The Queensland Laser Association Inc. is the organising body for Laser, Laser Radial and Laser 4.7 sailors in the state of Queensland, Australia. Based in Brisbane, the association represents the interests of members from all over the state and is the local representative of the International Laser Class Association (ILCA). The association organises regattas, annual championships, distributes news and information regarding the Laser and organises training for its members among other functions.

Notice of General Meeting
Queensland Laser Association Inc.

To: All Members, you are advised that a General Meeting of the Queensland Laser Association Inc. will be held at:

Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron
578 Royal Esplanade
Manly Qld. 4179
Time and Date of Meeting: 3rd April 2010 6pm

Please note: that this time may change depending on sailing conditions on the day.

2011 Nationals Web Sites Now Active

Click here for the 2011 Laser Nationals web site.

Click here for the 2011 Laser Masters Nationals web site.

ATTENTION ALL QLA MEMBERS

QLA in partnership with Yachting Queensland and Yachting Australia are having a Laser Radial Training Camp from the 13^th – 18^th of April, RQYS.

There will be Australia’s best Laser Radial Sailors up from the south taking part. The Program will involve two of Australia’s best coaches Adrian Finglas and Mike Fletcher.

Register by email with the QLA Sectary to debbie@stoddartelectrical.com.au of your intention to attend. Cost $20.00.  If you need to book accommodation at Yachting Queensland be early, contact Kay at Yachting Queensland.

2010 QLD Laser Championships

RQYS: 3-5 April

Notice of Race »

Online Entry & Payment – Youths/Juniors »

Online Entry & Payment – Opens »

New Life Jacket Standards - FAQ

For more information click here.

TRAINING - PRE STATES

Laser Training – Pre Laser States
April 1st & 2nd
Cost - $40 attending both days. $30.00 for one day only.
All rigs welcome – all QLA Members welcome.
Further information – Ken Hurling – QLA Training Co-ordinator
All attendees must register prior via email to kenhurling@hotmail.com

IC279 - ILCA World Council
5th January 2010

Dear Laser Colleagues,

We would like to inform all Laser sailors that a few important changes have happened during the last few weeks, that affect the structure and composition of the World Council:

At the European Annual General Meeting (EAGM) held at the end of November Calle Lindfors from Finland was elected as the new European Regional Chairman and joins the World Council with immediate effect.

The World Council has also recently voted to revert to the composition as defined in the Laser Constitution.

These changes mean that the World Council is now composed as follows:

Heini Wellmann, SUI, President
Hugh Leicester, AUS, Asian Pacific Regional Chairman and Vice President
Jeff Martin, GBR, Executive Secretary of ILCA
Ian Lineberger, USA, Immediate past President
Carlos Fanucchi, BRA, Central and South American Regional Chairman
Calle Lindfors, FIN, European Regional Chairman
Tracy Usher, USA, North American Regional Chairman
Bill Crane, USA, Laser Performance, Advisory Council
Chris Spencer, AUS, Performance Sailcraft Australia, Advisory Council

We would like to thank the previous officers for all their work and the many contributions made during their stay in the World Council:

Jean-Luc Michon who was a World Council member for 16 years,
Bob Blakey who was a World Council member for 5 years,
Ahmet Ediboglu who was a World Council member for 5 years and
Eric Faust who was a World Council member for 4 years.

We are also pleased to advise that Jean-Luc Michon has agreed to continue as the Chief Measurer of the class.

We take this opportunity to wish you and your family seasonal greetings and a peaceful, healthy and happy 2010.

Heini Wellmann
President ILCA

Jeff Martin
Executive Secretary ILCA

IC278: 2010 World Laser Radial, Laser Standard & Laser Masters Championships - Application Deadline 5th January 2010

22nd December 2009

There are now only 2 weeks left to make applications for the 2010 World Laser Radial, Laser Standard and Laser Masters Championships.

Please can all National Associations ask any of their sailors who may be interested in attending any of these championships to complete the relevant application form on the ILCA website urgently.  If possible, please publish this information on your website and send an email to any sailors from your country that meet the age criteria for each championship.

Sailors who do not apply by 5th January 2010 have very little chance of attending these championships, except if the district requests a late ranking date and reserves the necessary places and/or requests extra places.

The deadline for receiving applications for entry is 5th January 2010.

