Laser World December 2008

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Brake © ILCA Paul Goodison and the Medal Winners © Mainsheet& Centreboard Blocks 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. 2 LaserWorld December 2008 2008 Beijing

do to try to make sure that didn’t happen Your battle with Rasmus Myrgren in the again in China. For me the whole 4 years medal race was exciting for us all to was about trying to become the best sailor watch. If you had been in his position, Paul I could be in the conditions expected in trying to protect the silver medal, would China. My whole training was changed you have done things differently? to peak in those conditions, in the end Yes, for sure. My plan was just to sail a Goodison... I lost nearly 10kg in weight specifically normal race but two minutes from the start for the Olympics. Each year we went to China I tried to lose a little bit of weight I looked at the course and it all seemed Congratulations on winning Olympic for the Pre-Olympic regattas. I think just to be falling apart. The conditions meant Gold in Qingdao after your 4th place in spending lots of time there and getting that anything could have been possible. Athens. What do you think was the key comfortable in the surroundings helped. So I decided to engage and unfortunately to your success this time? for Rasmus he ended up getting a little bit Do you think the tactics that worked too far away from the line. I think if I had I think really this time it was about focusing so well for you in Qingdao can now be been in his situation I would have definitely on just the one event and not really applied for other regattas and to help done things differently. I would have been Olympic Games worrying too much about what happened you win the World Championship title expecting it a little bit more and just trying in the rest of the events in the run up to that has proved so elusive in the past? to distance myself from the other guy who the games. Last time I tried to win every was essentially going to try to do this. regatta in the year of the games but you It would be amazing to win the World’s don’t need to win every regatta – as long at some point. It seems to be my jinxed What do you do in your free time when as you win the important ones! It was just event where I always slip up. I think in you’re not the Laser? a shift in focus and trying to peak for just the run up to Athens it was because I just I love to go windsurfing and mountain one event. wasn’t good enough. This time round I think the focus was just somewhere else biking. The only break I’ve had since You seem to have made Qingdao making it easier to slip up. Obviously the being back from China was to go surfing your home, winning the two Olympic conditions were different and there were for a few days. I threw the tent in the back Test Events and the Olympic Gold other guys that were better in stronger of the car and left my phone and computer medal. Could you plan for the difficult winds. at home to get away from it all. conditions in Qingdao? Did you have a game plan for the Who has had the greatest impact on I think after coming 4th last time (in Athens) Olympics? Were there any surprises your sailing? Why? we sat down and decided what for you? Initially my parents as they were the we needed to It was a difficult regatta. My biggest worry ones that took me to all of the sailing was that we had been concentrating so events. Then growing up and competing much on light winds. When we got against and actually being his to Qingdao we actually had a couple training partner for the Sydney Olympics of windy races. That for me was the was obviously a great influence. I could © Getty Images biggest fear. I was pretty confident see what was needed to win and how to with myself in the lighter winds but campaign properly. After that I’ve worked not so sure of myself in the stronger closely with my coach Chris Gowers for winds. Going to the Europeans a the last 10 years and he’s had a major couple of weeks before the Olympics influence on my sailing. really helped me because it was so What are you currently listening to on windy at the Europeans and I did your MP3 player? so well it gave me confidence that I could pull through the strong wind The Kooks and Kings of Leon. days too. I think the key was to be What are your sailing goals and plans strong in all conditions. for 2009 and beyond? When I finally get some time to myself I will be taking some time out. Before © Getty Images Christmas I think I will reassess what I am going to do next. In the long term future I would love to do another Olympics and then maybe something like the Volvo Ocean Race or the America’s Cup. What would be your 3 most important tips for sailors starting a 2012 Olympic campaign? 1. Buy my book!! 2. I think it’s all about having fun. I grew up never really aspiring to be an Olympian. I had my heroes, like Daley Thompson, but it was just about having fun on the water. 3. Give it your all and try not to leave any stone unturned. We have heard a rumour that you will be starting a 2012 Olympic campaign in another class. Is this true? I don’t know yet. I am going to wait until the classes are announced. I would obviously love to go Star sailing if that’s a possibility. I love sailing Lasers and if there is the opportunity to go to London in the Laser I would definitely want to take it. Thank you very much for speaking to us. We wish you the best of luck in the future.

