June 2012 Princess Sofia: Palma, Spain ©

World June 2012 Princess Sofia: Palma, Spain © www.thomtouw.com

INTERVIEW WITH GINTARE SCHEIDT YOUR NEW PRESIDENT: TRACY USHER! BATTLE FOR FINAL OLYMPIC PLACES

COPYRIGHT AND LIABILITY No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the publishers. The articles and opinions in LaserWorld may not represent the official views of ILCA. The publishers do not accept any liability for their accuracy. World Council Meeting 2012 © Nils Bergmann

Summary of the 2012 ILCA World Council Mid-year Meeting!

The ILCA World Council held its mid-year over the past several years and it is meeting in Boltenhagen, Germany, site expected to be a world-class event. The of the 2012 Senior and Women’s World Radial Youth Worlds may also be held in Championships. Due to the length of the Oman over the Christmas holidays in late agenda, the meeting took place over two 2013. Details are forthcoming. For the days on May 19th and 20th. women, the Radial Worlds are scheduled The World Council In attendance were: Heini Wellmann - for Rizhao City, China in late September President, Hugh Leicester - Vice President while the 4.7 and U21 Standard Worlds will be held on Lake Balaton, Hungary. In attendance were: and Asia-Pacific Chairman, Tracy Usher Heini Wellmann, Hugh Leicester, - Chairman North America, Carlos 2014 World Championships: ISAF will be Tracy Usher, Carlos Palombo, Palombo - Chairman South America, running its Sailing World Championship in Jean-Luc Michon, Ian Lineberger, Jean-Luc Michon - Chairman Europe, Ian 2014 so the Senior and Women’s Worlds Jeff Martin, Eric Faust, Lineberger - Past President, Jeff Martin - will be held in Santander, Spain. Bids have Chris Caldecoat Executive Secretary, Eric Faust - General been received for the Masters Worlds from Manager, Chris Caldecoat - Builders’ Barcelona, Spain and Hyeres, France, Advisory Council. while Poland has bid for the Radial Youth Worlds. The 4.7 Worlds are slated for 2011 2010 Elections: After his report on ILCA OFFICE Final Final the state of the class, Heini Oceana with the Cook Islands or New Accounts Accounts Wellmann announced that he Zealand as possible locations. Planning is underway so look for more information as INCOME was retiring as the President it becomes available. Plaque fees 88,073 42,129 of the ILCA and nominated Tracy Usher as his successor. Review of actions arising from previous Sail buttons fees 63,148 45,600 The World Council voted meetings: 1) It was decided that the 4.7 Memberships 85,500 76,700 unanimously to elect Tracy as will be continue to be included in future the new ILCA President and Masters Worlds. 2) The council approved Sale of goods 11,878 8,979 thanked Heini for his years unanimously to introduce a new world Contribution to ILCA for Entry* 55,966 68,489 of work and dedication. Tracy championship category for under-21 Contribution to ILCA for Charter* 13,202 31,808 Usher presented Heini with an women to be premiered in 2013. 3) The award recognizing his service council agreed that each ILCA Region Interest receivable 12,383 17,090 and commitment to the Laser should nominate a Regional Measurer Service charge to 40,728 42,054 Class. to act as a liaison to the ILCA Technical European Region** Accounts: The 2010-11 audited Committee. 4) The use of electronic Total Income 370,877 332,849 accounts were reviewed. compasses was discussed with no action or decision taken at this time. EXPENDITURE (See the accounts summary on this page.) It was noted Rules and Technical Issues: The ILCA Publications 19,096 19,180 that a significant portion of the continues to look to the future on Testing/Development 74,259 501 2011 loss was attributable to technical issues, however many of the Salaries/Pension 247,204 262,557 the large expenditure for legal new developments planned to improve fees related to the proposed the sails and spars remain on hold as Office & Travel 69,881 79,341 change to the class rules the status of the largest builder continues Auditors / Bank charges 3,411 4,116 and the development costs to be unclear. The Technical Committee for the new standard rig sail. will be analyzing several items including: Depreciation 4,581 4,716 These were deemed unusual development of an easily adjustable Cost of Purchases 15,461 9,589 expenses, without which the hiking strap, a system for eliminating the ISAF / World Council 2,178 5,531 class would have operated rivet in the top section mast collar, and on a break-even basis for development of a rule on draft stripes Legal Fees 61,601 437 the year. Overall the class on sails. The status of the approved Total Expenditure 497,672 385,968 remains in a good financial change to the fundamental Class Rule position and the World was discussed and the ILCA will continue Accumulated Funds b/f 762,277 815,428 Council remains dedicated to address this issue with ISAF and obtain Surplus for year -126,795 -53,119 to managing costs while a final ruling on the matter. Prior year adjustment - -32 providing service to all ILCA The next World Council Meeting is slated members. Accumulated Funds c/f 635,482 762,277 for November, 2012. The World Council 2013 World Championships: is committed to serving the sailors and * Championship expenditure is shown within the Contribution The Masters and Senior all ILCA members are encouraged to to ILCA figures. Worlds are scheduled to be submit proposals through their District ** Reimbursement expenses incurred by the ILCA on behalf of held in Oman in November Laser Associations for inclusion on future the European Region. of 2013. Oman has been agendas. heavily promoting sailing www.laserinternational.org With Thanks To Heini Wellmann

