Thread starter
#1
Welcome to the ILCA Dinghy class!
- Thread starter LaLi
- Start date
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... or IILLCCAA for short...
I was in a theatre with my wife watching Eddy Izzard's show when my phone started shaking (sound off of course). It looked as if everybody here stumbled upon Scuttlebutt's page at the same time and then wanted to share their opinion.
I am very curious to know who's willing to take the gauntlet here in Europe. When we drove home, my wife and I discussed this whole situation. She suggested two things: big chance that LPE will go after every new manufacturer with lawsuits (the new manufacturer being then weakest link during their start-up phase). Secondly, LPE knows/feels/has more info about what's going to happen with 'yes/no Laser' during the Olympics. When the Laser is cancelled, a large part of the market will collapse for LPE: those who want to have the newest of the newest. This derailing situation between LPE and ILCA can be a way of getting rid of all supplies and/or turning away from the relative small Olympics-driven part of the Laser community.
Let's be fair: Dutch Laser Class has 500+ members, only a handful of these attend official regattas. 70% of the members go out, have fun and attend the Weekly Wednesday Evening / Sunday Morning events from their clubs. Nobody of those recreational sailors is interested in a sticker from ILCA in their boat. They just have fun and a beer on the terrace after the race telling big stories. Protests? Unheard of ? You have to pay 50 euros for a protest. If you lose, the money goes into the annual BBQ fund. When you win, you get your 50 euros back. For them, it's like the Sunfish community.
Menno
I was in a theatre with my wife watching Eddy Izzard's show when my phone started shaking (sound off of course). It looked as if everybody here stumbled upon Scuttlebutt's page at the same time and then wanted to share their opinion.
I am very curious to know who's willing to take the gauntlet here in Europe. When we drove home, my wife and I discussed this whole situation. She suggested two things: big chance that LPE will go after every new manufacturer with lawsuits (the new manufacturer being then weakest link during their start-up phase). Secondly, LPE knows/feels/has more info about what's going to happen with 'yes/no Laser' during the Olympics. When the Laser is cancelled, a large part of the market will collapse for LPE: those who want to have the newest of the newest. This derailing situation between LPE and ILCA can be a way of getting rid of all supplies and/or turning away from the relative small Olympics-driven part of the Laser community.
Let's be fair: Dutch Laser Class has 500+ members, only a handful of these attend official regattas. 70% of the members go out, have fun and attend the Weekly Wednesday Evening / Sunday Morning events from their clubs. Nobody of those recreational sailors is interested in a sticker from ILCA in their boat. They just have fun and a beer on the terrace after the race telling big stories. Protests? Unheard of ? You have to pay 50 euros for a protest. If you lose, the money goes into the annual BBQ fund. When you win, you get your 50 euros back. For them, it's like the Sunfish community.
Menno
Thread starter
#7
Interesting how little they have to say beyond "this is illegal"... maybe they're finally realizing how few cards they have left. Strange, too, how much it seems to bug them that the ILCA office is in Texas, and that the leadership aren't all professionals.
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We're kicking off or District series this weekend. This has no affect on our group nor will it have any affect for a long time. This will be in my rear view mirror until something if substance breaks loose. At this point it's like watching CNN news here in the states. Which has unfortunately become the "speculation news" channel....