www.laserinternational.org LaserWorld December 2008 3 Interviews with the Winners...

ceremony and I think it had a big impact of me and my sailing ever since. My on my event. When the torch was lit, it hit other coach Luther Carpenter because me that we were there, at the Games, it he has made these last couple of years Games Olympic Anna had started and it was game on!! As for fun and kept me wanting to come back the stress, I tried to have fun with it all. to learn more every time. And then my Also, coming out of the USA we have a idol, , for just being a great Tunnicliffe... very stressful Trials system, and I think sailor…his record is very impressive, and Congratulations on winning the Laser having gone through that, I was much it’s something I think we should all strive Radial Olympic Gold Medal. How does better prepared for the event. to achieve. it feel to be the Olympic Champion? What do you do in your free time when What would be your 3 most important Thank you, it feels amazing. It’s been a you’re not sailing the Laser Radial? tips for sailors starting a 2012 Olympic dream of mine since I was 12 or 13 years Now I’m training for my first triathlon, a campaign? old, and to have finally accomplished it is half-ironman at the end of October. I 1. Realize that you are a professional definitely a dream come true. like to do some sailing in other boats to athlete and act try and keep that way. What do you think my learning © Getty Images was the key to your curve going 2. Work hard, success? up, and I but don’t over I had a great support To have finally also enjoy t r a i n … k n o w team with me. I had two accomplished c o a c h i n g . when to stop very good coaches and B e s i d e s and take a some excellent training it is definitely a fitness I like break. partners leading into the to read and 3. Have fun. event. My coaches Mitch dream come h a n g o u t and Luther both played with my T h a n k s a big part in their special true! husband. Anna, we “ wish you areas and my husband Brad Funk spent a lot of What are the best of time in the Radial getting me ready for your sailing luck in the the Games. goals and plans for 2009 and beyond? future. Right now I am planning on sailing the Overall you had a really consistent World Cup series. I am also going to try Olympic Games with only one race and do as much match racing as possible, finish lower than sixth. What do you but I’m definitely aiming for London in think helped you to achieve that in 2012. ” such challenging conditions? My game plan going into the regatta Who has had the greatest impact on was to sail a conservative but consistant your sailing? Why? regatta. We had talked about not taking A lot of people have had a big impact too many big risks early on and just on my sailing. Firstly my parents for keeping my results in the top 6 or 7. For getting me into the sport. My college me the big thing was to get off the start coach, Mitch Brindley, brought me line and stick to the game plan that I had from being a young brat to being more worked with Luther on before the start, professional about my approach to adjusting it when I needed to. I felt I had sailing and since then has played pretty good speed most of the time so it a big part in my mental training for allowed me to hang in my lane allowing the sport. My husband Brad took me to do what I wanted to. me to my first international regatta The medal race was very exciting. and has been very supportive How did it feel when you were back in © Getty Images 9th place? I was a little nervous for sure, but I kept telling myself that the race was far from over and that in these conditions, anything can happen. And it did!! What was going through your mind when you realised that the wind had shifted and you were on the favoured side? I was very relieved to be on the favoured side…haha…because I got it very wrong on the first beat. But I kept saying “Please stay with me, please stay with me” so that I could move up through the fleet. Were you surprised by the performance of any of the other competitors? Who were you looking out for? Not really. The fleet was very tough as it had been all year long. We all knew who the top players would be and I think that everyone I expected was right there in the hunt for the medals. How did it feel to sail in your first Olympic Games? How did you remain level headed despite all of the distractions? It was very exciting to be at my first Olympics. I got to experience the opening © Getty Images www.laserinternational.org 4 LaserWorld December 2008