Dear Laser friends, I am pleased to see that today the association is stronger than ever. There First of all I would like to congratulate is a very strong participation at regattas Tracy Usher for his unanimous election all over the World, for example the by the World Council as new ILCA recent Italian Europa Cup regatta on President. As a very active and excellent the Lake of Garda had 551 participants sailor, as Chairman of the North American – a new record. All this would not have Region and as Head of the Technical been possible without the tireless effort and Measurement Committee Tracy was of hundreds of volunteers all over the ideally suited to fill this position and I am World. I express my heartiest thanks to very grateful that he accepted to serve all of them. the Class as the new President. Heini Wellmann A lot remains to be done: More than six years ago at the Jeju Island World Council meeting I was While the new management procedures elected ILCA President. It is therefore are in place their timely execution remains only natural to first look back on what an important area of improvement: a was achieved during these years and much earlier negotiation and contract © Andrea Carloni then have a short look at the current and signature with the organising authority future challenges of ILCA. and charter provider – hence an earlier publication of the Notices of Race. I am What was achieved during the six years convinced that the engagement of Eric of my presidency? Faust as the new General Manager ILCA My first priority after the election was will help a lot in this area. to introduce more formalised and Another very important issue is the transparent management procedures for still unresolved conflict between the the running of the association. That my main stakeholders, namely ISAF, the election coincided with the start of Zac Laser builders and the design rights Hillier in the newly created position as holder. They are totally at odds in their Operations Manager ILCA was a great interpretation on the validity of the Roses 2007 help. The following was achieved: different agreements – even worse they • A clear time-line for the preparation have ceased to even communicate with and execution of the ILCA World each other, preferring to hold fast to their Championships own contradictory positions rather than working to resolve their differences. This • A detailed definition of requirements is threatening the existence of the Laser for World Championships Class. Nevertheless, the officers of ILCA • Introduction of a bid system will continue to work towards a solution • Establishment of two standard acceptable for our members. contracts, one with the organising Other dark clouds are the existence in the club / authority and the other with the market place of an increasing number of charter boat provider replica parts, including sails, spars, foils • Establishment of Standard Notices of and even hulls and at the same time the Race and Sailing Instructions unavailability of legal parts, sails and foils • Definition and introduction of more in many areas of the World. The ILCA transparent accounting management World Council has and will continue to reports for the World Council propose solutions on how these issues can be addressed by the builders. It also • Publication of summarised accounts decided that the measurement structures and World Council decisions in on the District and Fleet level need to be LaserWorld to inform all members reinforced. During all those years I continued to I wish Tracy Usher all the best in these participate in many Laser regattas challenging times. He has the experience from World Championships to local and determination to face them. With thanks to Heini Wellmann club regattas. This helped me to better understand the wishes of our members. Long live Laser sailing! I also stayed in permanent contact with many District officers. www.laserinternational.org Your New President: Tracy Usher © Chuck Lantz

Tracy Usher thanks the World Council for their faith and explains why he has some big shoes to fill!

