s staying in the 4.7 longer due to the strong competition experienced in the Radial Class.

This Male depth now in both classes really has made it a discouraging environment for participation for young girls getting into the Laser Class, the boat being to large and now coupled with disheartening competition, the girls have no chance of getting of a line competitively against the spread of males, there race is over in minutes.

Reason for proposal

If we gave the Radial Women their own start we would see I believe allot more girls target the class as there preferred pathway. The last two Sail Melbourne Events we have had good numbers of Australian Girls entering the Radial class, this does not get reciprocated in the National event.

I propose if we had a separate start for the Women in the Radial we would see the fleet fill solidly over coming years. The depth of skill might not be up there with the tops girls straight away, however having a open race corse to chase downy the top goals means that will very quickly catch up.

Can you please include this proposal.

Regards,

Chris Caldecoat”

It was a frustrating day at Middle Harbour on Sunday for the first races in the NB SailSports Winter Sprint Series.

The wind went through every point on the compass and never got above 5 knots.  Nevertheless two races were completed and they were real sprint races as the wind made sure the competitors never had a decent beat to windward!  It was a great turn out with 51 boats coming from as far as Canberra for the day and most harbour clubs sending boats, including a growing Manly YC fleet.

Click here for the full results.

We were not able to get every skipper’s name because of the relaxed sign on procedure with boats coming from so many directions on the water.  If you see your number but not your name and want to be in the draw for a new Laser, please send your details to RO and honorary  scorer Rob Lowndes masters@laser.asn.au. He will then update the results.

A big thanks to NB SailSports  for this series and the generous prizes. Thanks also to all the MHASC folks who ran the series and to Ian Alexander from DBSC who was a great help on the water.

The next race in the series is at Woollahra Sailing Club on 29 June 2014.

The NB SailSports Winter Sprint Series kicks off this Sunday at Middle Harbour. There will be three with the first warning at 1pm.

The series will be held with 3 races at each of 5 venue 12 will count for the overall result so you can miss one venue and still get a respectable score.

The participation raffle prizes include a free trade in on your old boat for a brand new Laser. Each race completed gains the participant a raffle ticket, the more races you complete, the greater your chances of being the holder of the winning ticket that will be drawn at the final event at Double Bay Sailing Club. Other prize draw prizes include; new spars, sails, tillers and ropes.

Entry is $20 which can be placed online by credit card with NB SailSports here or in cash at the venue. If you are sailing over from another club best to enter online as notes can get pretty soggy on a Laser and the starters don’t have have EFTPOS. You can call on and off at the starters boat.

The Notice of Race for the Series is here. Sailing Instructions for Middle Harbour are here.

The event hosts in Japan have sent information about the regatta and invite you to apply before the Application Deadline of 1 JULY 2014. Their letter is below:

Dear Youth Sailors,
Greetings from the city of Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, Japan. It is with great pleasure that we invite you and your sailors to participate in the 2014 Laser 4.7 Youth Worlds Championships.

You are invited to come and pit your skills against some of the world’s best youth sailors in great sailing conditions and nice summer weather at Castle Bay, Karatsu.
Enjoy wonderful Japanese hospitality, experience Japanese culture and traditions, and be immersed in the warmth and friendliness of Karatsu people. It will be an unforgettable championship!

The blue links below will take you to the applications and provide more information about this championship, including the Notice of Race and the country entry allocations.

2014 Laser Youth 4.7 World Championships

• Dates: Friday 8  August – Friday 15 August 2014
• Venue: Karatsu,  JAPAN
• For Information, visit the Official Event website HERE
• OR see the ILCA website for info HERE
• BOYS click HERE for Youth Worlds Application
• GIRLS click HERE for Youth Worlds Application
• Notice of Race please click HERE
• Charter Terms & Conditions please click HERE

Should you require any other information about the event, please contact us at: 2014laser4.7worlds@laserjapan.org

Takao Otani

Peter Heywood advises the following winter activities at  Woollahra. Check Peter’s Woollahra SC Facebook here.