2008 Beijing Olympic Games

The Olympic Sailing Centre in Qingdao, winning a race, Tunnicliffe’s consistency struggled to win major regattas, but his China, was host to 400 of the world’s finest ensured her a two-point lead over Belgium’s talent seemed unquestionable with results sailors racing in 272 boats representing 62 Evi Van Acker who comfortably won race 1 of 1, 4, and 6 on day 6 all but guaranteeing nations during the 2008 Beijing Olympic from Penny Clark (GBR). him a gold medal. His results meant he had Games Sailing Competition. Following the amassed an 18-point lead over nearest Finn, the 49er and the Yngling. the Laser The world Laser Radial number 2 and rival Rasmus Myrgren (SWE) going into and the Laser Radial Sailing Competitions China’s medal hope, Lijia Xu, had a mixed the double-points Medal Race needing a commenced on the 12th August 2008 in day, finishing 24th in race 1, but lifting to 9th place or better in the 10-boat fleet to light winds. third in race 2, for 14th overall. secure gold. New Zealand’s world number 2 ranked The overnight leader in the Laser, Murdoch, In the Laser Radial fleet Tunnicliffe also took sailor, Andrew Murdoch (NZL), grabbed dropped to 13th on day 2 following a 40th steps towards the gold medal, regaining the the early lead after day one of racing in place finish while Italy’s Diego Romero overall lead. She recovered well from a the Laser at the Beijing Olympic Games (ITA) replaced him at the top of a continually 15th place finish at the start of the day to posting solid 2nd and 5th place results on changing leaderboard. Romero finished get a pair of second places in races 8 and a day that competitors described as tricky, fifth in race 3 to take the lead while Gustavo 9 to finish as one of only three sailors in the Lima (POR) came home third to go second

Olympic Games frustrating and difficult. running for the gold medal. overall. In 23rd overall, double Laser World With 21 points separating her from fourth Champion and world number 1 Tom Great Britain’s Penny Clark won day 2’s place, she guaranteed herself a spot on Slingsby (AUS) had what he described as only race in the Laser Radial but Tunnicliffe the podium. The previous fleet leader, “two bad ones”, giving him a mountain to remained firm at the top of the leaderboard Volungeviciute, also struggled in the first climb to get back into contention. with another solid performance. race of the day but came back strongly with On day 3, Goodison came ashore a happy sixth and fourth places finishes to end her American world number 1 in the Laser series. Radial, Anna Tunnicliffe, got off to a good man after his win in race 4 gave him the start in her campaign for gold and held overall lead. After an incredibly topsy- World number 2 Lijia Xu of China came out the overnight lead following a 4th turvy start to the Laser Opening Series, of day 6 in a strong position after scoring a and 5th place on day 1. Goodison topped the leaderboard on 33 bullet in race 7. She finished the day with points after four races. Rasmus Myrgren © Getty Images an 11th and a 6th to be third overall going Despite not (SWE), second in race 4, lay second in to the Medal Race. overall, with Igor Lisovenko (RUS) in third, four points further back. Overnight leader The Laser Medal Race got underway on the Diego Romero (ITA) fell back to eighth final day of racing in a light northwesterly after posting at 36th on day 3. breeze of around 6 knots. Goodison’s massive lead over the rest of the fleet In the Laser Radial, Lithuania’s meant that Myrgren was the only contender Gintare Volungeviciute threw down who could potentially beat him to the gold a serious challenge to Tunnicliffe medal. With that in mind, Goodison put a by winning race 4. Volungeviciute, tight cover on Myrgren, tracking his every known for her speed in light winds, move and pinning him well behind the won a closely fought race 4 in the Laser other eight competitors as the race got Radial fleet which started in 7 knots of underway. breeze increasing to 15 knots midway through the race. Goodison narrowly missed out on the medals in Athens, but the British sailor On day 4 in the Laser fleet, Rasmus was not to be denied in Qingdao. He Myrgren (SWE) finished eighth in race 5 ruthlessly sailed his only rival for gold out to hold on to second place overall, whilst of contention and although he only finished Athens bronze medallist, Vasilij Zbogar ninth in the Medal Race, the large points (SLO), moved up from sixth into third after lead he had established meant he still scoring a second place. secured overall victory. Zbogar finished New Zealand’s stole the overall second in the Medal Race to win silver, with lead of the Laser Radial fleet from world Romero taking bronze. number 1 Tunnicliffe after a second place Things didn’t look so good for Anna finish in the only race on day 4. Tunnicliffe during the Medal Race when On day 5 competitors enjoyed completely she had fallen back to ninth place. She Silver medallist Zbogar. different conditions to those battled back fiercely and managed to be on of the rest of the competition the favoured side following a big shift on with winds of up to 25 knots the second upwind leg, eventually crossing and gusts of up to 28 on high the finishing line in second place to secure seas. The lead changed the gold medal, the USA’s first gold medal © Getty Images again and pre-Olympic of the 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition. medal favourite Goodison Aged just 25, the world number 1 sailor reclaimed his lead of two can now add Olympic gold to her list of days earlier following race achievements. 6. Gintare Volungeviciute won the Medal Volungeviciute powered Race to take silver. For the first half of the to the front of the Laser race she had been in a gold medal winning Radial leaderboard on position, but despite coming so close to day 5 in breezes up to 25 Olympic victory she was still delighted with knots. Aleh moved from her success, becoming the first Lithuanian first overall into third after to ever win a medal in sailing at the Olympic a 14th place. Games. On day 6, Goodison took The bronze medal went to Lijia Xu of China, a giant step towards the first medal for the host nation in the winning an Olympic gold 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition. Xu, the medal with a superb 2006 World Champion, came third in the display in the final three Medal Race to secure herself a place on Laser races before the the Olympic podium. Medal Race. Anna Tunnicliffe chasing Jo Aleh. Full Results at: He missed a medal http://www.isaf.com/olympics/resultscentre.php in Athens and has www.laserinternational.org LaserWorld December 2008 5