Special Resolutions 2009/10 AGM

For more information about the NSW & ACT District Laser AssociationSpecial Resolutions for Annual General Meeting please click on the following link http://lasersdownunder.com/special-resolutions-200910-agm

Brad Taylor reports on the NSW Masters

RQYS master laser sailors Geoff Kirk, Alan Moffat and Brad Taylor travelled down to Forster for the 2009 NSW masters championships. Forster is just north of Port Stephens and has a very large salt water lake approximately 1 km inland from the surf beach. Overall there were around 100 lasers sailing in different age groups and rig configurations (standard and radial). The lake provided very close racing as the breeze was light and steady and there were no waves to contend with. There were many black flag starts which resulted in an unusually large amount of disqualifications in all races. It seemed that the majority of older NSW sailors were very twitchy at the starts. The Queenslanders took a couple of races to settle into the aggressiveness at the short starting lines.

Overall Brad Taylor won the Masters division from Victorian sailor Steve Gunther. In the apprentice division Alan Moffat finished 5^th with Geoff Kirk 7^th.

World Apprentice champion and professional sailor Brett Beyer dominated all races with the exception of a black flag disqualification. Mark Bethwaite cleaned up the Grand MASTERS. Most sailors were able to camp in good conditions at the sailing club and enjoyed a BBQ and a few drinks on Saturday night. The next NSW MASTERS event will be held in conjunction with the Australian Masters Championship in February 2011.

http://www.laser.asn.au/newsreport2.htm

http://www.laser.asn.au/regattas/results/09statemasters/Std_M.HTML

http://www.laser.asn.au/regattas/results/09statemasters/Std_App.HTML

Australian Sailing Team Program Presentation

A short note and offer - if you are in the vicinity of RQYS this Saturday 28th November at 5:30pm in the Olympic Room.

Mr Peter Conde High Performance Director of the Australian Sailing Team will be presenting to all present the Australian Sailing Team Program and the way forward to London and Beyond.

Mooloolaba Offshore series

Dates: 21 November - 5th December
6 Feb - 20 Feb - 6 Mar - 20 Mar

Format: 11.30 start
6 races
- 4 short courses of 10 to 12 minutes
- 2 long courses of 30 to 40 minutes

Race Officer: Warren Myles (Etchells)

Contact: John Pearce 0404 03 1789

Rigging Location: Off Mooloolaba Beach at the end of Parkyn Pde
or
Mooloolaba marina

Briefing: Pilot Station road Park at the end of Parkyn Pde, Moooloolaba

Regatta cost: $5.00 must hold a silver card

IC277 - December LaserWorld Now Available to Download and View Online

18th November 2009

The December 2009 edition of LaserWorld is now available for all Sailors and National Associations to download and view online.

You can view the LaserWorld web page at:
http://www.laserinternational.org/info/laserworld

Hard copies of the December issue of LaserWorld are due to be dispatched by the end of November 2009.  If you wish to change the way you receive LaserWorld or have any other questions please contact the ILCA office.

YQ Training Courses

Positions are still available in the following courses. Places are running out fast though. Please contact Ben at Yachting Queensland to secure your position to up skill and gain further qualifications.

YA Safety Boat Course – 21^st – 22^nd November. This course is designed to inform people on how to correctly handle and manoeuvre a safety or coach boat. The course is  strongly recommended for race committee members, safety boat drivers, coaches and instructors and any interested parties. The Safety Boat Certificate is a pre-requisite for the YA Instructors Qualification.

YA Race Officer Seminar – 5^th – 6^th December. This seminar provides you with all the current information required to gain a Race Officer Qualification under the new YA National Officiating Program. The course is recommended for all interested race officers, course layers, safety boat drivers, starters and finishers. The course is also very useful for sailors wanting to gain an understanding on what and how the race officers are doing and for protest committee members.

YA Instructors Course – 12^th – 13^th December. This course is for all interested Sailing Instructors and Coaches. The course will provide you with all the theory component knowledge and prepare you for your practical assessment. The course is recommended for all interested coaches and instructors who volunteer/work at clubs, parents who want to help their children, sailors who want to get involved in returning to the sport or just to help their own sailing and people interested in working as a sailing coach.

For more information please read and distribute the attached posters, look on our website www.qldyachting.org.au or feel free to call me.

