The past season has again been successful for the class both locally and internationally.
 
From a successful Nationals at Worser Bay, excellent results for our open sailors on the world stage, an extremely successful Masters Worlds for our sailors in Brisbane to the amazing coverage from the Olympics it has been an interesting season.
 
Congratulations to Scott Leith for his second defence of his Apprentice Masters Radial World title and to Mark Orams (Radial Masters) and Mike Keeton (Radial Grand Masters) on their successes in Brisbane.  I would also like to specifically congratulate Andrew Murdoch for his strong showing in the Olympics. There were also many outstanding performances from our other top sailors at other international regattas including, Andy Maloney and San Meech in the open divisions and Pete Thomas’s 3^rd in the Radial Grand Masters. This is again a reflection of the depth of our Laser fleet.
 
Our coaching initiatives continue and NZLA will continue to encourage and sponsor coaching this season and any club or group of Laser sailors should contact Bonnie, NZLA secretary, if they would like to arrange a coaching session.
 
The Nationals at Worser Bay were a success, with the at times challenging conditions for which Wellington is justly renowned making for exciting sailing for all. The reach back home on the first day was one to remember. Planning for the Nationals at Napier is well advanced and we again look forward to large fleets competing in all divisions.  Sail Auckland at Akarana was a success and they will again host the regatta this year.
 
On an international organisational level the uncertainty with the class builders in the Northern Hemisphere unfortunately continues. We hope that these issues are able to be resolved satisfactorily between the class and manufacturers and the future production of the class continues world wide without disruption. There have been distributor changes in NZ but we continue to enjoy good support for the class from the dealers.
 
We have unfortunately seen little progress with the challenges identified last year including our desire to increase the popularity of the class for women sailors at all levels and also arrest the decrease in the standard rig open fleet. We have canvassed some ideas in these areas but will continue to seek ideas to strengthen the fleet in both these areas.
 
Financially we enjoyed another successful season and the association remains in very good financial health.
 
I would like to thank all our committee for their input this year, with special mention of Mike Knowsley who continues to do a fantastic job in managing our website and Bonnie for her work as class secretary.
 
We have some new members on the committee but are always keen to see new blood so please let me know if you are interested.
 
If anyone would like to propose or discuss any Laser issue you are always welcome to contact me or any member of the committee via the NZLA website e mail contacts
 
Thanks and looking forward to seeing many of you at regattas this season.
 
Nick Page
Chairman NZLA