© Thom Touw President’s Report

Our class President, Heini Wellmann, gives a summary of the items discussed at the World Council Meeting, 18-19th October 2008 in London.

The World Council met for the first time in Island in parallel to the Men a mid-year meeting and with only the “core” World Championship to be held there. • Laser Radial Men: Largs / Scotland members present, namely the four Regional Chairmen, two builder representatives, the • The age brackets for the Laser 4.7 Youth • Laser Radial Youth (Men and Executive Secretary and the President. This policy were slightly modified: the “under 15 Women): Largs / Scotland age category” will become “under 16 age intermediary meeting was decided as a test • Laser 4.7: Pattaya / Thailand at the last “full meeting” held in February 08 category”. Based on past and projected in Terrigal, Australia. It was felt that the time future World Championship participation • The preferred regions for the World span between the Terrigal meeting in February this change would give us a better chance Championships 2011 and 2012 were 2008 and the following full meeting in Halifax to give two official World Championship also decided. With the obvious exception at the end of August 2009 was quite big. While titles for “Laser 4.7 girls under 16” and of the 2011 Laser Standard Men and Laser the World Council uses e-mail and telephone “Laser 4.7 boys under 16” under the Radial Women World Championships extensively for their internal communications, current restrictions imposed by ISAF for which will be part of the ISAF Olympic certain more complex issues can only be such titles regarding the minimum number Classes Worlds in Perth, all the others will treated adequately and efficiently in face to of participants and countries represented. be open to bids. The bidding documents face meetings and decisions might therefore be • The venues for the 2010 World and process will start by year end 2008. unduly delayed. The smaller size (actually the Championships were confirmed subject one foreseen in the constitution) was decided to It was also decided to further improve the ILCA to the final signature of the contracts with internet pages by a more up to date regatta keep the expenses down, but also to facilitate the organisers: exchange of opinions and decision making. reporting. Whether or not we will continue with such a • Laser Standard Men: Hayling Island / I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy mid-year meeting in this form will be discussed UK and successful 2009! and decided at the Halifax meeting. Personally • Laser Standard Junior Men (new): I found the experience quite positive: we had Hayling Island / UK in depth discussions on important issues which face the class and several urgent decisions • Laser Masters: Hayling Island / UK were made. • Laser Radial Women: Largs / We approved the 2007 accounts (the ILCA Scotland accounting year goes from October 1st of the Heini Wellmann, Class President. preceding year until September 30th), took note of the results of a provisional account closing for 2008 (not audited yet), approved the budget 2009 and looked at the forecasts for 2010 and Fig 1. 2007 2008 Approved Provisional 2009 2010 2011 2011. See Fig 1. ILCA OFFICE Accounts Accounts Budget Forecast Forecast A proposal originating from the UKLA and submitted by the European Chairman to reduce INCOME substantially or even eliminate the membership fee collected annually from the Districts (£ 5 per Plaque Fees 74,527 47,102 57,000 57,000 58,000 member and year) was unanimously rejected. Sail Button Fees 44,926 49,200 50,500 51,000 51,500 However, the Council approved a proposal that the ILCA bank charges for the payments of the Membership Fees 70,395 80,501 79,000 79,000 80,000 membership fees by the Districts will be carried by ILCA in the future instead of by the Districts. Sale of Goods 8,384 11,221 11,800 12,508 13,258 This corresponds to normal international business practices. It amounts to approximately Contribution from Euro Region 8,727 23,897 21,000 18,000 19,080 5% of the membership fees transmitted and Contribution to ILCA for Entry 40,502 30,689 26,700 29,700 15,150 will reduce the cost to the Districts accordingly. The approved budget 2009 as above takes this into consideration. The forecast 2010 and 2011 Contribution to ILCA for Charter -22,480 13,501 19,500 19,000 19,000 show an increasing deficit. The Council felt that Interest Receivable 33,009 42,480 41,000 42,025 43,286 this was for the moment acceptable and does not require any immediate action in view of the Total Income 257,990 298,591 306,500 308,233 299,274 accumulated funds by the Association. EXPENDITURE Quite some time was spent on technical matters and rule changes, which had been Publications 16,639 20,702 23,700 24,885 26,130 pre-discussed in a preceding full day meeting between the Technical and Measurement Testing & Development 8,040 9,527 9,000 5,000 5,000 Committee (TMC) and the builder representatives. Tracy Usher, the chairman of Salaries & Pension 134,676 183,058 195,872 209,583 224,254 the TMC has written a separate article on this Office & Travel 28,250 27,247 31,780 37,120 34,832 subject, which you can also find in this issue of LaserWorld. The World Council accepted all the Auditors / Bank Charges 7,166 6,868 10,750 11,288 11,852 different proposals by the TMC. Depreciation 5,286 5,500 5,500 2,100 2,100 In the area of organisation and planning of World Championships the following decisions Cost of Purchases 9,942 13,265 14,000 14,700 15,435 were made: ISAF / World Council 6,042 14,276 16,500 12,500 16,500 • A Laser Junior Standard Men World Championship will be introduced. It will Total Expenditure 216,041 280,443 307,102 317,176 336,103 be open to sailors who will reach 17, 18, 19 or 20 years of age in the year of the Accumulated Funds b/f 809,587 851,536 869,684 869,082 860,139 championship and will be an “allocated event” (with qualifications for the limited Surplus for year 41,949 18,148 -602 -8,943 -36,829 allocated places per country/district). The first one will be held in 2010 in Hayling Accumulated Funds c/f 851,536 869,684 869,082 860,139 823,310 www.laserinternational.org 6 LaserWorld December 2008 World Laser 4.7 Championship 2008 Trogir, Croatia on the beautiful Adriatic coast and all points of the compass and included Spanish competitor Patricia Coro Leveque became a true sailing Mecca when a record entries from several countries who sent moved up from third place with 15 points. fleet of 400 young sailors from all over the representatives to the World Laser 4.7’s for Elizabeth Yin from Singapore sailed well world arrived for the 2008 World Laser 4.7 the first time. scoring a second and fourth closing in on the competition finishing in third position overall Youth Championships. The entries, from over To cope with the high entry the 279 boys and

