Rule Changes 2007
Following the 2007 Classs rule change, the following rules were passed with more than a two-thirds majority and will be valid from 4 February 2008:
1.Rule 4 - Sail Registration Numbers and Identification
| Votes | |
|---|---|
| YES | 140 |
| NO | 31 |
| Total Votes | 171 |
Add new rule:
4.(g)(i) Sails used in the following women’s events shall carry a red rhombus above the top batten pocket on both sides;
a. world or regional (continental) championships
b. events described as “international events” by the Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions
c. other events that prescribe in the Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions that women competitors should be identified.
(g)(ii) The minimum size and approximate position shall comply with diagram “Rhombus”
(g)(iii) The rhombus may be retained for racing in other events.
EXPLANATION: The requirement of a red rhombus on the sail has been ILCA policy at world and continental championships for a number of years. Since the Laser Radial was selected as Olympic equipment Women’s Laser Radial sailing has dramatically increased. At large multi Olympic class regattas and at our own class regattas it is helpful for sailors and race committee to identify different fleets. The Red Rhombus makes it easy to identify between men’s and women’s Laser Radial fleets and also between women’s Laser Radial fleets and men’s Laser Standard rig fleets.
2. Rule 19 - Mast
| Votes | |
|---|---|
| YES | 163 |
| NO | 8 |
| Total Votes | 171 |
Add new rule 19 (d):
(d) Flexible adhesive tape may be applied to the outside of the joint of the upper and lower mast sections to a limit of 40mm above and below the joint to prevent rotation of the mast sections at the joint.
EXPLANATION: The addition of flexible adhesive tape to the outside of the mast join provides an easier way of keeping the mast collar rivet in the “neutral” axis. Without this rule change we have to rely on packing the inside of the collar. If the inside packing is too tight the collar can stick inside the lower mast making it difficult to separate the upper and lower sections and with the additional risk of weakening or breaking the mast collar rivet. If this happens the upper mast can collapse into the lower mast.