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Chairmans Report - 2019 NZ Laser Association AGM

Tue 22 Oct 2019 2:31pm
Yes, 2019 has again been a good year for Laser in NZ with good turnouts nationally at regattas, particularly in the Youth fleet, and success on the international stage for our Olympic sailors. 
 
The core of the success of the class however remains attracting and retaining new sailors at all levels. It has been pleasing to see strong club fleets in many regions but it remains a challenge for the class to retain numbers as longstanding members of the masters fleet become less active and youth sailors move on to new challenges if they are not looking at Olympic campaigns.
 
After a very challenging couple of years for the class, the Laser and the Laser Radial have been confirmed by World Sailing as the single handed classes for men and women for the 2024 Olympics. I believe this is great news for the class and its future. Part of World Sailing’s requirements for Olympic selection was that the class adopt a policy to allow new manufacturers to enter the Laser market. The class has agreed to this and is just commencing the appointment process. In NZ we do not expect any rapid change to the market for boats and equipment but in the medium term we hope that the scope of the class will expand and that this will lead to more competitive pricing for boats and equipment in the future.
 
Congratulations to George Gautrey and Sam Meech, whos results on the world stage this year have continued to demonstrate the strength of our Men’s Laser squad and the talent of our sailors. Of particularly note are George’s podium finish in the worlds in Japan and Sam’s consistency and No1 World Ranking. Our women sailors have also competed internationally and have been successful in qualifying NZ for an Olympic spot in 2024 if they are able to meet the NZ Olympic committee selection criteria.
 
Congratulations also to Dave Ridley and Scott Leith for their recent victories in the World Masters in Holland. There were also many other solid performances from our top Youth, Open and Masters sailors at international regattas.
 
The Nationals at Manly was again a success, with good numbers in the Masters and Youths. It was extremely well run by Manly and the fleet again enjoyed a great variety of conditions. We trust that this years nationals in New Plymouth will be well supported and we look forward to some awesome sailing at this iconic venue.
 
Our grants and coaching initiatives have continued and NZLA will continue to encourage and sponsor coaching this season for any club or group of Laser sailors.  I think this is a great opportunity for clubs and would encourage any club to get in touch to see how we can assist.
 
Financially we again had a satisfactory year and the Association remains in good financial health. We again had a small loss but this was within the committees comfort zone, given the cash resources of the Association. We are however continuing to look at options for a fundraising initiative to bolster the Associations coffers and ensure its ongoing financial health.
 
Internationally ILCA continues to try and work with the manufacturers on the ongoing equipment issues. We understand that approval of the carbon alternative for the Radial bottom section imminent. Unfortunately the issues with the European Laser manufacturers have continued, but with the introduction of the WS FRAND policy this year we are hopeful that these too are nearing resolution. 
 
Thanks again to Karen who has continued to do a great job as our secretary and to all our committee for their input this year. 
 
If anyone would like to join the committee or propose or discuss any Laser issue you are always welcome to contact me or any member of the committee via the NZLA website e mail contacts
 
Thanks 
Nick Page 
Chairman NZLA
 

2019 South Island Laser Champs

Thu 17 Oct 2019 11:26am
  • 30th Nov & 1st Dec 2019
  • Vaxhaull Yacht CLub, Dunedin
  • NOR
  • Entry

 

2019 Laser North Island Champs

Thu 17 Oct 2019 11:15am

The 2019 Laser North Island Champs will once again be held as part of Napier Sailing Clubs summer regatta. Why mess with a winning formula.

Royal Akarana Laser Twilight Series

Tue 24 Sep 2019 6:24pm

The second season of the Akarana Thursday night Laser Twilight series is about to kick off

  • Thursday nights
  • starts Thursday 3rd October 2019.
  • 5:15pm briefing
  • 6pm first race
  • more details and dates at rayc.co.nz/lasers/

2 NZ Champions - Laser Masters Worlds 2019

Sun 15 Sep 2019 7:46pm

Great effort by NZ sailors at the 2019 Laser Master Worlds at Port Zelande, Netherlands.