Laser 4.7 on 18 points. 40 countries, came from all six continents 116 girls, all under 18 years old, were split into four fleets and two fleets respectively In the boys’ competition, jaws were dropping and sailed 4 days of qualifier races before as Jacob scored yet another two bullets, being split into finals fleets for the last two showing terrific skill and determination as days. well as technique and raw speed. Hot on his trail was Sydney who delivered a consistent The boys got off to an exciting start on day 1 performance and came in second place of the championship. Conditions were tricky overall after a fourth and third place finish. due to a blustery wind which kept changing Third overall was taken by Greek contender direction and strength, keeping sailors and Nikolaos Chrisos who complemented his race officials on their toes. Israeli sailor second and fourth place of day 1 with an Shahar Jacob and Singapore sailor Scott impressive victory in the first race and a Sydney both got off to a great start, each third place in the second race to finish on winning two races in their respective fleets 10 points. and finishing in joint first position on the leader board. In the two girls’ fleets, sailing Maintaining his impressive record of on the inshore course, Croatian locals took achievement in the competition, Jacob the top spots. Favouring strong winds, Matea finished second in his first race and fourth Senkic was pleased with the conditions. in his second race on the third day of the An excellent start in the first race set her qualifying series, leaving him two points clear up nicely and she won the race. In the at the top of the leader board. Jacob is aiming second race she came fourth in her fleet for the top. He sees himself as an Olympian and so finished the day in the top spot on one day and is prepared to put in the work 5 points. Just one point behind her, fellow to make sure that happens. His coach, Erez Croatian Antea Kordic settled Eliahou, who has worked with him for four on 6 points after her fourth and years, confirmed that grit and determination The Girls Fleet. second place finishes. are Jacob’s principal qualities. © ILCA Sailors were greeted by great It was also a good day for Chrisos who conditions on the second day scored victories in both his group races of the qualifying series with finishing with 8 points and snatching second a consistent Maestral wind place overall from Sydney. Sydney showed a of around 10 knots. Senkic consistent performance again and ended the successfully defended day in third overall with 14 points. her top spot with a fifth In the girls’ competition, Senkic maintained and first place finish, but her impressive run and excellent results of Kordic had a difficult first first and fourth in her two fleet races and race in which she finished assured her position at the top of the leader 18th, and, although she board with 11 points. Yin worked her way up hit straight back with a the leader board, winning her first race and first place in the second then scoring a ninth place in the second race, race, it wasn’t enough to pushing her into second place on 17 points. keep the second overall Patricia Coro Leveque finished the day in dropping down to fourth. third place overall just two points behind Yin.

Elizabeth Yin. © ILCA

© ILCA

www.laserinternational.org LaserWorld December 2008 7 World Laser 4.7 400 Competitors from 40+ countries compete in Croatia Laser 4.7 Laser

