The International Laser Class Association (ILCA) has announced that effective from yesterday, Thursday 25 April, all new class-approved boats will be sold and raced under the new name ILCA Dinghy.

Scuttlebutt Sailing News has more on the move which comes just weeks after the ILCA removed longtime builder Laser Performance as an approved builder, claiming that it had breached the terms of its construction agreement.

The name changed was made necessary as Laser Performance — for which CH Marine is the official Irish dealer — holds the trademark to the ‘Laser’ name, it’s been reported.

Laser-class boats are manufactured under licence by a variety of builders around the world, under strict guidelines to maintain their identical standards.

The class has been the one-person dinghy event at the Olympic Games since Atlanta 1996 but its future after next year’s games in Tokyo has not been confirmed.

“It’s a big change for a racing class that hasn’t seen anything like this in our almost 50-year history,” said class president Tracy Usher of the name change.

“Our staff and our network of stakeholders have been working tirelessly to ensure minimal disruption to ILCA members and class racers in all regions of the globe.”

Usher said the name change will apply to all three rig sizes allowed by the ILCA Class Rules (Standard, Radial and 4.7 rigs).

In addition, new class-legal sails for each rig will carry the updated ILCA logo, a move which is fully supported by North Sails.

Usher added that delivery times to Europe “may see a slight increase” since the two remaining approved class builders are located in Japan and Australia, serving markets in east Asian and Oceania.

The ILCA has posted an FAQ about its recent changes, and Sailing Scuttlebutt has much more on the story HERE.