Let me begin by saying it’s a great California), then as the North American honor to have been selected as the Region’s vice chairman beginning in next President of the International Laser 2002 before becoming chairman in 2004. Class Association. It’s not a position I’ve served on the World Council since to take lightly, with responsibility to an 2002, also serving as chairman of the organization with so many sailors, in so Technical and Measurement Committee many countries and with such a long and since 2007. Recently I was involved in rich history. I’d like to thank my fellow the organization of the 2011 Laser 4.7 World Council members for their faith and Masters’ World Championship in San in my ability to hold this position and I Francisco, realizing a decade long dream Tracy Usher, ILCA President certainly pledge to work hard to justify it. of bringing a Laser world championship Before going on, I would like to take to the St Francis Yacht Club (which was this opportunity to sincerely thank also the 10th consecutive World Masters’ in his new role. I’m sure that as the Heini Wellmann for his many years of Championship I competed in). summer progresses we will see the ILCA service to the ILCA. Heini joined the All of us are well aware of the still office once again firing on all cylinders. World Council over 15 years ago and troubled waters the class is navigating. As for the other issues, I’m quite optimistic served the class in several roles before The conflict between the largest builder that we will soon start seeing progress in becoming President in 2006. Notable and the owner of the design rights is resolving these as well. I believe that among Heini’s accomplishments before ongoing and the rule change, meant to with the Olympics only a few short weeks becoming President include playing an help alleviate this conflict, and passed away, and with a new quadrennium just instrumental role in bringing us the “new by some 90% of the members voting, around the corner, there is a renewed rigging” and serving as the first Technical is still pending. Technical developments desire amongst all parties to find the way and Measurement Committee Chairman meant to attack known problem areas, forward. Solving this should also break - which included hiring the first Technical like creating a more durable sail, or the log jam on addressing the much Officer to help insure builder compliance addressing bend issues with the spars, needed improvements to equipment. I with the Laser Construction Manual. have had to be put on hold pending a sincerely hope to have much more to Among his achievements as President resolution to the aforementioned crisis. say on this very soon. he created the blueprint for reorganizing In the meantime, both the European In the meantime, we are moving into the the office, restructuring it to better handle Region (with the most sailors of any heart of the Northern Hemisphere sailing the rigors of three classes (4.7, Radial region) and the North American Region season which, here in the Bay Area, and Standard), two of which are Olympic have been suffering from chronic means sailing a few evenings during the classes, and the organization of some shortages of sails and spare parts, with week and regattas on the weekends to seven world championships each year. an even more difficult situation in the use for training for the big championship During his service to ILCA, Heini has South American Region. This is not events later this summer. At these events devoted himself to the tasks that have only frustrating for the sailors looking I’ll be looking forward to meeting fellow come before him and worked tirelessly for class legal equipment but has also sailors and hearing what they have to to further the cause of Laser sailing opened the door to the replica parts say about the sport we all love. Still, in around the world. He leaves behind suppliers that make it difficult to maintain a class as big as this it is impossible to some extremely large shoes to fill! the integrity of our one-design principle. be at every regatta and meet everyone For those of you who may not know Finally, with the office staffing not at so I hope people do make use of the me I’ll try to give a brief introduction: full strength there have been issues readily available contact information on I’ve lived nearly my entire life on the in the timely organization of the world the ILCA website and contact me over coast of California, from growing up championships. Trust me, if anyone in any issue they may have. the ILCA organization could simply snap sailing in Monterey (where I bought my See you on the water! first Laser in 1974), to several years in their fingers to solve all or any of these Southern California (where I did a bit less problems, it would have been done but, Tracy Usher Laser sailing and a lot more studying) unfortunately, we are not in direct control to the San Francisco Bay Area where of all of these issues. my wife, Christy, and I now live and On the positive side, we are in the sail. I’m employed as a physicist at the process of resolving the ILCA office SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, staffing issues which created problems located at Stanford University, but take this past year. As you can read on these advantage of every opportunity to get pages, we have begun to implement out on the water to enjoy the fantastic Heini’s office reorganization blue print Laser sailing conditions San Francisco with the key hire of Eric Faust to come in Bay provides. I’ve been involved with the as the new General Manager. Eric has Laser Class since 1998, serving first as many years of experience with the J/24 District Secretary for District 24 (Northern Class and has hit the ground running © Paul Wyeth www.laserinternational.org A minute with .... Gintare Scheidt

