March 2017 Laser Worlds U-21 © Laser Worlds

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WHERE CHAMPIONS ARE MADE PRESIDENT’S REPORT AND USING SOCIAL MEDIA WORLD COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARY TO BUILD YOUR FLEET

© Otto Kasch, www.okpress.de © Joe Berkeley 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. Where Champions Are Made!

So often we’ve seen the battle for Olympic epic rivalry in the Laser, perhaps? Another titles come down to a two-horse race, a Ainslie vs Scheidt duel come Tokyo 2020… match race for gold and silver. This Vagelis Chimonas, Papadimitriou’s coach, summer’s Laser 4.7 World Championships certainly believes we are looking at a and Laser U21 Youth World Championships young sailor of exceptional talent, one who Dimitrios Papadimitriou GRE in Kiel, Germany, brought one of the most can remain calm in the most pressured dramatic showdowns between two world- of situations. ‘I have known Dimitrios for class talents, two names to watch out for on two years now, and I will work with him in the Olympic circuit. the future in the Laser Radial too. We can In the boys’ division of the Laser 4.7 Youth expect a lot more from him.’ Worlds, Guido Gallinaro won the penultimate Organised by the Kieler Yacht Club, these race of the competition with ease, and Laser championships threw a little bit of looked set to defend the world title he’d won everything at the 681 competitors in terms in 2015. His closest competitor, Dimitrios of weather, from sunshine to rain, and Papadimitriou, had only managed 11th. It from 5kt to 25kt of wind. There were four would take a minor miracle for the Greek to championship titles up for grabs, and each overturn the Italian’s advantage. of the four champions could truly claim to ‘My coach told me I can win it, and I said be an all-rounder. The specialists had their OK, I will go out and win the race and do my day, but this was a week where the varied © Otto Kasch, www.okpress.de best,’ said Papadimitriou. He went out and conditions demanded a full complement of Guido Gallinaro ITA executed the plan perfectly, winning the final boathandling, boatspeed and tactical skills. race by 1 minute 48 seconds, a country mile Emma Savelon had sailed a very consistent in Laser terms. Now he would have to wait regatta but on the final day had to hold off to see how Gallinaro fared. Above: Guido Gallinaro of a late charge from Russian sailor Mariia Italy took five bullets in Kiel Papadimitriou could scarcely believe his Kislukhina who won both final heats in but was still edged out for the eyes as the Italian struggled across the the girls’ division of the Laser 4.7 Youths. Boys’ Under-18 Laser 4.7 title line in an uncharacteristic 40th place, never But the Dutch competitor held her nerve by Dimitrios Papadimitriou of having managed to find a way back to the to score two seventh places, sufficient to Greece… by just one point. front after a poor start. give Savelon the world title by 7pt from the This was indeed a ‘big’ regatta, Papadimitriou had won his first world Russian. with 127 girls and 262 boys championship by a single point. While the 16-year-old sailor from Medemblik competing in the Under-18 For Gallinaro it was a cruel way to lose the had kept her cool on the racecourse, all fleets alone… plus another 292 championship, having had one hand on the pent-up emotion came pouring out as entries in the Under-21s. the title. Even more cruel was the fact that she stepped ashore, exhausted but elated. history was repeating itself. Earlier in the ‘It hasn’t sunk in yet, what I’ve done. That year at the Europeans it was another close second race was very tough. My start was battle between the Italian and the Greek, far from perfect, and I was on the wrong and there too it was Papadimitriou who side of the course on the first upwind leg. emerged victorious. No doubt Gallinaro will Downwind I had to work hard just to keep be keen for revenge… the dawn of another going as fast as possible, and then had to get everything right on the last beat.’ Otto Kasch, www.okpress.de Otto © © Where Champions Are Made! www.segel-bilder.de

the former Olympic sailing venue for the 2016 junior world championships.

