Merrily
Administrator
Laser World magazine from the ILCA has published the following on Laser Radial Upper Masts in the January 2006 edition.
"The Laser class in conjunction with the Laser Builders have been investigating and testing composite upper mast sections for the Laser Radial Rig for the past few years. The selection of the Laser Radial as the women's one person dinghy for the 2008 Olympics occurred before the programme was complete. Testing was continued throughout 2005. Any modifications to Olympic equipment need to be approved by ISAF through a submission process that starts at the end of July. Given that the next opportunity for a submission would not have been until July 2006 for decision in November 2006 (only 1.5 years before the Olympics) the World Council decided to make a submission to use composite upper masts for the Laser Radial at the Olympic Games for consideration by ISAF in November 2005.
"ISAF generally do not normally allow changes in established Olympic equipment within 3 years of the Olympic Games. They chose to remain with this policy for the Laser Radial. As a result of the ISAF decision there will be no change to the Laser Radial mast for the 2008 Olympic Games."
"The Laser class in conjunction with the Laser Builders have been investigating and testing composite upper mast sections for the Laser Radial Rig for the past few years. The selection of the Laser Radial as the women's one person dinghy for the 2008 Olympics occurred before the programme was complete. Testing was continued throughout 2005. Any modifications to Olympic equipment need to be approved by ISAF through a submission process that starts at the end of July. Given that the next opportunity for a submission would not have been until July 2006 for decision in November 2006 (only 1.5 years before the Olympics) the World Council decided to make a submission to use composite upper masts for the Laser Radial at the Olympic Games for consideration by ISAF in November 2005.
"ISAF generally do not normally allow changes in established Olympic equipment within 3 years of the Olympic Games. They chose to remain with this policy for the Laser Radial. As a result of the ISAF decision there will be no change to the Laser Radial mast for the 2008 Olympic Games."