GGM’s Sailing Standard Rigs

Hi to all District Secretaries,

It would be much appreciated if you would forward this email to all Grand & Great Grand Masters in your district.;-

BACKGROUND

At the recent AGM of the NZ Laser Assn, it was decided to conduct a survey among Grand & Great Grand Masters throughout Australia & New Zealand, for the purpose of determining whether to submit a formal remit to the next meeting of the World Council.

REASON

For many years all Laser sailors over 65 years have had to compete in the radial rig at world and regional championships irrespective of their body weight.

This has meant that many heavier GGMs have become uncompetitive, disillusioned, and some have given up Lasers altogether. Some have taken the option of sailing “down” a division among the much younger Grand Masters, where they are again uncompetitive. Their chances of ever winning a cube again are gone, unless there is a championship in a wind range where racing is likely to be cancelled.

Over the years the matter has been brought up at the World Council on behalf of several competitors requesting a vote on the establishment of a division for Standard rig GGMs, or at least, a GGM division within the GM division if there are 5 or more GGMs. The remits have never been accepted, as the majority of the World Council did not want to encourage GGMs in Standard rigs because of safety issues.

Many of the heavier GGMs consider this is unfair and discriminatory. Adults who have been around 90kg all their lives don’t suddenly lose 10 - 20 kg when they turn 65. Older people are healthier and living longer now than in the past.

WHAT WE”D LIKE YOU TO DO

Please take a moment to email me at bobblakey@ihug.co.nz and answer “yes” or “no” to the following question:-

“Do you think that Great Grand Masters racing in standard rigs in the Grand Masters Division should qualify for awards and trophies if there are sufficient entries, as prescribed in ILCA By-Law 5 para 3 ?”

Please note that this survey does not intend to undermine the existing GGM radial fleet. It is being conducted purely to attempt to give senior sailors a democratic choice.

Thanks for your interest,

Bob Blakey,

Vice Chairman, Asia Pacific Region.

Boat Transport to Nationals

Looking to get your boat to the Downunder Series and Laser Nationals / Youth Nationals this year?

There is one spot left. For further information and cost please contact either The Stoddart Family – office@stoddartelectrical.com.au or Ken Hurling – kenhurling@hotmail.com

Entries now open for the 2010 Australian Laser Championships

The Adelaide Sailing Club and the South Australian Laser Association is pleased to announce the opening of entries for the 2010 Australian Laser Championships, to be held at the Adelaide Sailing Club from the 27th December 2009 to the 4th January 2010.

Entry is via our online system only and can be found by clicking the link HERE.

The NOR is also available via the event website by clicking HERE.

The South Australian Laser Association is looking forward to seeing you all in Adelaide for this exciting event. Anticipation has been growing and we expect to see large numbers making the long trip across to Adelaide to sail on the beautiful warm waters of St Vincent’s Gulf. The Adelaide Sailing Club is perfectly set-up for such an event. The large rigging area in immediately adjacent to the water, the start line is only 5 minutes from the beach, and there will be a race committee second to none. Kevin Wilson will be the over-seeing Race Officer for the event, with the racing being conducted on the water by Malcolm Hughes and Ross Wilson, who have an extensive record of conducting major World and National Titles.

With demand for entry expected to be high, get in early to beat the deadline for entries which is 1700hrs on 1st December 2009.

Entries now open For 2010 Masters Worlds

Entry applications have opened for next year’s Masters Worlds – see http://events.laserinternational.org/en/events/overview/100z51 for details.

IC275 - 2010 World Laser Radial, Laser Standard & Laser Masters Championships now open

5th November 2009

ILCA has now published the Allocation numbers, opened the Application Lists and published the Notices of Race and Application Forms for the 2010 Laser World Championships listed below. Each event site also has a link to the venue website, where you will find detailed information about transport to the venue, accommodation at the venue, historical weather reports and other useful information for all competitors.

Sailors who may be interested in attending any of these championships must complete the relevant online application form and pay the £20 GBP application fee through the ILCA website. For further information about the changes made to the application process, please see International Circular IC271 - Change to ILCA Entry System for ILCA World Championships, which was circulated on 1st September 2009.

The deadline for receiving applications for entry is 5th January 2010.

Sailors who do not complete an application form and pay the application fee, will not be able to attend the championship.