Add Savelon’s win to Marit Bouwmeester’s every June - running Kieler Woche with Olympic gold medal at Rio 2016 a few 4,000 sailors competing in 2,000 boats in weeks later and the future for women’s classes ranging from the 420 through to singlehanded sailing looks bright in the large keelboats of 50ft or more – the Laser © www.segel-bilder.de Netherlands. Youth World Championship was a walk in In the 144-boat Under-21 division for the the park in comparison. Kiel’s big opening ceremony boys in the Laser Standard the battle came One invaluable experience for the young down to just 3pt, with Jonatan Vadnai of competitors at such a big regatta was © www.segel-bilder.de Hungary just beating defending champion exposure to the media. The top sailors Joel Rodriguez of Spain. ‘It’s a fantastic were interviewed after racing each day feeling,’ said Vadnai. ‘A three-point gap after and for some the nerves of speaking in 10 races is nothing. It’s been a great battle. front of a camera and answering tough This is a feeling I definitely hope to repeat questions appeared to exceed the stresses in my career!’ of racing! It’s one of the things that makes The only clear victory of the championships the Olympics so unique, and so difficult for was by Monika Mikkola, who dominated some to cope with, the sudden deluge of the Girls’ division of the Under-21 Radial media attention. fleet. It’s a measure of the challenging What is impressive about the new generation conditions in Kiel that even the eventual of sailors coming through is how comfortable winner capsized on more than one occasion. they are with working with the media. You But Mikkola kept her composure and the can see for yourself if you look through Monika Mikola FIN 20-year-old Finn led from day one, notching some of the YouTube videos of the Laser up four wins and two seconds along the regattas (laser4.7.laserworldskiel2016.com) way. With her worst scores a 5th and 6th, Another benefit for sailors, coaches and also Above: the impressive Finnish Mikkola didn’t even need to race the final some of the spectators around the world is sailor Monika Mikkola won the day. It was the perfect way to round off a the relatively recent facility to scroll back Women’s Laser Radial world title glittering career at junior level. through the live tracking and commentary by a chunky 16pt margin from It might not be so easy when Mikkola steps on previous races held at Kiel. Thanks runner-up Vasileia Karachaliou of up to the Olympic circuit next season. to SAP Analytics, the sailors can review Greece. In fact, Greece had a very ‘This was the last year I qualify at this age their own performance and see what were strong regatta in Kiel, picking up level, so it was great to win in Kiel. It will the winning – and losing – moves on the a number of medals which bodes probably be a while before I win anything racetrack. There’s the old way of running well for Tokyo 2020. The Kiel again…’ she added modestly. Mikkola now regattas, and there’s the 21st century way event was also ‘big’ off the water, looks forward to the rigours of campaigning of running regattas, and Kieler Yacht Club’s with an Olympian opening parade (top photo) and later on a similarly for Tokyo 2020. Vasileia Karachaliou took modern approach to championships is why another silver for Greece with Maité Carlier more and more classes are coming to Kiel- well organised closing ceremony. of Belgium taking bronze. Schilksee to enjoy some of the best regatta With almost 700 entries this was a big management in the world. regatta and, with four divisions, the logistical This article was first published in challenges were significant. But bearing in Seahorse International Sailing Magazine mind what the same organising team do www.seahorsemagazine.com

www.laserinternational.org Using Social MediaTo Build Your Fleet

Joe Berkeley explains how social media can help build your fleet, tell a great story and all for free!

People have a lot more options when it and writing your regatta report with the comes to free time than they used to. other half of your brain at the same time. To build a Laser fleet or keep your fleet The idea is you want to gather up these strong, you need to do whatever you can. little nuggets then send them out while While social media is a great way to waste they are still fleet news, not fleet history. time, “Hey, look at this kitten video!”, it’s So even though you’re tired and you also a good way to build turnout in your want to go to bed, stay up just long local fleet. enough to write your story and send out Start with a strategic idea of what your your photos. Start with what your fleet offers... fleet offers. It could be fun. It could be It doesn’t matter if there are typos. What great racing. It could be a combination of matters is that there is a record out there © Joe Berkeley competition and camaraderie. It could be of what happened. People who sailed pizza after sailing. should read it and say, “I’m so glad I When I started doing social media for sailed!’ People who didn’t sail should Newport Frostbite Fleet, the strategy I think, “Oh, I gotta go next weekend.” worked against was “Join the best Laser The biggest capsize of the day can be fleet in the world.” For those who race a lot more interesting to people than the to win like Peter Shope, the fleet is tale of the guy who started at the boat, all about world-class competition. For hiked really hard and crushed the fleet. others, who love to be outdoors, it’s about There are also stories that have been the friendship. good since the beginning of time. The To promote your fleet, remember the Return of the Prodigal Sailor, the tale old saying that a picture is worth one of the Master who quit sailing 25 years ... great racing, competition, thousand words. Even an iPhone will ago, got a job, got laid off, got fat, got camaraderie or just good pizza! enable you to capture stills and video of divorced, then came back to great sailing fleet members. If the Race Commitee can glory. capture some sailing shots, that’s great. The tale of the up and comer is always a Send those out once a week with a write good read. Fleet dogs are good. Young up of the day and scores. people are good because they have But don’t just limit your photography to many friends on social media and it’s Lasers out sailing. Look for great shots in free advertising. Two generations sailing the parking lot. One day, Andy Pimental on the same race course is forever was rigging up and I noted that the seat of green. There are so many good stories his hiking pants was severely worn. in the Laser class, you just need to look Given the popularity of Kim Kardashian’s around and grab them. © Joe Berkeley posterior, I was curious if a photo of Andy All you need is a notebook and a pencil. Pimental’s would be just as popular. It Take some notes at the end of the A picture is worth a thousand words. was. While Andy’s buttocks did not break regatta, collect some quotes, take a the internet, it did procure more likes than photo of the scores, then you have what a beautiful portrait of Steve Kirkpatrick’s you need to make your report. face. Andy Pimental noted, “this is as it Alright, so this is starting to sound like should be.” some work here. Why bother? Well, You can take great photos with an iPhone. because you get to sail against more Just make sure the sun is at your back, boats. In Newport, four different people front lighting the subject. Good lighting regularly contribute to the social media and an iPhone is better than lousy lighting effort and it makes a difference. and the best camera in the world. Last year, there were more than 100 Now you need some good stories to go boats registered for the frostbite season with your photos. For the most part, these and we had 53 boats on the line on the will just fall into your lap. If someone has same day. Which is a lot more fun than © Joe Berkeley a new traveler, that could be a story. If looking at stupid videos online. a local sailor came back from a faraway regatta, that could be a good story. While Andy‘s rear gets lots of likes. you’re out racing, you could be thinking Joe Berkeley is a writer, photographer about the race in one track of your brain and director. His work is at joeberkeley.com www.laserinternational.org 2016 World Council Meeting Summary © www.segel-bilder.de

