Doesn't the class have to approve the new rudder construction? Or is the builder allowed to make manufacturing/producibility changes without getting a rule change?
The builder has to build according the specs in the construction manual. IIRC, making the blades from a composite was already part of the specs. There is a little more about the new blades in the Winter 2007 edition of "The Laser Sailor" in the article from Ned Jones (who works for Vanguard)
Since this original post, all the top guys / girls have been using them all summer season in Australia. I don't think there is any performance enhancement, simply an improvement in durability. They also look dam nice!