2010 World Laser Radial Women’s Championship
Tuesday 6th July - Wednesday 14th July 2010
UK, Largs

2010 World Laser Radial Men’s Championship
Tuesday 6th July - Wednesday 14th July 2010
UK, Largs

2010 World Laser Radial Youth Championship
Saturday 17th July - Sunday 25th July 2010
UK, Largs

2010 World Laser Standard Senior Championship
Friday 27th August - Sunday 5th September 2010
UK, Hayling Island

2010 World Laser Standard Junior Championship
Friday 27th August - Sunday 5th September 2010
UK, Hayling Island

2010 World Laser Masters Championship
Friday 10th September - Saturday 19th September 2010
UK, Hayling Island

Please select the links above to access information about each championship.

Information about the 2010 World Laser 4.7 Youth Championship was circulated in International Circular IC269 - World Laser 4.7 Youth Championship 2010 Allocations Announced, on 26th August 2009. You can find more information about this event on our website at: http://events.laserinternational.org/en/events/overview/100z52.

2010 QLD Laser Championships

3rd-5th April 2010
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

Perth 2001 ISAF Sailing World Championships

To keep up to date with the latest Perth 2011 news, please visit
www.perth2011.com

IC274 - 2013 World Championships Bid Deadline - 1st December 2009

3rd November 2009

The deadline for bids for the 2013 World Championships is Tuesday 1st December.

Clubs interested in hosting a Laser World championship in 2013 should make an expression of interest to ILCA as soon as possible.

The bid groupings are as follows:

Grouping 1: Laser Standard Senior & Laser Masters
Preferred Region: Asia
Preferred Time: Dependent on weather

Grouping 2: Laser Standard Juniors & Laser 4.7 Youth
Preferred Region: Europe
Preferred Time: July / August

Grouping 3: Laser Radial Men, Women & Youth
Preferred Region: North America
Preferred Time: July / August

Applications for bids for the 2013 World Championships must be received by 1st December 2009.

The bidding and approval process will be:

1. Bid documents are published on the ILCA web site. These all follow a common format and will not change from year to year except when policy or operational changes are considered necessary.
2. Preferred continents and dates are announced together with bid closing dates.
3. Host clubs are requested to advise the ILCA Office that they are preparing a bid at the earliest opportunity before they make a formal bid.
4. Potential host clubs are requested to work in conjunction with their national Laser class association. All bids received will be sent to the national class association for comment.
5. Following the bid closing dates ILCA will review all bids and follow up with questions and a site visit if necessary. During this process the builders will be consulted on the supply of charter boats.
6. A list of recommended host clubs will be approved by the World Council.
7. A site visit will be made following World Council approval.
8. The host club will be invited to sign a contract for the hosting of events.

Full information is available on the ILCA web site:
http://events.laserinternational.org/en/championship/bids

If you would like to discuss what is involved, have some initial questions before submitting a bid or would like to discuss the requirements further, please do not hesitate to contact ILCA by emailing office@laserinternational.org or by telephoning +44 1326 315064.

Charter Boats Needed for Sail Brisbane

If anyone wants to charter their boat for Sail Brisbane, please contact Greg Kemp on 0400 721 103.

2009-2010 Metropolitan Traveler Series

Notice of Race now available - See the Events page

Future of Australian Olympic sailing bright with establishment of National Dinghy Training Centre

For more information click here.

CORRECTION: World Laser 4.7 Youth Championship 2010 - Application Deadline 13th October

06th October 2009

The reminder sent 24th September 2009 regarding the application deadline for the World Laser 4.7 Youth Championship wrongly stated the championship year as 2009, instead of 2010.

The deadline for making applications to the World Laser 4.7 Youth Championship 2010 is now only 1 week away.

Sailors wishing to attend the championship must apply by Tuesday 13th October 2009.

Sailors who do not apply by 13th October 2009 have very little chance of attending the championship.

Please can you email this information to all Laser 4.7 sailors in your District, post it on your website and publicise the deadline by any means possible.

For more information about the World Laser 4.7 Youth Championship 2010, please see IC269 below which was sent 26th August 2009.

QLA Update

Dear Members,

Please find attached a couple of updates for your information. Please remember to keep an eye on the QLA website for updates and news.

Please note that on the 7^th of November the first of the Metropolitan Traveller Series will be held at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. This will be followed by our AGM at 6pm, all members are welcome to attend. The remainder of the Traveller Series will be held at Brisbane Sailing Squadron and then the final day at Humpybong Yacht Club. Further details on the QLA website. NOR out shortly,

Finally just a reminder that all QLA memberships became due on the 1^st of July – thank you to all of those that have renewed their memberships already. For anyone wanting to renew their membership, this form can be located on the QLA website. Please remember that to compete in any QLA event or if you intend to go to Nationals etc this is a requirement.

