Olympics 2008 Sailing : The LASER Class

15 August 2008 No Comment

Probably the world’s most loved sailboat due to it’s nimbleness while handling, and ability to speed at lightning speeds, the Laser Class of sailboats is synonymous to professional youth sailing.

The Laser is one of the most popular single-handed dinghies in the world. By 2007, the number of boats produced exceeded 190,000.

A commonly cited reason for its popularity is that it is robust and simple to rig and sail.

THE LASER CLASS

According the Laser Class Rules the boat may be sailed by either one or two people, though it is rarely sailed by two. The design, by Bruce Kirby, emphasizes simplicity and performance.

A version with a smaller sail, the Laser Radial (see below), will be the women’s Olympic-class boat this time 2008.

Laser sailing and racing presents a unique set of physical and skill based challenges. Fast Laser sailing requires an advanced level of fitness in order to endure the straight legged hiking and body-torque techniques required to get upwind and reach quickly.

Downwind sailing is unique in that Lasers can sail by the lee and reach. Fast Laser sailors switch back and forth between these two points of sail to surf and sail around waves.

LASERS – 4.7, RADIAL & STANDARD

The Laser 4.7 uses a short pre-bent lower mast to maintain a balanced helm and a sail area that is 35% smaller than the Laser Standard. It is ideal for learning to sail or for the lighter weight sailor graduating from Optimist.

The Laser Radial is the next step up. It uses a more flexible and slightly shorter lower mast together with a sail area 18% smaller than the Laser Standard. The Laser Radial has a large following with national and international regattas and World Open &Youth Championships attracting as many countries and competitors as the Laser Standard Rig. As well as a strong following amongst lighter weight sailors the Laser Radial is also used for youth, women and masters racing. Many countries now support a full Laser Radial Youth programme and in a survey of national yachting authorities conducted by the International Sailing Federation the majority replied that the Laser Radial was their preferred youth boat.

The Laser Standard can be sailed by any weight in light winds, but as the wind increases it is better suited to higher sailor weights.

…AT THE OLYMPICS 2008

The skill of the competitors in both Laser classes is simply astounding, and the conditions at Qingdao in this year’s Olympics will likely reward the quick over the fast. With a fairly goo-catching centerboard and flat bottom, the Lasers may have a tricky time with the Qingdao algae if it comes back in quantity, and it could be a major factor for the fleet. Keep a close eye on Tom Slingsby (AUS), as well as Murdoch (NZL) and Goodison (GBR) for the Laser Class, and Anna Tunnicliffe (USA), The host nation’s Lijia Xu (CHN), and Sarah Blanck (AUS) for the Laser Radial Class.

For the Laser Class Olympic Race Schedule, click here.