2023 Sunfish Worlds in Ecuador Cancelled New Venue Being Explored

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my2fish
From an email from the Sunfish Class (I bolded a few key lines):
Unfortunately, the 2023 Sunfish World Championship scheduled for September 6-17 in Salinas, Ecuador, has been cancelled. This includes the open, Masters, Youth, and first Women’s Worlds.
Laser Performance had agreed to provide boats for the Worlds, but then decided not to. Despite the diligent efforts of the team in Ecuador and ISCA’s leadership, it was not possible to get enough boats to Ecuador to run the Worlds this year.
We are particularly disappointed given that Ecuador has put so much effort into hosting their first Sunfish World Championship. Sometime in the future, however, we hope to reschedule a Worlds in Ecuador, a perfect venue with an exceptional event planning team for hosting a major Sunfish event.
We are so grateful to the Salinas Yacht Club for their hard work and especially for their understanding that Laser Performance’s decision not to support this important championship was beyond any of our control.
ISCA has been exploring venues to host the 2023 Worlds in the US. We hope to announce a new venue and date in the next few weeks. Right now, the date looks like early December. The boats will likely be a combination of charters offered by one or more dealers and competitor-supplied boats for USA competitors. Due to the short timeframe, we will only be holding the Open Worlds.
This is not the first time LP hasn’t provided boats. The last two times, in 2012 and 2013, we were able to hold our World Championship in the US where both events were well-attended and very successful championships.
Regarding the 2024 Worlds planned in Dallas, TX USA, we expect to be able to hold that event with or without Laser Performance’s participation due to the existing boat supply in the US.
We will keep you updated regarding Worlds plans for 2023, and we apologize for this, but Laser Performance’s decisions are beyond our control.
Well, thanks for nothing, LP. How very frustrating (and not at all surprising).
 
How about a simple statement from ISCA, or even a joint press release? "We couldn't get enough Sunfish to this particular spot on the planet on these days, but we're working as a team to put something else together."

The ISCA are the folks who wanted the event, they should accept accountability vs throwing LP under the bus.

By my math that leaves a bunch of years where LP has provided boats.

ALCORT
AMF
Loveless and DeGarmo
Sunfish Laser Inc
Pearson
Vanguard
Laser Performance
 
How about a simple statement from ISCA, or even a joint press release? "We couldn't get enough Sunfish to this particular spot on the planet on these days, but we're working as a team to put something else together."

The ISCA are the folks who wanted the event, they should accept accountability vs throwing LP under the bus.

By my math that leaves a bunch of years where LP has provided boats.

ALCORT
AMF
Loveless and DeGarmo
Sunfish Laser Inc
Pearson
Vanguard
Laser Performance

While I agree with the spirit of what you are saying in regards to working together. The fact is though, that LP agreed to supply boats for the 2023 Worlds in Ecuador a year or two ago and has since announced that they will no longer provide the boats. In other words, LP backed out of their agreement with ISCA.
 
Is there even a US Laser Performance office anymore? The answer is no. My former contact Brent has dropped off of the grid.

LP is currently updating their webstore, and responded "But meanwhile you can contact us on the costumer care and ask for a quote for the parts."

I queried Laser Performance on facebook messaging, the US distributor is Blue Keel Sailing. Anyone familiar with them?
 
Is there even a US Laser Performance office anymore? The answer is no. My former contact Brent has dropped off of the grid.

LP is currently updating their webstore, and responded "But meanwhile you can contact us on the costumer care and ask for a quote for the parts."

I queried Laser Performance on facebook messaging, the US distributor is Blue Keel Sailing. Anyone familiar with them?

LaserPerformance no longer has an office in the US. Brent left LP last year around Thanksgiving.

Blue Keel is owned by Bahman Kia and John Shad who have both been in upper management at LaserPerformance for years.
 
The way that article is written it makes me think it’s likely LP threw themselves under the bus. It also indicates LP probably won’t be providing boats to a US worlds either, which says something too.

You are correct in the fact that LP will not be suppling boats for a US worlds this year either.
 
I try to an avoid going the Dinghy Anarchy site, but I knew they had the attached there about Blue Keel.
 

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All Sunfish are built in Portugal have been since 2021.
No, boats are made in China with final assembly in Portugal.
I was in 2022 Worlds.
Boats didn't have stickers MADE IN PORTUGAL, but sails had tags with MADE IN PRTUGAL.
I bought the sail as a souvenir. Shape is not good. Just as bad as Bonaire. I had it too.
Boats NO.
Sails YES.
 
No, boats are made in China with final assembly in Portugal.
I was in 2022 Worlds.
Boats didn't have stickers MADE IN PORTUGAL, but sails had tags with MADE IN PRTUGAL.
I bought the sail as a souvenir. Shape is not good. Just as bad as Bonaire. I had it too.
Boats NO.
Sails YES.

I am not here to argue, take sides or stir things up. I just want to be sure the information being shared is accurate and factual as I am very close to the situation. As I stated before Sunfish are no longer made in China. They have been made in Portugal since 2021.

I owned and supplied all 100 new boats for the 2021 Worlds, owned over half of the 2022 World boats and can assure you they were not made in China. I also sold over 150 Sunfish in 2022 and they were all made in Portugal.

Making them in China and assembling them in Portugal does not make any rational sense at all, if you really stop and think about it and there is no way that could happen at the price we pay for a new Sunfish.
 

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