Yachting Queensland Courses

Yachting Queensland would like to inform all members that the following courses are scheduled:

-Yachting Australia Safety Boat Course 21^st - 22^nd November
- Yachting Australian Race Officers Seminar 21^st – 22^nd November OR 5^th – 6^th December (Dates will be confirmed ASAP)

For these course to go ahead and for YQ to organise the event efficiently we ask that all interested parties register with YQ as soon as possible.

If you have any questions or require more information please contact me.

Ben Callard

Training Officer
Yachting Queensland
Postal: PO Box 5426 Manly Q 4179
578 Royal Esplanade Manly Q 4179

P- 07 3393 6788 F- 073393 6799
E- ben@qldyachting.org.au
W- www.qldyachting.org.au

Metropolitan Traveler Series

The QLA metropolitan series for 4.7,radials and standard rigs will be run over the following dates and venues.
The races will be in conjunction with normal club races and the competitors pay casual sign on / entries to each club for racing. Notice of Race to follow shortly

RQYS Sat 7^th November, 2009 1330 start.
Brisbane Sailing Squadron Sat 13^th Feb 2010.
Humpybong Sailing Club Sunday 21^st March 2010

All QLA members invited to attend. If not a member can join on the day

REMINDER: World Laser 4.7 Youth Championship 2009 - Application Deadline 13th October

24th September 2009

This is a reminder that the deadline for making applications to attend the World Laser 4.7 Youth Championship 2010 is approaching.

Sailors wishing to attend the championship must apply by 13th October 2009.

Sailors who do not apply by 13th October 2009 have very little chance of attending the championship.

Please can you email this information to all Laser 4.7 sailors in your District, post it on your website and publicise the deadline by any means possible.

For more information about the World Laser 4.7 Youth Championship 2010, please see IC269 below which was sent 26th August 2009.

IC269 - World Laser 4.7 Youth Championship 2010 Allocations Announced

26th August 2009

World Youth Laser 4.7 Championship 2010
Wednesday 31st March - Tuesday 8th April 2010
THAILAND, Pattaya
Entry Fee £150 (GBP)

The allocated places for the World Laser 4.7 Youth Championship 2010 are now available on the event web site at:
http://events.laserinternational.org/en/events/allocations/100z52

Allocations for this championship have been issued in three categories: Boys - Under 18; Girls - Under 18; and Under 16 Boys & Girls.

The Notice of Race for this championship has also been published on the event website:
http://events.laserinternational.org/incs/cnst/wrtbl/sites/52/NoticeOfRace.pdf

The World Youth Laser 4.7 Championship 2010 is an allocated event available to entrants who will be 12 years old but not 18 years old in 2010. To enter sailors must first complete an application for entry. Applications for entry will be accepted from 2nd September 2009 until 23:59 GMT, 13th October 2009 with payment of the £20 (GBP) application fee which may be deducted from the entry fee or will be refunded under certain circumstances as detailed in 3.10 of the Notice of Race.

National Laser Associations must rank their sailors after 13th October 2009. All sailors who are ranked within the country allocation limit will receive a place offer with charter boat, except for sailors from Thailand who will not receive a charter boat with their place offer. Applications ranked lower than the country allocation limit will be added to the waiting list.

Extra places will be offered to sailors on the waiting list as available from the 8th December 2009. The applicants offered a place will have 2 weeks to complete entry. If the sailor fails to enter, the application fee will be lost and the place will be offered to the next ranked sailor. Each country has a maximum limit of extra places available. Once this limit has been reached, no more extra places can be offered to sailors from that country.

The application and entry timeline is as follows:
Application for Entry period: 2 September - 13 October
Applications replied to by: 3 November
Extra Places Issued from: 8 December - 4 February

Charter boats at this event cost £450 (GBP) plus a refundable £150 (GBP) damage deposit and are available from 31st March. Competitors must provide their own ropes, boom vang, mainsheet block, traveller blocks, tiller and tiller extension, sail and battens.

Three pre-charter options are available: seven days starting 24th March 2010 costing £150 (GBP), five days starting 26th March 2010 costing £110 (GBP) and three days starting 28th March 2010 costing £65 (GBP). Pre-charters should be booked when completing entry by emailing office@laserinternational.org

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