The ILCA dinghy (short for International Laser Class Association), formerly the Laser, but which for contractual reasons has undergone a change of name, was designed in 1970 by Canadian Bruce Kirby as a singlehanded weekender beach boat, but has now risen to become an Olympic class for men (ILCA 7) and women (ILCA 6), and is the most popular sailing dinghy in the world, having as at 2024, sail numbers of 225,000 plus.

The Class is a strict one design with the aim of making the skill and fitness of the sailors the deciding factor in the outcome of any race.

Whilst capable of high performance, and the fastest singlehanded fleet at Chipstead, the mast, sail and hull are simple and robust to rig and sail, whilst also providing very close racing thanks to the elimination of hull, sails and equipment differences.

Whilst being an Olympic boat, it is also suited to beginners upwards, with a strong grp hull and simple two piece mast and a minimum of sail controls. Spars, sails and foils are easy to remove and store on the boat, or to transport to and from the Club.

The ILCA has three interchangeable rigs,requiring only a change of bottom section of the two piece mast and an appropriate size sail, allowing sailors to grow through the Class and adjust the rig size to fit their capabilities and the wind strength.

The ILCA 4 (formerly the 4.7sqm rig) is most appropriate for young people and light adults in the 50-65kg range, whilst the ILCA 6 (formerly the Radial 5.7sqm. rig) caters for sailors in the 60-78kg band, and the ILCA 7 (formerly the Standard 7.06sqm.rig) is for those weighing 73-90kg and above.

For further details contact Russell, ILCA (Laser) fleet captain at:  laser@chipsteadsc.org.uk

For more information on the ILCA, contact the class association, ILCA UK at: https://ilca.uk