We talk to Gintare Scheidt, winner of the Laser Radial Women’s World Championship 2012 in Boltenhagen, Germany. Gintare is married to Robert Scheidt, ex Laser World Champion and four times Olympic Medallist.

How Does It Feel To Be Laser Radial What Are Your Expectations/Hopes Women’s World Champion? For The Olympics 2012? Feels great. If I could make my family My hope is we have a decent wind. My and my country happy, even for a goal is top 10. moment, that means everything to me. Are You & Robert Competitive Against How Did You Train For This One Another? © Nils Bergmann Championship? Yes but only in mini golf field! Gintare Scheidt on the podium! I did more physical preparation, but still I think I was more ready mentally. Who Would Win In A Laser Radial - Conditions that we had in Boltenhagen You or Robert? Robert was not about the speed, mostly it was Favourite Sailing Venue? about tactics, fast reaction and playing Kauna’s Lake, Lithuania (my home city the shifts. is Kaunas). It’s beautiful and many good Your Comments On The Regatta? memories… Every day was different from the other. Favourite Sport After Sailing? We had strong and light winds, even Swimming and mountain biking! sea breeze, which was nice. I knew, the key was consistent racing, that’s what Visits To Gym? I focused on. I didn’t win a single race, I try to do something every day. A TRX but won the championship. I collected 50 trainer, ball, some weights and a hiking points, so my average of 10 races was bench in our garden is our gym. © Richard Langdon fifth place. Hours On The Water Each Week? Does Robert Ever Give You Tips? Hard to tell, very different each week. Boltenhagen, Germany Yes, we talk about our races and discuss First Thing You Do When Coming different situations on the water. He is Ashore From A Race? strong in rules, so I can ask his advice. Get a hot shower! Name: Gintare Volungeviciute Usually every day before we go to race we choose the tip of a day. Like: “Today Favourite Colour? Earth colours! Scheidt – no yellow flag” . Your Breakfast This Morning? Age: 29 Do You & Robert Train Together? Egg and bread, cottage cheese, yogurt, We love to go for a bike ride together, fruit…. My favourite is pancakes with Championship Success: or swimming. For sailing Laser we don’t banana > 2006 Europeans - 2nd have much time, when there is wind, he Favourite Ice Cream? Chocolate! sails his “Star” and me Laser Radial. In > 2008 Beijing Olympics - Silver Brazil we had one week of sailing Lasers Your Perfect Meal? > 2010 Europeans – 3rd together. Fried shrimps with garlic bread. > 2012 Laser Radial Worlds - Gold How Do You Spend Your Free Time? Favourite City? Torbole sul Garda We stay and do things with our son Erik Started Sailing? who turns 3 in August. He miss us a lot. Best TV Show: Olympic Games! 8 years old How Do You Both Juggle Parenthood Music? Classic and Pop With Your Olympic Campaigns? First Boat You Sailed? It’s not easy, but possible. We have to Favourite Drink? Fresh orange juice Optimist dinghy divide our time between sailing and Favourite Books? Lance Armstrong family. Our nanny is great, and she helps Who Introduced You To a lot. For a few regattas we take him Your Perfect Holiday? No sailing! Sailing? with us. He starts to understand, so he always tells me: “mommy, go sail fast Best Holiday Destination? Lithuania My parents took me to the club and come back, I wait for you”. I have and my first coach put me in to do my best, otherwise it wouldn’t be Most Influential Person? My Mom the boat. worthy leaving him at home. Top Three Things You Would Take To Time Spent In Weymouth To Prepare A Desert Island? For The 2012 Olympics? A big knife – to make a wooden boat. I did three regattas there, training camp Laser sail and hiking pants - to sail out! is still to go. Your Sporting Hero? My husband! Do You Have A Training Partner? No

