Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine 2019 728x90

Australian ILCA Laser Solidarity pathway program

by Mandy Thomas 3 Jun 2023 08:46 BST
Oceania and Australian ILCA Laser Championships © Jon West Photography

The Australian Laser Class Association launched its Laser dinghy Youth Solidarity program at the 2023 ILCA Laser Oceania Australian Open and Youth Championships sailed from the St Georges River Sailing Club in January.

Six teenage girls, one from each Australian state, were selected to sail their first ILCA nationals in the 55 boat Laser 4.7 division, in Lasers provided by the Victorian Laser Association. A coach and on-water and shore support was provided for the girls and their families from their pre-event arrival till the end of the Regatta. Australia's Tokyo 2020 Olympics representatives Mara Stransky and gold medallist Matt Wearn, and members of Australian Sailing's Laser squad had a mid Regatta session with the Solidarity group. They discussed the finer points of sailing a Laser and the pathways available from club sailing to State, National, International and Olympics events and training programs in the ILCA Laser class.

The feedback from the Youth Solidarity group and their parents at the ILCA Laser Nationals was very positive. Maddy English from Victoria commented that this intense experience improved her confidence sailing in larger fleets. She found herself sailing in 20+ knots on a few of the days, She said she learned how to better trim her sail and after several capsizes in choppy, blustery conditions, staying upright was a great incentive to focus attention on setting sail controls right! She said she had some amazing experiences out on the water, met some wonderful people and made some great friends.

The Laser Youth Solidarity Program was started by the Victorian Laser Association (VLA) in 2022, with rollout in other States and in the Oceania region to follow. The program is designed to help transition young sailors from junior classes to the Laser 4.7 (ILCA4) which is the youth stepping stone to the larger rig ILCA6 (Laser Radial) and ILCA7(Laser Standard). The VLA program includes training programs and regattas, the availability of a fleet of six Laser 4.7's, and assistance in boat purchase and setup.

The focus for the ILCA Laser Nationals component of the Youth Solidarity program in 2023 has been on selection and support of a group of teenage girls. The intention is to expand the offering to a group of ten teenage girls for the Nationals in Adelaide in January 2024, with six state representatives and representatives from New Zealand, and three Pacific Island Nations.

The Australian Laser Class Association has appreciated support for the Solidarity program at the 2023 nationals provided by Vaikobi who supplied Solidarity sailing jackets and tops and Performance Sailing Australia with Laser parts and on-site support.

For further information on the ILCA Laser Youth Solidarity program contact a State Laser Association or the Australian Laser Class Association.

Related Articles

ILCA Thames Valley Series Open at Fishers Green
Occasional huge shifts from south-west to north-west for the fleet to contend with Fishers Green SC held their annual Laser/ILCA open meeting on 3rd May which is part of the ILCA Thames Valley Series. Posted on 7 May
2025 ILCA 6 Women's & ILCA 7 Men's Worlds Preview
The eyes of the sailing world will turn to Qingdao, China The eyes of the sailing world will turn to Qingdao, China, from 10-17 May 2025, as the city prepares to host the 2025 ILCA 6 Women's and ILCA 7 Men's World Championships. Posted on 4 May
ILCA Eastern GP Open at Waldringfield
A fleet of 35 sailors for the opening event of the circuit A fleet of 35 sailors descended on Waldringfield on 27th April for our ILCA Open, the opening event on the new ILCA Eastern GP circuit. Posted on 2 May
Papercourt ILCA Open
Thames Valley Grand Prix event On Sunday, April 13, 2025, Papercourt Sailing Club hosted the ILCA Open Meeting at Papercourt Lake, drawing a competitive fleet of ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 sailors from across the Thames Valley region. The event was part of the Thames Valley Grand Prix series. Posted on 23 Apr
ILCA Midland Series Open at Shustoke
The forecast breeze dies away before the start On Sunday 13th April Shustoke Sailing Club hosted its 2025 ILCA Open, part of the Midland Open Series, as best witnessed from the tail end of the fleet. A good breeze was forecast with some gentle gusts. Posted on 20 Apr
Northern ILCA Grand Prix at Delph
Glorious sunshine with a strong gusty wind to welcome the 24 competitors Delph SC hosted the first event of the Northern ILCA Grand Prix circuit on Saturday 5th April. The event was bathed in glorious sunshine, with a strong gusty wind to welcome the 24 competitors. Posted on 6 Apr
22nd Budget Marine Antigua ILCA Open
17 sailors from Antigua, St Vincent and British Virgin Islands (BVI) compete Last Saturday and Sunday at Falmouth Harbour in Antigua was the 22nd Budget Marine Antigua ILCA Open. Organized by the Antigua Yacht Club, the event brought together 17 sailors from Antigua, St Vincent and British Virgin Islands (BVI). Posted on 28 Mar
2027 Performance Sailcraft ILCA Under-21 Worlds
Up to 200 sailors are expected to compete at Sandringham YC The International Laser Class Association has awarded the right to conduct the 2027 ILCA Under-21 World Championships to ILCAVic in Melbourne, Australia. Posted on 13 Mar
ILCA Women's Coaching at Queen Mary
24 benefit from event on International Women's Day The sun came out for 24 ILCA sailors on International Women's Day as the ILCA Women's Coaching Programme returned to Queen Mary on Saturday 8th March. Happily QM gave everyone complementary sunglasses to cope with the glare! Posted on 11 Mar
Entry Open for the Suzuki ILCA Masters Europeans
Suzuki joins an outstanding line-up of sponsors EurILCA, and Hayling Island Sailing Club (HISC) are thrilled to announce that Suzuki will be the title sponsor for the 2025 SUZUKI ILCA Masters European Championships, taking place at Hayling Island Sailing Club from 14th to 20th June 2025. Posted on 24 Feb