ILCA (“Laser”)
The ILCA is the Olympic single-handed class for both men and women. It is the biggest and most active dinghy class in the UK with an extensive open training programme and competition at the highest level. That is reflected at Frensham where it is the largest of the racing fleets so you can be guaranteed good competition whatever your skills and experience. Within our fleet that ranges from those taking their first steps in racing through to sailors competing internationally. Most of us are somewhere in-between; some just quietly potter about for fun; everyone is welcome!
Everybody knows the Laser! Now known as the ILCA* dinghy, it was originally designed by Bruce Kirby in 1971 as a low cost, low maintenance beach boat. The ILCA is incredibly simple and with over 220,000 boats registered world-wide it is by far the largest of all the dinghy classes. They are a one-design dinghy still true to the original design, meaning old boats can still compete at Club level, but additional rigs have been introduced to cater for a wider range of crew weights and the sail controls have been improved. A lot!
Entry level boats are relatively cheap but it is essential to fit-out with the latest sail controls and you’ll need something newer to compete nationally.
ILCAs have three rig sizes - you change the sail and the lower mast section but everything else stays the same. So a boat with all three rigs gives lots of options for a family and weather codnitions.
ILCA 4 with a 4.7 square metre sail (“Laser 4.7”) suitable for lightweight sailors 45 - 65 Kg
ILCA 6 with a 5.7 square metre sail (“Laser Radial”) suitable for crew weights 55 - 75 Kg. Women’s Olympic class.
ILCA 7 with a 7 square metre sail (“Laser Standard”) suitable for crew weights 75 - 95 Kg. Men’s Olympic class.
There are no age or gender restrictions for competing with any of the rigs although at national events there may be specific prizes based on age/gender. At international events ILCA 6s are usually split by gender. There are also specific Youth and Masters events (and in the ILCA world “Masters” start at the age of 35!)
At Frensham we allow sailors to 'change down' to a smaller rig in high winds in normal class racing – but they have to compete with their “normal” bigger rig handicap. The intention is to keep people sailing!
Read Clive's tips on sailing an ILCA in our Hints and Tips
Laser Forum website: www.laserforum.org
*ILCA - International Laser Class Association Dinghy
Club Boat Hire
The Club has three ILCAs with 4, 6 & 7 rigs which can be hired for weekly training, club racing or events. To find out more about booking a club boat click here.
Results
Results for the current series are available in the ILCA Results section. Previous results can be found in the Club Archive.
Class Captain: Ann Brand
E-mail: laser@sailfrensham.org.uk
Class Asscociations
UK Laser Class Association https://ilca.uk
European Class Association https://eurilca.org
International Laser Class Association https://www.laserinternational.org