How To – International Laser Class Association

Reaching in Lasers

November 2, 2018 Katie Olsen How To

by Jon Emmett Although we now have less reaching in modern racing (gone are the days of the Triangle Sausage course), reaching is still very important. On an outer-loop course, […]

Upwind in Lasers

October 1, 2018 Katie Olsen How To

by Jon Emmett Light Wind It’s about getting your head out of the boat because every slight increase in wind speed translates into a big difference in boat speed. Sailor-positioning […]

Mark Rounding for Lasers

September 6, 2018 Katie Olsen How To

by Jon Emmett When boats come together, especially in a tightly packed Laser fleet there is a huge amount of opportunity for place changing. Whilst the leaders may have been […]

Covering in Lasers

July 31, 2018 Katie Olsen How To

by Jon Emmett The modern format often results in an exciting medal race where there is a battle between two or more sailors for the medals, and far more boat-on-boat […]

Gybing for Lasers

July 2, 2018 Katie Olsen How To

by Jon Emmett Downwind, there are fewer shifts than upwind because we are sailing away from the wind (not towards it). Still every shift counts and sailing the optimum angle […]

Rudder vs. Sheet: Heavy Air Downwind Sailing

June 4, 2018 Katie Olsen How To

By Vaughn Harrison via International Sailing Academy Photo | Christy Usher Rarely, and for only short periods of time, can you experience a balanced helm during a 20+ knot downwind. […]

Tacking for Lasers

May 30, 2018 Katie Olsen How To

By Jon Emmett One of the beauties of Lasers is just how well they tack—if tacked well. Races are anything but a boat speed race to the corner in most […]

Starting for Lasers

May 1, 2018 Katie Olsen How To

by Jon Emmett Starting is undoubtedly an extremely important part of the race: this is why we practice it so much. There are many articles written about the techniques involved […]

Introduction to Laser Sailing

April 3, 2018 Katie Olsen How To

by Jon Emmett The Laser is truly the boat for all ages from our Junior 4.7s to our legendary (over 75 year old) Masters. No other adult class is raced […]

Take Control: Heavy Air Downwind Sailing

December 4, 2017 Katie Olsen How To

by Vaughn Harrison via International Sailing Academy Sailing downwind in a Laser is an art. In big breeze, it’s survival. Some people make it look easy, but it doesn’t mean […]