We are looking forward to another great ILCA Nationals Champs at Nelson. Always a great sailing venue.

• Wed 15th Jan - Sunday 19th Jan 2025
• Nelson Yacht Club
• Notice of Race
• Getting your boat measured at the ILCA Champs
• Advertising Permiited

Check the online ILCA Laser Handbook for answers on what is legal on your boat. It includes instructions for applying sail numbers.

Read more for all the details ...

• Get your boat measured before going to registration
• Start by filling in your simple measuring form
• Bring your sail with numbers correctly attached. We will unroll it to check everything.
• Do not rig the full mast and sail., leave it completely unrigged, or only rig the rig the bottom section, boom and control lines.
• Get your foils, tiller and control lines out of the bag.
• If anything needs fixing we note it on your form. When you have fixed it, you can jump the queue to have it rechecked for sign off
• You need your signed off measuring form to register

It's usually not that bad. If you are sailing a standard unmodified ILCA of any age we will get you through measuring.

We may check anything. But here are the most common things that need to be fixed to pass measuring.

Non-ILCA Parts are not permitted
We are very protective of the 'one design' aspect of the class. You will not be allowed to use any non-ILCA parts such as sails, spars, centre-board, rudder, vang assemblies etc. Even if you have been using them for club racing.

Sail Numbers
We are fussy about sail numbers because they help the race officials, safety boats and especially the finish boat identify you quickly.

• You must use a unique sail number. Not one used by anyone else in the regatta, even if they are in a different fleet. If you bought a second-hand sail with numbers attached, make sure the person you bought it from is not using the same number on a new sail. If there are duplicates the sailor with a matching hull number has the right to use that number.
• You must have a regulation sail number, regulation size, fixed in the regulation position and spacing on the sail.
• Instructions come with the new sails, or see the instructions in the ILCA handbook.
• Place the numbers accurately - both position and spacing. If they are not right we ask you to do it again, which is expensive and time-consuming.
• Most boats will have a 6 digit number, partial numbers are not permitted. Only very old boats will be allowed to use their original 4 or 5 digit number.
• Your sail number does not need to match your hull number. But if they do not match, the sail number must not be an old style number with less than 6 digits. 
• You do not need country letters at the Nationals. But if you have them they must be the regulation size and position on the sail.
• Women need the official red Rhombus (diamond) on their sail.

Sail Numbers on your hull and trolley
Print your sail number on both sides of your hull, near the stern. Numbers should be 40mm high or more.
Numbers in felt tip permanent marker are ok.
If you are temporarily using a number for this regatta and have old numbers on the hull, tape over them and write the new number on the tape.
Put your sail number on your trolley to help the volunteers find your trolley when you come in.

Mast retaining line
We insist on a mast retaining line. It's a safety thing. There are various options for tying the line. If you're not sure check with another sailor or the measurer.

Check your rivets
Check the rivets on the mast and boom are all tight, and replace any that are loose. We will check these carefully, as a failure during the regatta often means you tie up a safety boat. It can also ruin your race and regatta.

Bent and altered masts
The mast sections must be standard laser parts. The mast fittings must all be in the standard position.
Officially your mast sections must be straight. But we permit the 'normal' amount of bend these sections get with use. We will reject an excessively bent section - and that judgement is up to the measurer.

Rudder angle
We measure the angle between the rudder and the rudder stock as it affects boat performance.
Many have the wrong angle, even new rudders. But it's easy to fix with a file or some electrical tape for packing.

Battens
Battens must be a standard laser part. They must not exceed the standard length. Even new ones are wrong sometimes and we will get you to file them down to length. It's easy.

Buying parts at the regatta
You can now buy genuine Laser parts from various retailers, such as;

• www.nzwatershed.co.nz
• www.nzsailing.com

Advertising on your boat
See John Bullots advice on the advertising permitted on your Laser.

Questions about rules & measuring
First check online: ILCA Laser Handbook
Otherwise email me: mikeknowsley@xtra.co.nz