The ILCA World Council recently held its mid-year meeting in London, England on 19 November - 20 November 2016.

Jean-Luc Michon - Chairman Europe, Belgium. The Radial Youth Worlds will Ken Hurling - Chairman Asia-Pacific, be held in Medemblik, Netherlands Andy Roy - Chairman North America, Eric followed immediately by the Radial Men’s Faust - Executive Secretary, Bahman and Radial Women’s Worlds, which Kia - Builders’ Advisory Council, Laser will be run concurrently. Split, Croatia Performance, Chris Caldecoat - Builders’ will then host two championships in Advisory Council, Performance Sailcraft September 2017 – the Standard Men’s Australia, Takao Otani - Consultant, Jeff and Masters Worlds. All events will once Martin – Executive Secretary Emeritus again utilize the custom-built regatta and Clive Humphris - Technical Officer. entry system designed to facilitate the Elections and Appointments: No specific requirements for ILCA events. Eric Faust resignations were received so the current Possible venues for the 2019 and 2020 Executive Secretary slate of elected officers remains in place championships were also presented for the coming year. The World Council and reviewed. There was some discussion about holding a “Corinthian The ILCA World Council recently held voted to appoint Nick Page from New Zealand as the ILCA Treasurer and a Championship” aimed at creating a fun its annual meeting near the London event for sailors who do not participate Heathrow Airport. Due to the length of non-voting member of the World Council. Nick is a recently retired business owner, at the Olympic level. This idea may be the agenda, the meeting took place over tested on the national or continental level two days on November 19-20, 2016. In an active Laser sailor and has served as the Vice-Chairman of the Asia-Pacific to determine if it is viable format for the attendance were: Tracy Usher - President, class. Hugh Leicester - Vice President, Carlos Region for the past several years. Nick’s Palombo - Chairman South America, knowledge and experience will be Review of Reports and Submissions: A welcomed. report was received from the Technical Membership and Accounts: and Measurement Committee (TMC) ILCA FINANCIAL SUMMARY 2015 2014 ILCA membership remains meeting held on the previous day including stable with approximately the wording for several proposed rule INCOME USD USD 14,000 paid members changes that will soon be submitted to the membership for the required vote. Clive Plaque fees 175,266 151,166 worldwide, a slight decrease over the previous year due Humphris reported that he had conducted Sail buttons fees 156,749 107,607 mainly to significantly lower audits of each Laser builder during the Membership Dues 126,703 135,776 membership in Italy. The final year. The results of his analysis show that, due to tightened tolerances, Lasers Sales (less COGS) -7,169 -9,940 accounts from 2015 were presented and approved are more equal worldwide than ever Contribution from Entry 166,577 171,805 along with the 2016 projected before. It was reported that all necessary Contribution from Charter 58,387 18,214 year-end accounts. The approvals for a material independent top mast section have been obtained and Other Income 538 5,175 association operated below its budget for the year and ended the Laser Builders were encouraged to Total Income 677,051 579,803 FY 2015 with a positive net introduce the new product into the market as soon as possible. EXPENSES income. Projections showed a modest positive net income Regional Matters: Because Laser activity Publications 23,986 20,815 is also expected for the year in Asia has increased over the years, Technical Development 13,232 13,233 ending December 2016. the World Council voted to split the Administration 380,771 398,195 The World Council remains existing Asia-Pacific Region in two parts. dedicated to managing costs The two regions will now be named the Office & Overheads 41,946 47,586 while providing high-quality Asian Region and the Oceania Region. Professional Services 73,845 28,752 service to all ILCA members. Takao Otani will soon nominate an Bank/ Merchant Fees 45,655 26,327 This is reflected in the 2017 Asian Chairman and Vice Chairman for budget, which was then approval by the World Council while the World Council Expenses 15,162 15,160 reviewed and approved as Oceania Region will retain the officers Travel & Meetings 33,825 25,942 presented. from the old Asia-Pacific Region. Each Other Expenses 8,323 5,343 Regattas and Events: The Regional Chairman then gave a report on activities in his area and Jeff Martin Total Expenses 636,745 581,353 2017 schedule is set and work is well underway to gave a report on the recent World Sailing Accumulated Funds b/f 810,857 812,407 finalize the 2018 calendar. Conference in Barcelona. Net Income 40,306 -1,550 The ILCA season kicks off Next Meeting: The next World Council Accumulated Funds c/f 851,163 810,857 with the 4.7 and Under-21 Meeting is slated for November 2017. championships in Niewpoort,

