“Laser” is changing the name

April 27, 20192min read

International Association of the class “Laser” (ILСA) made on April 25 a formal statement. From this day all new court certified this class will be sold under the name ILCA Dinghy.

And it is the name ILCA Dinghy is now officially used to denote the class during competitions.

The reasons for this decision the International Association not long ago we told. It is associated with the scandal between ILCA and the largest producer of yachts in this class – a company Laser Performance (Europe) Limited.

Recall that in late March, the international Association stopped any cooperation with Laser Performance and the beginning of the search of companies that can replace it. It was stressed that the decision was taken due to the fact that Laser Performance refused to allow its shipyard inspectors ILCA. Thereby been violated the terms of the agreement with ILCA, which have provided the identity of the ships of the class “Laser”.

As we have already mentioned, Laser Performance (Europe) Limited, located in UK, not just the largest manufacturer of yachts in this class. It is almost a monopoly because the company owns 85 per cent (!) of the world market. According to some, it was built 215 thousand yachts!

Before the start of the conflict, Laser Performance was the rights granted to the same ILCA, production and sale of “Lasers” and accessories in the world. The exceptions were only 4 countries – Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Korea. Besides, it so happened that Laser Performance owns the commercial rights to the brand under the name “Laser” in the world (with the exception of the same four countries).

That’s why the ILCA and decided to change the name of the new yacht thanks to the international Association deprives the products of Laser Performance (Europe) Limited official status. These vessels now except that you can train.

All of this, the statement ILCA does not apply to yachts produced by Laser Performance to 25 April 2019. They can take part in competitions on an equal footing with ILCA Dinghy.