North American origins
The ILCA sailboat, known until 2019 as the "Laser," is one of the most iconic and widespread one-design dinghies in the world of sailing. Its history began in 1969, when Bruce Kirby, a Canadian journalist and naval designer, and his colleague Ian Bruce, had the idea of creating a simple, lightweight and affordable dinghy that would quickly become popular.
The first prototype, initially called "Weekender," was renamed "Laser" because of the trend to name new products after space technology, which was in vogue at the time. The boat was presented at the New York Boat Show in 1971, where it received an enthusiastic welcome thanks to its innovative design and exceptional performance.
Olympic support since 1996
The Laser class was quickly adopted by racers and recognized by the International Sailing Federation, now World Sailing, in 1974. The Laser only became an Olympic class in 1996 in Atlanta for the men, then in 2008 in Beijing for the women, which helped to maintain its worldwide popularity.
In 2019, due to disputes over naming and licensing rights, the International Laser Class Association -ILCA- decided to rename the dinghy in the name of the class. This made it possible to diversify manufacturers, while maintaining the quality and performance standards for which the dinghy is renowned.
Two variants in Olympism
The ILCA class is available in two variants at the Olympics, in which only the rigging differs. Hull, daggerboard and rudder are exactly the same on both versions.
The ILCA 6, which will be reserved for women, has a sail area of 5.76 m2, as well as a shorter, more flexible carbon mast step.
The ILCA 7, for men, has a sail area of 7.06 m2 and a slightly longer mast step.
Licensed production for near-perfect one-dimensionality
As of 2019, the ILCA is manufactured by several licensed companies around the world. These manufacturers are responsible for producing yachts that comply with the one-design established by the class. The main manufacturers are:
- Devoti Sailing s.r.o. based in the Czech Republic, is one of the oldest and most recognized manufacturers.
- Ovington Boats: Located in the UK, Ovington Boats is renowned for the high quality of its sailboats, and also produces other classes of dinghies.
- Nautivela srl: the Milanese shipyard also manufactures most of today's Olympic racks
- PSA (Performance Sailcraft Australia): Based in Australia, PSA is another long-standing manufacturer of ILCA sailboats, renowned for the quality and performance of its boats.
- PSJ (Performance Sailcraft Japan): Located in Japan, PSJ mainly serves the Asian market and ensures the availability of ILCA sailboats conforming to international standards.
- Element 6 Evolution: Based in Europe, Element 6 Evolution is a more recent manufacturer that has also obtained the license to produce ILCA sailboats.
These companies are authorized by ILCA to produce and sell yachts that meet the class standards, thus guaranteeing uniformity and fairness in international competitions, including the Olympic Games.
For the Olympic Games, a short list of two shipyards has been drawn up. One supplier per series, chosen by lottery, will supply all the boats in the series, so that each athlete has the same chances as his or her competitors.
A very demanding dinghy for athletes
ILCA is a relatively slow medium, which makes it highly tactical. The emphasis is on impeccable handling, and every strategic choice must be carefully considered. A good reading of the water and perfect maneuvers are a must, as every length lost to the opponent is difficult to make up.
On the size side, the class recommends a minimum weight for athletes to optimize dinghy performance. In ILCA 6, the ideal weight for a female racer is 65 kg, while in ILCA 7, men are recommended to weigh between 80 and 85 kg.
An intense regatta format
On each of the 5 days of regattas at the Olympic Games, athletes will race two heats per day, each lasting around 50 minutes. At the end of the 10 races, the top 10 finishers compete in a final heat called the "Medal Race", in which the points won count double. This last race is a source of strategic choices, as it can change an established ranking.
