Please select your home edition
Edition
Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design

ILCA 50th anniversary celebration on Sydney Harbour

by Diana Chen 21 Jun 2021 21:53 PDT 20 June 2021

The Laser ILCA Dinghy 50th Anniversary was celebrated in style on Sydney Harbour on Sunday 20 June. Over 100 sailors braved the winter morning to take part in the historic event that marked the birth of the world's most popular single-handed dinghy.

Brett Beyer, 13-times World Masters Champion, who was sailing a one-off gold-coloured boat, produced by Performance Sailcraft Australia, led the fleet down the harbour from the Sydney Opera House to Watsons Bay. Although it was not a race, it was a great opportunity for club sailors to sail in a large fleet and test their skills against some of the great Masters Champions and rising stars destined for future Olympic Games.

For many of those sailors, it became a de facto race, highlighting the fun and competitive nature of the one-design class. One sailor quipped, "How do you know if it's a race?... Well, if there were two Lasers, it's always a race!"

Andrew Cox, Commodore of Double Bay Sailing Club, which hosted the event, said, "With a huge fleet sailing under dramatic skies, in great wind and waves, set against the iconic Sydney backdrop, the event was a truly memorable experience, which showcased the spirit and camaraderie of the class."

"We had 217 registered sailors from Sydney, and other parts of Australia, but many were unable to attend due to last-minute travel restrictions in place for Covid. We're sorry they couldn't join us", said Commodore, Andrew Cox.

The event received great print media coverage, as well as aerial footage on the evening television news. "We were delighted with the interest this received, as our key objective was to raise awareness of the popularity, the competitiveness, and the fun of the ILCA Laser class, in the hope of inspiring new and returning sailors to the sport", Cox said.

Find out more a www.dbsc.com.au/laser-50th

Related Articles

Antonia & Georgia Lewin-LaFrance 1pt from podium
In the 49er FX class at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance from Chester, N.S., took the fourth position in 49erFX at the fourth and next-to-last event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series, the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta. Posted on 21 Jul
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 4
ILCA 6 & 7, Men's & Women's Formula Kite and 470 Mixed Teams Wrap Up The racing for the first 5 classes of the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta wrapped up with a twist in conditions and breeze just to mix it up for the competitors. Posted on 17 Jul
Strong start on LA waters for Australian Sailors
A valuable week of racing at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta Australia's top Olympic class sailors have wrapped up a valuable week of racing at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta in California, gaining firsthand experience at the future venue of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 17 Jul
Sail Canada Regional Championships Preview
More than 300 young Canadian sailors in action this weekend across the country More than 300 young Canadian sailors will be in action this weekend as Sail Canada will present its three regional championships: Sail East at St. Margaret Sailing Club, Sail Central at Hudson Yacht Club and Sail West at Gimli Yacht Club. Posted on 16 Jul
North ILCA UK circuit at Pennine
A great leveller between the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 Ten visitors spanning from Carsington to West Kirby joined sixteen club members for the Pennine Sailing Club ILCA open, which also formed part of the ILCA UK North Grand Prix series. Posted on 16 Jul
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 3
Mother Nature teases the competitors Mother Nature teased the competitors today and made them wait a bit, but she did not disappoint; the sun came out and a big westerly built to 18-20 knots! Posted on 15 Jul
Excellent Olympic Season Openers for GP Watercraft
Bermudan ILCA sailors enjoy a strong start to the season! The first two Olympic events of 2025 proved a very positive start to the season for GP Watercraft and their Bermudan ILCA sailors: Sebastian Kempe (ILCA 7) and Adriana Penruddocke (ILCA 6) who are both coached by Shaun Priestley of GP Watercraft. Posted on 15 Jul
Laserfest at Whitstable
Event attracts entries from as far as Yorkshire Laserfest, Whitstable Yacht Club's celebration of Laser/ILCA racing took place last weekend with a strong entry of 40 boats. Laserfest o attracted entries from as far as Yorkshire together with a range of more local clubs. Posted on 15 Jul
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 2
Classic Long Beach conditions return The weather conditions at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta shifted noticeably today, delivering the classic Long Beach breeze that many expect from this world-class venue. Posted on 14 Jul
ILCAs at Notts County
With complementary watermelon for after-racing hydration A lovely warm and sunny day greeted 26 ILCA sailors at Notts County Sailing Club on 12th of July 2025. The wind was from a steady light south east breeze with occasional 14 mph gusts. Posted on 14 Jul
Selden 2020 - FOOTERMaritimo M600RS Sailing 2021 - FOOTER