apparently a big shakeup between the Sunfish Class (ISCA) and Laser Performance - with LP now starting control of their own version of the Sunfish Class (ISCO?).
Looks like the class (the real one, not the new LP one) is going to find parts suppliers aside from LP, which should be good as LP does not like to sell parts, or boats, for that matter. That appears to have annoyed LP!
Down the line will be interesting to see if sails, blades, etc are deemed better by one manufacturer than another. Even following measurement standards, that doesn't always mean a lot.
Not automatically. The class president's letter says "In August 2017, the World Council ... changed ISCA class rules to allow non-builder supplied, class approved spars, masts, goosenecks, sails and parts."
The way I understand it, "class approval" means either 1) the class association makes lists of "approved" equipment, for example a list of sailmakers whose products are considered legal (without measurement), or 2) the parts in question will be described with their measurements in the rules, and anything (built by anyone) that measures in is considered legal, or 3) some combination thereof.
Of course, someone from the ISCA should be here telling how things are. But the class rule changes will be published sooner or later on the World Sailing website for all to see: http://www.sailing.org/28326.php
Hi, I was until August the head of the advisory council. LaLi is right - World Sailing has to approve the changes mentioned above. I think that will happen at their conference in Mexico right now, but they may come back with questions or proposed rewording - you never know. And yes, the class assoc will be coming up with a list of approved parts. Wheels are in motion. Chris
What specifically is going to be a cluster? If you don’t race it won’t matter. If you do, hopefully ISCO will be nothing but a bad memory in another month or so.
“World Sailing cannot accept a rival international class association being created without the consent of the current class. Doing so fundamentally undermines the Class’s membership of World Sailing and the purpose of World Sailing Classes. In particular, ISCA has an obligation under the World Sailing Constitution to (emphasis added):
“… be responsible for implementing the objects and decision of the Federation affecting their classes and for protecting the design characteristics of their class” [Art. 8].
It is almost inconceivable that World Sailing could admit ISCO to World Sailing Class membership (without the agreement of ISCA) as this would undermine ISCA’s right and obligation under our Constitution to protect the design characteristics of their class.”
It's the same rationale for WS/ISAF as when they dumped Bruce Kirby and his "Torch" plan to disengage the Laser class from LaserPerformance: you don't step on a recognized class association's toes. This time however it's LP itself that's running the rival organization! How little have they learned.