International Laser Class

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The Laser dinghy

The Laser is by far the most popular and numerous single-handed boat in the world. At 4.23 metres (13 feet 10 1/2 inches)  in length, with a sail area of 7.06 sq metres (76 square feet) and a weight of only 59kg (130 lbs), it is suitable for men and women to race competitively and to handle ashore. There are smaller sail versions for lighter sailors to use in stronger winds. Boats are readily available across the country at a wide range of ages and prices and the popularity of the class means that they can always be sold quickly and with very little depreciation. The class at Tamesis provides a warm welcome to new owners and coaching (if required) to ensure that they are able to become competitive as soon as possible. A busy social programme ensures that newcomers are rapidly integrated into the club.

The Laser is an Olympic singled-handed dinghy that was designed by Bruce Kirby in 1970 and first introduced in Canada in 1971. There are now more than 196,000 Lasers throughout the world. It is a strict one-design although the rules permit certain variations in the rigging of the kicker and boom outhaul, and the tiller.  The Laser Radial, which has a smaller sail area of  5.76 square metres, was chosen as the women's single-handed class for the 2008 Olympics.

There are 25 Lasers at Tamesis.  Current turnouts range from five to 10, with 16 for the annual open meeting in October 2004, 14 in 2005 and 2006, 18 in 2007, 15 in 2008 and 18 in 2009. 

"Although the wind was fairly non-existent on the first lap (which took me 30 minutes – although you could argue that’s no real indication of conditions) it picked up to be a good steady breeze for the second half with some good hiking required.

"Stewart and Steve battled it out in the early stages as Jodok lost ground early after being over the line at the start. However, Jodok did manage to haul them back and in the end won comfortably. Stewart kept up with Steve until the closing stages.

"Henry was comfortably in fourth spot, and a resurgent me made back time on Paul and may even have caught him – if there were another 2 laps to go.

"Mike and Rosalind not far behind."

Training

"We have been in contact with Ben Iliffe, an RYA development coach, and as part of the RYA Activate Your Laser programme (an initiative to support Sport England’s plans to encourage more people to get in to the sport) we will be running a couple of training days (free of charge). These will be on a couple of Saturdays and will involve on-shore training in the morning, i.e. ‘covers off’, with on water training in the afternoon.

"I’m talking to Ben to run by some dates to see when he’s available. Once we’ve got a list of dates I’ll send them through to see what suits the majority."

Sunday 22 January: "Race 11, Well, that was rather eventful. A very lively wind (easterly or a little northerly, take your pick), dotted with occasional holes (and underwater concrete obstacles if you’re Stewart!).

"An early lead to the downstream mark by me was soon put to an end by a capsize, with more ground lost by sitting in the eye of the storm for about 10 minutes on the ‘run’ upstream. Jodok made up for a poor start (720?) by joining the front three. That meant two races in one with Steve, Marcus, Donald and Jodok fighting it out for podium places, and the rest of us battling it out behind.

"The strength of the wind meant plenty of hiking but also took casualties. A big capsize by Rosalind on the second lap, with a centerboard that refused to stay in its slot, meant an early but valiant retirement. Peter took an even bigger capsize… on the lip, but brought it home.

"Paul, Stewart and I had a great three-way race in the middle order, with me just managing to pull ahead on the final lap.

"Up front was rather like the return of the prodigal son. Marcus, who was yet to have registered a start in this winter series, basically turned up and gave everyone a proper spanking. A quite imperious return meant Steve, Jodok and Donald had to sail this race in the shade.

"Marcus’s win gives us five different winners in the last 11 races, which just goes to show the competitiveness of the fleet.

"Well done to everyone for getting on the water for such a tiring outing."

Finishing positions: 1 Marcus Chavasse, 2 Steve Bartlett,3 Jodok Gerber, 4 Donald Forbes, 5 Kaan Yargici, 6 Stewart Colley, 7 Paul Jamieson, 8 Noah/Daniel Gerber 9 Mike Goldsmith, 10 Peter Johnson, DNF Rosalind Warwick-Haller.  

Sunday 29 January:  Race 12, "Looks like the wind, or extreme lack of, kept the numbers down today with five starters, and unsurprisingly five finishers!

"I understand the incident of the day was Stewart losing his outhaul, leaving him turning circles in the middle of the river. However, this was clearly recovered for a second place finish. Stewart may want to clarify  what exactly happened!

"Another win for Jodok means he has seven wins and a second and third. With one more race to qualify, you might want to start betting your house on him winning the series."

Finishing positions:  1 Jodok Gerber, 2 Stewart Colley, 3 Chris Starr, 4 Peter Johnson, 5 Mike Goldsmith.

Winter Series Results 2010 - 2011 

Final results of those qualifying (10 races or more) for the Winter Series..
1^st Donald Forbes 188044 (a worthy winner with 7 wins out of 10 entries)
2^nd Jodok Gerber  39245  (consistent performance with 5 wins out of 13 races)
3^rd Stewart Colley 171688 (Despite only 11 entries he always finished in the top 5)
4^th Henry Defries  178209 ( With 12 entries and one retirement but steady results in the first 6 each time)
5^th Paul Jamieson 170263  (A great start to the series with 2 firsts) 
6^th Mike Goldsmith 197213 (With a record 14 entries but only one 1^st he had equal points with Paul J)
7^th Noah Gerber 136604 (Had 11 entries and did well in his 2^nd series)
8^th Chris Starr 143516 ( Had 12 entries and was regularly in the top 6 places)

Nominated for 2011 Capsize of the Year Trophy - guess who?

Autumn Regatta 2011 - oops!  (Photo:  Carolyne Vines)

Running upstream in February 2011 (Photo:  Carolyne Vines)

Start of the Laser race on Sunday 6 February 2011 (Photo:  Hugh McLaughlin)

Tamesis Lasers celebrate the end of the 2007 summer season after a wet and windy race (Photo:  Stewart Colley)

Lasers crossing the dogleg in light winds in April 2008 (Photo:  Stewart Colley)

For more details please contact Tamesis Laser Class Captain:  Kaan Yargici (07776 306601). 

International Laser Association website:      www.laser.org.uk

Laser boats, spares and accessories:         www.lasersailing.com

Tamesis Laser points tables:             
                                                                
                                                                LASER POINTS WINTER SERIES 2010-2011

                                                                LASER WINTER HANDICAP SERIES 2010-2011
                                                   
                                                                LASER SUMMER SERIES 2011
                                                               
                                                                LASER WINTER SERIES 2011-2012

Laser Points tables maintained by Kaan Yargici

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29.01.12