Record 71 Nations Take Part In Olympic Qualifications

If ever there was any doubt that the Laser is the equipment that delivers “For nine nations Laser universality to the sailing world a quick delivered their only Olympic look at the participation in the Laser representative” and Laser Radial events at the ISAF Akrout Youseff from Tunisia grabbed the © Nils Bergmann Worlds in Perth and the Class Worlds in Germany shows an impressive 71 only Olympic place for his country with Andrea Aidana from Guatemala nations from all 6 continents attempting an improving light wind performance that to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games in qualified him for the gold fleet after 8 of the Laser and Laser Radial. the 14 races. With him went the 2009 Laser Radial World Youth champion, Keerati Bualong from Thailand. Gustavo “really tough to qualify” Lima from Portugal was another world champion who qualified early by making With only 48 countries allowed in the the cut to the gold fleet. This 2003 Laser one person men (Laser) and 39 in the Standard World Champion has been one person women (Laser Radial) there campaigning a Star over the last few was bound to be lots of disappointment years. amongst the celebrations. Sailors from 15 nations failed to qualify their country Mexican, Ricardo Montemayor took the in the Laser Radial and from 17 nations last Olympic country place on an epic © Nils Bergmann in the Laser. In the Laser and Laser final day when after 14 races he finished Radial it is really tough to qualify. just two points ahead of Enrique Arathon Tough Competition in from El Salvador who was only 10 points Boltenhagen, Germany At the class world championships in ahead of David Alfonso from Puerto Rico Germany the battle for Olympic country with Moldovia’s Alexander Denisiuc only qualification was as intense as the battle 3 points further points. to be crowned 2012 World Champion. In the Laser Radial women from 24 “Less than 2 points a race countries were racing to get one of separated these last 3 sailors the remaining 9 Olympic places and in from also being the only sailing the men 29 countries were racing for representative of their country 12 places. These races were divided at the Olympic Games.” into two parts as for both the men and The story was similar in the Women’s women, if you qualified for the gold fleet fleet when Phillipine van Aanholt it guaranteed your country a place in qualified for the gold fleet to give the the Olympics. Coincidently 6 countries Netherlands Antilles their only sailing in both the men’s and women’s fleets place at the Olympics. She follows in the qualified for the Olympics by getting © Thom Touw footsteps of her father Cor van Aanholt into the gold fleets. This left 3 women’s who represented Netherlands Antilles in Rohini Rau, India places and 6 men’s places available in the Laser at the 2000 Olympic Games. the respective silver fleets. As the men Andrea Aidana from Guatemala and were racing in 3 fleets the sailors who Andrea Foglia from Uruguay made it a did not make the cut for the silver fleet hat trick of gold fleet qualification places lost their chance of Olympic glory after for the smaller nations from the southern the 8 qualifier races. part of the American continent. The fourth and fifth level of competition Mayumi Roller and Paloma Schmidt was, for some sailors, the race to win made it a good end for the Caribbean national selection for the Olympics. 20 and South America taking the last two sailors from 7 countries in the women’s qualification places for US Virgin Islands fleet and 41 sailors from 13 countries and Peru. Once again those that just in the men’s fleet were still trying to missed a place did so by the same small © Richard Langdon, Ocean Images finish top of their country qualification margins as the men. After 12 races ISAF Worlds in Perth, Australia or achieve the minimum qualification Reka Kare from Hungary and was only criteria set by their National Olympic 5 points away from qualification and committee. Rohini Rau just 2 overall places from being the first woman to represent India in sailing at the Olympic Games. www.laserinternational.org