Leveque is a determined young woman who started a quiet but determined ascent up the class worldwide. The Laser 4.7 is used by a only started sailing the Laser 4.7 a year ago. leader board. number of countries for sailors progressing from the Optimist class and has been She trains four days a week on the sea and In the girls’ fleets, Elizabeth Yin scored a in the gym – it seems to pay off! particularly attractive to new sailing nations very strong first place followed by a ninth and who have started with a strong Optimist It really couldn’t have been much closer at the so passed Croatia’s Senkic to head up the programme introducing youngsters to sailing top of the girls’ leader board. After an exciting leader board with a six point advantage. and are now looking for an easy, low cost fourth day’s racing in the qualifying rounds Senkic had a trying day with a respectable youth development programme. with great weather conditions, Senkic hung eighth place in her first race but a (discarded) on to her overall lead by a single point from As the sailors grow older and stronger and 28th in her second fleet race. Spain’s Patricia are ready to progress at their own speed, they Elizabeth Yin. Senkic took a strong second in Coro Leveque, who finished the day in third her first race and scored a ninth place in her don’t need to change to a completely different place, was according to her supportive father boat, but can simply replace the mast and second race. After 8 completed races in the more than happy with her performance. And qualifying rounds, Senkic was able to discard sail with a Laser Radial or Laser Standard. not surprisingly - second and fourth places in In addition to being much more cost effective her ninth place and so retained her overall technically difficult circumstances is not a bad lead with 18 points. it also means it will take the sailors less time result at all. to adjust to a just a rig change and instead Yin, on the other hand, had a slow start to the Sailing conditions on the last day of the continue working on improving technique and competition on day 1, so after discarding her finals series were tricky again due to a storm tactical skills. first race result of 11th place, couldn’t afford system further up the coast which caused the to slip up on day 4 of the championship – wind to veer. Jacob finished tenth in both of and she didn’t! She blasted the competition, the races and concluded the championship Full Results at: http://events.laserinternational. demonstrated real quality and won both her on 31 points, 18 points clear of the rest of org/en/events/results/100z15 group races in fine style, finishing with 19 the fleet. His crown as Laser 4.7 Boy’s points and opening up a considerable gap in World Champion 2008 was thoroughly the results table over the rest of the fleet. deserved and a first for Israel in any Laser In the boys’ competition, Jacob continued to fleet. Singapore’s Scott Sydney retained show real class and a maturity beyond his his second overall position after winning years. In his two races he again dominated the penultimate race of the championship. the field, scoring a second and a first place Sydney has a way of using his power and to draw four points clear of Chrisos. Chrisos height to good advantage and his runner-up himself proved to be a competitor worth placing is a clear affirmation of his sailing watching after scoring four first places in his skills and the continuing development of fleet races so far and clearly demonstrating Singapore’s high performance programme. noteworthy strength, technique and speed. Jacob and Sydney were joined on the podium Christos Chionas, a well-known coach from by local sailor Lovre Perhat who finished the the Piraeus Sailing Club in Greece with a championship on 60 points. good track record of trainee successes in In the girls competition, Antea Kordic and Olympic and World Championship events, Matea Senkic, who came third and second put Nikolaos’s success down to his hard work respectively in the girls fleet, demonstrated and keen ambition to improve. without doubt that Croatia has the potential What would sailing be without its inherent for world-beating performances in future unpredictability? Throw a bit of blustery wind senior women’s international events. But the and waves into the equation and the form championship crown in the girls fleet was book goes out of the window. Most of the first reserved for the remarkable Elizabeth Yin from day of the finals series saw perfect racing Singapore, who finished the championship on conditions consisting of a maestral wind of 12 a high with a victory