www.laserinternational.org President’s Report

Tracy Usher discusses changes to the equipment and to the ILCA!

Living here in the San Francisco Bay greatly ease the task of updating and area we see March as the transition maintaining the site. Additional goals month as the thermal breezes the area were to simplify navigation to make it is famous for reawaken for another more obvious how to find things (e.g. season. March is also the month that the class rules), break the old news Tracy Usher welcomes Spring and for sailors in the section into various sections so one northern hemisphere it is time to start can easily find regatta reports, how laying those plans for Laser sailing for to articles, interviews with other Laser Finally, as the adage goes - “may the upcoming year! sailors, etc. Another important feature you live in interesting times”. And we This year’s world championship events is to tie directly into social media which certainly do! The World Council is aware have all been scheduled for Europe, is increasingly the place where people of supply issues being experienced in beginning with the 4.7 and under 21 get their initial updates. The new site several areas of the world. ILCA has Worlds in Belgium, followed by the debuted just a few weeks ago, please discussed this issue with the builder Laser Radial Youth, Men’s and Women’s take it for a test drive and send feedback in question with assurances that any Worlds in Medemblik and culminating back to the class office! shortages are short term in nature. At with the Standard Men’s and Master’s An interesting news item you can find on this same time we are also working to Worlds in Split. This should be an the new website is the announcement of address other issues which have the amazing Summer of sailing and we are the introduction of the new composite possibility to impact the class going expecting high demand for all events! upper mast section. We expect this spar forward. Also new in time for Spring is the new to “trickle” into the market initially as In the meantime, we’re looking forward ILCA website! A driving force behind all the builders get their vendors up to to another great year of Laser sailing! speed but expect that by Summer it will the new website was to place it in a See you on the water! more universal framework which would be available worldwide.

Jeff Martin reviews his favourite rule book: “The Rules in Practice 2017 - 2020” by Bryan Willis.

Published by fernhurstbooks.com since person – any person who provides Changes to right of way rules 18.2, 18.3 1985 a new edition is written by Bryan support to a competitor including and 19.1 will be discussed in the next after each Olympic Games when the coaches, medics, parent or guardian LaserWorld. International Sailing Federation now of the competitor. A support person called “World Sailing” publishes the new is now added to a revised rule 69 “Racing Rules of Sailing” for the next now headed “Misconduct”. If a support four year cycle. person has broken a rule the Protest Bryan’s book is well illustrated using Committee may take action against the Laser diagrams in 90 pages showing a support person and may also penalize a variety of situations on the course from competitor for the breach of a rule by a start to finish. Each diagram has easy support person. to follow comments on what the options World Sailing Regulations can be found are for each boat in the diagram. Also at: http://www.sailing.org/documents/ included is a full set of racing rules. It regulations/regulations.php is great for looking up situations that Of interest to Laser sailors; Rule 22.3 happened in a race or just going step by now reads “A boat moving astern, or step round a race course. sideways to windward, through the For 2017 the biggest change is the long water by backing a sail shall keep clear overdue introduction of two new rules; of one that is not”. This is sometimes Rule 6 Betting and Anti-Corruption known as “crabbing” and is common on Code (World Sailing Regulation 37) a start line. Rule 64.3 now says if you and Rule 7 Disciplinary Code (World have broken a class rule in more than Sailing Regulation 35). Significantly one race in the same event a penalty the introduce a new definition support may be imposed for each race.