Winter Series at Woollahra

Sunday racing at 10:00am. As there is usually no afternoon in Winter the racing is timed to get the morning westerly wind.
Café open for Coffee and a Bite for après voile.
Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions on the WSC web site here.

Race Training Course for Up and Coming Youth and Intermediate Seniors

This course provides young up and coming sailors the skills required to move into an advanced racing environment. During the program, they will have the opportunity to train with specailist class coaches, start on a regular training regime, and gain the skills needed to adminstrate their own training program.

• 2 parts – Saturday Session from 9:00am-12:00noon and the Wednesday Session from 4:00pm-5:30pm.
• Coach Nic Skulander
• Cost $500.00 (that works out at $25 for a 3 hour session and there are combo deals that make it more affordable)
• Contact Sailing Manager Adam South 9371 9805 or adam@woollahrasailingclub.org.au for further details and combo membership deals, family deals and youth scholarships.

Date/Time
10 May 2014 09:00 AM – 12:00 AM
17 May 2014 09:00 AM – 12:00 AM
24 May 2014 09:00 AM – 12:00 AM
31 May 2014 09:00 AM – 12:00 AM
14 Jun 2014 09:00 AM – 12:00 AM
21 Jun 2014 09:00 AM – 12:00 AM
28 Jun 2014 09:00 AM – 12:00 AM
5 Jul 2014 09:00 AM – 12:00 AM
12 Jul 2014 09:00 AM – 12:00 AM
19 Jul 2014 09:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Applications for entry for the 2014 Laser Masters’ World Championships will open Friday, 11 April 2014 (3.00 pm Aust Eastern Standard Time).

The deadline for receiving entry applications for initial allocation of places is 18 May 2014 at 23:59 Central Daylight Time.

You are encouraged to complete the entry application as soon as possible once it becomes available. Please be aware that if you do not apply by 18 May 2014, you may have very little chance of attending this championship.

The links below will take you to the applications and provide more information about this championship, including the Notice of Race and the country entry allocations.

2014 Laser Masters’ World Championships
• Dates: Fri 3 October – Sat 11 October 2014
• Venue: Hyeres, France
• Click HERE for Masters’ Application

For more information about the ILCA application and entry process, please refer to the ILCA website pages at the links below:

Information for Sailors
Information for Districts

The International Sailing Federation ISAF have announced new plans for the ISAF Sailing World Cup.

The new arrangements address the main concerns which the Laser Class had with the radical concept discussed last November.  Changes to the previous concept include classes will retain their world championship titles, more entries in the grand final for each class, retaining the name ISAF Sailing World Cup and having entry flexibility with wild cards.

You can see how the new Sailing World Cup will operate and how the circa 20 finalists will be selected on the ISAF web site here.

The NB SailSports Winter Sprint Series is on again this year. The venues and dates of the series are:

18 May: Middle Harbour Amateur Sailing Club – First warning 1pm, 3 races
29 June: Woollahra Sailing Club – First waring 10am, 3 races
20 July: Belmont 16ft Skiff Club – First warning 11am, 3 races
31 August: Gosford Sailing Club – First Warning 1pm, 3 races
20 September: Double Bay Sailing Club – First Warning 1pm, 3 races

There will be race prizes for Standard, Radial and 4.7 rigs provided five or more boats compete. There will be 15 races with 12 to count for the overall result so you can miss one venue and still get a respectable score.

The participation raffle prizes include a free trade in on your old boat for a brand new Laser. Each race completed gains the participant a raffle ticket, the more races you complete, the greater your chances of being the holder of the winning ticket that will be drawn at the final event at Double Bay Sailing Club. Other prize draw prizes include; new spars, sails, tillers and ropes.

Entry is $20 which can be placed online by credit card with NB SailSports here or in cash at the venue.

The Notice of Race for the Series is here. Sailing Instructions will be available at the venues.