We, the Sailors, Don't Want a War - Laser Dinghy

We, the Sailors, Don't Want a War - Laser Dinghy

Started
July 3, 2019
Petition to
Signatures: 8Next Goal: 10
Support now

Why this petition matters

Started by Ian Peter Lore

We the sailors are disappointed.

We are disappointed in both of our Laser class builders, Laser Performance and Performance Sailing Australia for their longstanding 10+ year dispute, their inability to work together for a common cause, putting commercial interests ahead of supportive customers and volunteers and failing to settle their law suit.

We are disappointed in both of our builders for their bitter comments towards each other at a crucial time in the class history when they should be looking for ways to reconcile

We are disappointed in our sport's governing body for introducing a policy that effectively bans SMOD classes from participating in the Olympics . We are especially disappointed that World Sailing should select the Laser class as the first class to experiment with this policy. You have helped throw the most widely raced dinghy class in the world into disarray. It was either a misconstrued strategy or incompetent coincidence. Your job is to nurture classes not disrupt them.

We are disappointed in the leadership of ILCA. Good intentions do not mitigate poor decisions. We are disappointed that you would preface the extremely sensitive and difficult transition to an  FRAND compliant class by dismissing LP before the transition, raising tensions, creating distrust and confusing the issues. We are disappointed in your messaging and communication that has led so many Laser sailors to question your motives. We are disappointed in your failure to build consensus and your failure to build an inclusive negotiation team.

We are disappointed in the leadership of EurILCA. Good intentions do not mitigate personal attacks. We are disappointed that you would publicly call for the resignation of your colleagues rather than reach across the aisle, identify and reconcile your differences and make constructive suggestions to reach your goals. We are disappointed by the public ad hominem attacks by class leaders and their partners who should instead be setting an example of the good fellowship and sportsmanship that has always been such an important part of our sport. At our yacht clubs and regattas you will find that we the sailors enjoy camaraderie as much as the sailing,. You misrepresent our sport.

We are disappointed in LP for trying to impose a trademark agreement on the class association that would force the vibrant community of sailors and volunteers to cede control of their own class association to your commercial control. We are disappointed that that you have failed to provide a reliable supply chain for North American sailors and caused so much angst to so many sailors in that continent. We are disappointed in your partisan and destructive PR.

We are disappointed in PSA and its owners for acquiring BKI and then purportedly using ownership of BKI to try and make commercial gains. Whether it was unfortunate or deliberate, the resulting contractual disputes have hurt Laser sailing and damaged the efforts of the humble volunteers who are trying to host regattas and promote the game of Laser sailing. We are disappointed in your efforts to reconcile with the other builder. We wish you would spend your legal fees somewhere else. We are disappointed in your inflammatory and immature public comments as we approach the August 1st deadline.

WE THE SAILORS DON'T WANT A WAR!

 

Support now
Signatures: 8Next Goal: 10
Support now
Share this petition in person or use the QR code for your own material.Download QR Code

Decision Makers

  • World Sailing
  • Laser Performance
  • Performance Sailing Australia
  • International Laser Class Association
  • Eurilca