With Dave Ridley winning the Standard Apprentice Masters only securing the win on the last day after and epic battle with Eduardo Van Vianan (NED) and Jared West (ESP).

And Scott Leith won yet again in the Radial Masters, holding the lead from the 2nd day of the regatta to beat Anders Mattsson (SWE) and Ledet Jean-Christophe (FRA).

Rounding put the NZ tean were Andrew Dellabarca, Cris Brodie and Luuk Van Basten Battenburg now living and sailing for the Netherlands.

It was a tricky regatta with big wind shifts in some races, catching out even some of the big names.


2020 NZ National Laser Champs - New Plymouth

Sun 18 Aug 2019 3:08pm

Back to New Plymouth for our national champs. The NPYC runs great regattas, and the sailing there can be fantastic. We have had memorable years with spectacular downwind sailing.


We will have more info here as we get closer to January.

Don't miss it.

Applications for entry for the 2020 Standard & Radial Laser World Championships

Fri 16 Aug 2019 3:22pm
Dear Laser Class District Representative,
 
Please inform your sailors of the following important information for submitting applications to compete in several 2020 ILCA World Championships. 
 
Applications for entry for the following Laser World Championships will be accepted beginning Tuesday, 20 August 2019:
  • 2020 ILCA Laser Standard Men's World Championship
  • 2020 ILCA Laser Radial Women's World Championship
  • 2020 ILCA Laser Radial Men's World Championship
Detailed information about each of the Championships is available through the ILCA Laser World Championships events page: 
 

If possible, please publish the information below on your district website and send an email to any sailors from your country who would be interested and eligible to compete in either of these Championships. For your convenience, you may cut and paste the information below the red line into an email for your members.


Thank you for your help in spreading the word about these events.


Best regards,

The ILCA Team

____________________________________________

 

Dear District Members,

 

Applications for entry for the following World Championships will be accepted beginning Tuesday, 20 August 2019:
 
 
 
 

For all three Championships, the deadline for receiving PAID applications is 1 October 2019 at 23:59 Central US Time.

 
If you would like to compete in one of these Championships, you are encouraged to complete an entry application as soon as possible after it becomes available. Please be aware that if you do not apply by the application deadline, you may have little chance of receiving an entry offer.
 

Information about all ILCA Laser World Championships and access to applications is available through the ILCA events page

   https://sailing.laserinternational.org/

 
 
Best regards,
The ILCA Team
 

Georg Cautrey's Bronze at the 2019 Laser World Champs

Tue 16 Jul 2019 7:48pm


Photo: Junichi Hirai / Bulkhead Magazine

Read more at YNZ about George Cautrey's fabulous podium finish at the 2019 Laser World Champs. Including a knee dislocation!

https://www.yachtingnz.org.nz/news/gautrey-snares-bronze-laser-world-champs

The event was at Miho Bay, Sakaiminato, Japan and George in 3rd was followed by Sam Meech in 4th and a 10th for Thomas Saunders.
Aussies Tom Burton & Matt Wern were 1st an 2nd.

All results at
https://2019worlds.laserjapan.org/standard/results/
 

NZLA Ranking Policies for 2020 World and European Champs Published

Sun 7 Jul 2019 9:18am

Ranking policies for the 2020 World and European Champs have beed added to this page
http://www.nzlaser.org/content/nzla-selection-policies-world-and-european-laser-championships

If you intend to sail at one of these regattas, please check the relevant ranking policy carefully.
Som of the policies are different this year due to timings of some World and European regattas, the NZ ranking regattas and the Olympic cycle - some of the policies are different this year.
If you have any questions please email Nick Page as early as possible to avoid suprises.

A perspective on the Lasers Olympic Status and Builder Engagement from the ILCA

Mon 10 Jun 2019 5:26pm

Click for a letter sent by ILCA chariman Tracy Usher which summarises the ILCA's perspective of the requirements for the Laser to retain Olympic class status and new requirements they feel are required of the Laser Builders. In part the letter addresses comments made in letter from the French Laser Assoication - which is also attached.

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