The class was effectively single-manufacturer (on a regional basis) until last year. The current situation with PSA being the dominant builder is planned to end next year, and Gilles should know this, too. Instead he hangs onto the "LP vs PSA" narrative, which isn't relevant anymore.I took a different view to Lali I though Gilles was in favour of SMOD boats his problem is that we are not a SMOD because we have two builders who are competing for market share and profits by any means possible.
I was thinking about writing a detailed commentary, but then decided that that would be too pedanticLali and AlanD both talk about inaccuracies without elaborating. I'm sure Gilles was sincere when he took the time to write the piece and that his comments are his, and many other clubs sailors, perception of events based on the information at their disposal. If there are inaccuracies it would be really helpful if these could be highlighted, and substantiated, to make sure it is not simply different peoples personal perception of the same set of events.
Not a fan of LP, but they just lowered the price of a new 2020 Laser Race to approximately $3800.
If you fancy the composite top, add about $400.
As I already said, I felt that would be too pedantic; pretty useless, too, as the whole thing doesn't have much substance beyond some interesting historical material. Although I said I could still do it, I don't find it worth the effort....some of the other posts which seem to ignore any correct assertions and simply claim some of the facts are wrong but do not take the time to explain why.
Andy, I am a Grand Master myself. I can totally understand how Gilles feels. I am not being ageist against him; I am not sayng that his argument is wrong because he is of a certain age. He simply doesn't have enough compelling evidence. But you have to admit that at the core of his writing there is a yearning for an imagined golden past. I don't think saying this out loud fulfills any definition of trolling.You do wonder about the strength of their case when they have to resort to unnecessary comments about peoples ages and their views which will alienate about 40% of the active fleet at my club who are older than Gilles
ILCA didn't have much choice here, and it's a good thing that builders who allegedly have tighter tolerances than LP can soon compete on the global market. The supplied boats will still come from a single builder each time.When manufacturers had regional monopolies it did not matter if the boats were slightly different because everyone in the region had the same boat and a single manufacturer supplied boats for major championships. ILCA have therefore weakened the one design by allowing boats to cross regions.
I do. It's the sticker guaranteeing that the boat actually is built like it should. The other we can never be sure of. Like the difference between a measured and an unmeasured boat in more open classes.I simply do not understand the rational of saying if two competitors arrive at a regatta with boats built to exactly the same construction manual but one cost 30% more and has two silver stickers only the expensive boat can compete.
I don't count that as a "solution" as you rightly note that it would raise the prices. It's another case of Gilles contradicting himself.Gilles, contrary to some comments, suggested a solution, higher levels of competition require tighter tolerances. I wonder why ILCA did not do this, I suspect it might be because they do not have the power to alter the specification without agreement from the builders and LPE, the largest builder, realised that tighter tolerances would increase prices which in turn would make the boat less attractive and reduce overall profits.
When you say "market", it sounds like you mean your national market, and extrapolate it into a global one. However, the vast majority of sailing countries can't support hundreds of classes new and old, and the relatively few places where the sport is growing (mainly in Asia) clearly favour old-established classes such as the 420 and the Laser. Neither the Aero nor any other new class is a serious market threat.The Laser is simply loosing it's appeal, competitive advantage and position in the market.
Once again, thank you for the good work. But what does "as we know it" mean? After all, the class has been Olympic for longer than it was non-Olympic (27 vs 21 years). By remaining so, it actually keeps the other foot - the youth - out of the grave.19 pages was a long text and had it not been for lockdown I could never have translated a document of this length. I felt it had some useful insights into the past and our current problems. Although I have different views to Gilles on some points I think he is right: ILCA's strategy and pursuit of the Olympic dream is the end of the Laser as we know it and it is now a class with one foot in the grave.