Reply to Nick Livingstone

[International Laser Class Association <ilca (at) EASYNET.CO.UK>]

Follows is my reply to the posting on rule changes from Nick Livingstone

Jeff Martin

Both the European Laser Class Chairman, Heini Wellmann, and myself have had
long discussions with Nick before he wrote the letter to Gybe.   Nick’s
arguments against the changes comes from a 75 kilo man with many years
Laser racing experience up to World championship level.  I regret that he
does see the broader picture and seems to mistrust the World Council’s
motives.  

The Laser class World Council is a group of mainly active Laser sailors
elected by National Officers and sailors to represent the class at
international level.  They have regular contact with Laser sailors at all
levels.  They are answerable to the sailors for their actions and try to
represent the wishes of sailors.  On major items and rule changes the
membership have a direct say by individual vote.

The last set of rule changes that were voted on received only 400 odd
replies.  A poor show considering we have nearly 17000 members world wide.
Such a poor return raises questions about whether the voting system is the
right one for the class and whether rule changes submitted for voting could
be lost due to one country dominating the voting.   Maybe that is as good
as democracy gets.  The proposed new voting procedure was nothing more than
an attempt to streamline the system.  Yes the proposed new system would
have meant that there would have needed to be a massive no vote to defeat a
proposed rule change but all that is now irrelevant as the Council have
decided not pursue a change. 

Looking now at the proposed equipment changes let me clarify a few things;

1.  The rule changes came from suggestions from members who responded to a
questionnaire in LaserWorld a year ago.

2.   It is NOT a perception that less strong and less heavy sailors find it
difficult to adjust the controls IT IS FACT.   We have seen it and the
lighter sailors tell us the same.  Top strong sailors are pulling the
cunningham eye so that it touches the boom.   Most of us need to put a foot
on the front edge of the cockpit and brace our whole body to get anywhere
near that even with two thimbles and an eight to one purchase.  Then we
cannot get the damn thing off.  What sort of impression does that give to
the club sailor trying out the boat?   Sailing is meant to be enjoyable.
We might be able to get the kicking strap on hard if we can balance the
boat upwind and get the mainsheet tight enough (even with Nick’s extra
thimble) but miss releasing it in the traffic just before the windward mark
and you are stuck for getting it off after you turn the corner with at best
a dead boat and more likely a swim and a bent mast.

3.   The rule changes are not being made as a concession to retain Olympic
status.  Olympic sailors can handle the existing controls but who cares -
there are only a few hundred of them in the world.    Ben Ainslie only uses
a 4 to 1 purchase on his cunningham.   Unfortunately the majority of us do
not spend many hours a week on the water and in the gym practising.   It is
true to say that the lighter build sailors from Asia might have a better
chance of getting the same sail control as Ben but it will not make them
faster than Ben.

4.  Carbon masts have been tested using a standard rig as part of an
ongoing evaluation process and as an easy way to test the carbon/glass
technology.   We know more about  the bend characteristics and feel of
Standard rigs than we do about Radial Rigs.  Some members would like to see
a carbon mast option for the Laser standard to eliminate bending and
breakages with aluminium masts but this is a long way off and not a reason
to lose the benefit of this new technology for the Laser Radial.

5.  The idea that carbon Laser Radial masts will be confused with the few
black anodised top mast in circulation is laughable and assumes that we are
all cheats.   You do not need to be a rocket scientist to tell the
difference between black anodised aluminium and carbon.  If Nick is correct
in his assumption that some will try to use carbon masts in place of
aluminium in the standard rig that is a sad reflection on his fellow
racers.  It would also mean that sailors are swapping aluminium masts and
sails in a series of races which is an equally cheating.

6.  Nick correctly states that the proposed changes WILL NOT MAKE YOUR BOAT
GO FASTER THROUGH THE WATER however his performance comparisons are
misplaced.   Being able to adjust controls more easily will not get you
round the course  unless you make less mistakes than another sailor.   You
will not be able to beat Ben Ainslie by adding a few blocks but you might
make less mistakes than a comparable ability sailor who losses boat lengths
every time he/she wrestles with the controls.

7.  The proposals to allow blocks and cleats are not mandatory.   If you
want to add extra thimbles, if that it sufficient for your ability, then
you will be allowed to do so.  The set-ups illustrated in LaserWorld are
just one example that will make the Laser controls easier to adjust and
make the boat more comparable to the majority of other modern sailing
dinghies.

Our class is a peoples class for all ages and many sizes.   Olympic status
has many benefits but a negative factor is that the top sailors have moved
a long way ahead of  the standard we used to enjoy prior to becoming an
Olympic class.   The proposed changes will help the majority to get a bit
nearer to achieving the sail control that Olympic sailors can achieve and
who do not fit into the Olympic mould or have the time for hours of
training.   For Radial sailors the mast changes will allow the original
target weight of Radial sailors (60 to 65 kg) to be more competitive with
the 70 to 75 kg sailors that are currently dominating the class.   They
still will not beat the heavy guys in a blow but those that I have talked
to look forward to more even racing where at least they feel they will have
a chance of getting a result.

Jeff Martin
Executive Secretary
International Laser Class.




International Laser Class Association
Email: ilca@easynet.co.uk
Web site: http://www.laserinternational.org

Public Replies: laser@laser.org
To Unsubscribe: majordomo@laser.org
Questions: will@laser.org