Women's One Person Dinghy
The Lasers are light, easy to carry and simple to launch. Its basic layout makes it one of the easiest boats to sail. Therefore, Lasers are popular with experienced and inexperienced sailors and it is raced at club, national and international level.
Despite its simplicity, the Laser is a challenging boat that rewards athleticism, subtle steering and trimming techniques, as well as tactical excellence.
One of the biggest attractions of the Laser dinghy is that it is protected by the One Design class rules, which means that no changes are allowed to the boat unless they are specifically permitted within the rules. So, in theory, all Laser boats are the same whether they are brand new or several years old. This helps to ensure that competitors win through possessing superior racing skills and a competitive edge, rather than through technological advances.
The Laser was designed in 1969 and has a timeless design.
The Laser combines one hull with three different rigs - Standard, Radial and the 4.7. Young sailors starting out in the 4.7 can move up in rigs as they grow physically and develop tactically, without the need to purchase a completely new boat.
Lasers have been part of the Olympic Games since the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
The Laser (Full-Rig) is an Olympic Event for men and the Laser Radial is an Olympic Event for women.
Male and female sailors will compete at Perth 2011 to become World Champions in the Laser and Laser Radial classes, respectively.
The best international female sailors will also travel to Perth to compete for a chance for their nation to be represented in the Laser Radial Event at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
- Type: Centreboard Boat
- Beam Length: 1.37m
- Beam: 1.37m
- No. of Crew: 1
- Year Designed: 1969
- Laser Standard: 7.06m
- Opt Crew Weight: 55-70 kg
- Mainsail Area: 5.76m²
- Laser Radial: 5.76m
- Designer: Bruce Kirby
- Hull Weight: 15.5 kg
- Laser 4.7: 4.7m
- Hull Material: GRP
- Advertising Cat: C
- Weight: 56.7kg
- Number of Trapeze: Toe Straps
- Length Overall: 4.23m
- Positive Floatation: 158.7kg
- Hull Length : 4.23m
- Length Waterline: 3.81m
Laser Class Rules