to 20 knots. However, a sudden tramontana in the last race and a © ILCA © The Boys Fleet. wind from the NW, a swing of 60 degrees, tremendous 27 point called for a radical change in race plan and lead to the rest of the © ILCA the second boys race was interrupted, the fleet. course was changed and after a delay of an Laser Standard silver hour the race re-commenced. medallist, Vasilij Zbogar, Jacob’s first race was, by his own elevated just back from Qingdao, standards, a problematic one in which he only made the short journey managed a 13th place. However, the rules from neighbouring allowed him to discard this score and in his Slovenia to present the second finals race he again demonstrated his prizes at a spectacular superiority despite the course changes and closing ceremony. finished in second place. This left him at the Now arguably the top of the table with a remarkable 11 points largest and most after 10 races and a seemingly unbeatable 15 important class in the points lead. Sydney had a mixed day and was Laser single-handed also grateful for the opportunity to discard family, the sheer size his 39th place in the second finals race, of this year’s Laser 4.7 but his eighth place in the race before was World Championship, enough to lift his overall position from third one of the biggest to second. After a second and seventh place, events ever held by local contender Lovre Perhat moved into third ILCA, is an affirmation Shahar Jacob.ob overall. Perhat had started the championship of the strength and with a respectable 15th overall and then growth of the Laser 4.7 www.laserinternational.org 8 LaserWorld December 2008

Boat Development & Rule Changes

Technical and Measurement Chairman, Tracy Usher, gives a summary of the items discussed at the recent Technical and Measurement Committee Meeting.

