Ovington Laser

I moved some of my posts from the RRS 78 topic as they seem to sit better here...

Originally posted by Late starter I wonder who's really behind this, and is thelaserclass.com more than a website designed to sow confusion and generate a view that says ICLA/Laser, what's the difference ?   I'm not usually a conspiracy theorist but I wonder if LPE are behind this as it feels like classic confusion marketing and LPE would gain more than most from it.

TLC appear to be supported financially or at least given administrative support by LP Llc or a related company. I think someone spotted their domain registration matched a LP one.

Heini Wellman has not to my knowledge held a position within World Sailing, but he is the most recent past president of ILCA. He's certainly worked long and hard for the Laser class in the past as well as winning a masters Worlds. He's one of a number of EurILCA officers who were very unhappy about ditching Laser Performance.

It is, I imagine, almost inevitable that senior class officers would have a good relationship with their local builders, but the claim is that LP had not served the americas well, so they were left only having friends in Europe. The UKLA seems to have steered clear of the politics and concentrated on doing the day to day work.

One should note, with TLC membership, that it's free, and there were some interesting to Laser sailors videos posted which required people to sign up.

Originally posted by A2Z Originally posted by JimC Originally posted by A2Z .  So which one is the real Laser class? The one registered with World Sailing. Why?  For sure it’s a real class, it is the real ILCA class.  But not the only real Laser class. TLC is just as much a real class for a type of boat known as Laser.  Which isn’t to say I think it (TLC) has a great future, but it is a legitimate (Laser) class.

I can start a Laser class too, but I wouldn't say that makes it legitimate. As (then) recent past president of the UK Cherub class maybe I should have started a new CA when the majority of the committee and the class membership decided to make some rule changes I didn't like.

TLCs builder isn't allowed to sell boats with the Laser sail logo or branding in a significant chunk of the world either. All parties have sure created chaos between them.

Edited by JimC - 10 Oct 20 at 1:47pm

Maybe "no further sacrifice of quality"?

www.thelaserclass.com

Surely 95% of the LP boats will go to schools and holiday venues so it won't be a problem for 2-3 years when they get replaced?

And by then there will be a different boat in the Olympic slot and many of the fast guys will be swapping classes anyway.

And I didn't mention the A word!

Originally posted by 423zero LP are actually advertising on UKLA website