The ILCA Technical and Measurement a real improvement in the boat and/or its Committee (TMC) met with builder’s equipment. After long periods of testing, two representatives on 17th October 2008, in changes received final approval: London, immediately preceding the mid-year World Council meeting (see Heini Wellmann’s 1. The centerboard brake has been article in this issue of LaserWorld). A large redesigned and the new version both grips number of topics were addressed in the TMC the centerboard much better and has a much meeting, with proposals then carried forward longer lifetime. This item should be available for approval by the World Council. This article mid/late 2009 and is expected to retail around attempts to highlight the main results of these $10 US. meetings. 2. Harken has developed a new set of A number of proposed Class Rules changes ball bearing blocks to replace the venerable Holt boom and traveller blocks. These blocks were considered with the following six to be Centreboard Friction Brake. submitted to the membership for approval: not only run much easier, but their design also addresses wear issues that the Holt blocks 1. A common sailor complaint centers suffered from. These should be available mid/ on the maintenance of the o-rings responsible late 2009 and a complete set is expected to for the proper operation of the self-bailer. retail around $90 US. In particular, they seem to need frequent adjustment and/or replacement and often sailors In addition to the above, the status of the GRP can’t easily find builder supplied replacements. foils was reviewed. Both Performance Sailcraft To help alleviate this situation, it is proposed Australia and Laser Performance are producing to modify rule 13 to deregulate the o-rings GRP foils which have been shown to match the and allow alternative replacements, provided characteristics (shape, weight, flex, etc.) of the the inherent function of the bailer remains Crompton foils. Laser Performance GRP foils unchanged. will be available to Europe, North and South America in early 2009. 2. Several years ago, rule 14(d) was introduced which aimed to help reduce the The TMC also reviewed progress on several wear on the gelcoat at the top front edge of Measurer and Measurement issues: the centerboard case by allowing the use of 1. Jean-Luc Michon has completed a a small piece of plastic tape. However, sailors final draft of the Measurer’s Manual and it is have complained that most commonly available undergoing final review. When done this will be plastic tapes are rubbed off almost immediately placed on a Measurer’s section of the website by the friction of the centerboard as it slides and then a program of training and certifying up and down. The aim of this rule change is District Measurers will commence with the goal to de-specify the tape, allowing the use of any of being able to have a certified ILCA Measurer general material, of the same dimensions, to in all major sailing areas. protect the gelcoat. 2. In addition to training Measurers, a 3. It is a good bet that every Laser Measurement section of the ILCA website is sailor has, at some point, used either tape or under development. It will include a frequently a marking pen to place reference points on asked question section, a section with the boat (for example on the boom to measure photographs of both legal and illegal rigging outhaul settings). Technically, this is not strictly options and other things which the sailor can allowed and it is proposed to introduce a new access and use to help them understand some rule to explicitly allow this common practice. of the details of the Laser Class Rules. Harken Blocks. 4. Another common practice which is 3. The TMC aims to develop a not strictly legal is the use of lubricants (e.g. standardized procedure, and web based form, (split longitudinally) plastic cup which inserts silicon sprays) above the decks (for example for sailors to submit proposals for changes to, into the top of the lower spar and “holds” the on the end of the boom to insure the clew or interpretations of, the Class Rules. A second upper mast. This removes the mast collar and strap slides easily). This is another rule change web based form will also be developed which the need for the rivet allowing one to rotate the aimed at explicitly allowing another common enables a sailor to request assistance from the mast at will. This design has been prototyped practice. class in dealing with a quality problem with their and looks to be very promising. Stay tuned for more information! 5. Sailors have requested that the boat. outhaul blocks specified in rule 3(f)(v) be Finally, the TMC discussed at length several 2. The TMC reviewed the status of two allowed to be bolted to the gooseneck. longer term projects whose primary aim is to proposals to modify the Standard sail. One either improve the boat or address perceived design, from Hyde, is a bi-radial cut using a 6. Finally, sailors have also requested yarn tempered cloth which aims to improve that rule 3(f)(v) also be amended to allow a problems. Two key topics deserve mention here: quality and durability while retailing at around double block instead of two single blocks. the same price. The second, from North, Text of the proposed rule changes, along with 1. There was general agreement to put modifies the standard cross cut shape slightly detailed explanations, will be posted on the ILCA the composite upper mast project on hold. The to address some shape issues, adds improved website and published in the March 09 edition masts that were prototyped were intended to reinforcements at key wear points and aims of LaserWorld. Voting for the changes will be by reduce the average weight for Laser Radial to improve durability while decreasing cost. paper ballot (in LaserWorld) and on the website sailors but field testing indicated a reduction Both proposals were well received and, after and will run from March to September. The in performance in lighter winds. A composite a lengthy discussion, the TMC and builders World Council will ratify the results and submit mast with the same bend characteristics as agreed on a common set of objectives to the proposed rule changes to ISAF for final the aluminium seems promising as a way to improve quality and durability while maintaining approval. Approved rule changes will come into solve permanent bend and breakage issues the current performance. The next round of effect in 2010. but there is some concern over long term prototyping will begin soon with the goal of durability. In the meantime, the builders have making a decision on the time scale of the next Changes to Builder Supplied equipment, unlike made significant progress with the aluminium World Council meeting. Class Rule changes, are approved by both the top mast and, in addition, Clive Humphris (ILCA builders and the World Council and are not Technical Officer) has developed a “split collet” The TMC will meet again next summer before subject to a vote of the Class Membership. to replace the currently riveted mast collar (the the World Council meeting in Halifax. Sailors Typically these are items with long development primary failure point for the aluminium spars). who have questions, comments, suggestions, cycles involving sailor testing and represent The “split collet” is essentially a two piece etc. can contact the Technical Officer at [email protected]. www.laserinternational.org