“The Hyderabad Sailing Week (from July 26 to 29 this time in view of the Olympics) attracts the largest number of sailors in any class of National competition,” said Lt. Col. S.S. Siwatch, Secretary, Laser Class Association of India (LCAI).
Speaking at a day-long seminar he conducted with Lt. Col. Ranjit Singh Dhillon, National Judge at the invitation of the Andhra Pradesh Sports Journalists Association (APSJA), he said unlike recreational sailing that happens mostly for entertainment at the Hussain Sagar, the Laser Nationals attracts sailors from most, if not all, the LCAI’s 22 affiliates across the country. “The surge in interest forced the LCAI’s hand in holding a Coastal National each year too. Since Hyderabad had become the Inland Nationals capital of the country, the need was felt to familiarise our sailors with conditions worldwide, since almost all international Laser competitions are held in the open sea,” said Lt. Col. Dhillon.
One reason for the Laser’s popularity as a preferred craft is that it has the least number of controls, making it not only easy to handle but safe too. “The hull remains the same for all three versions, viz; the Standard, the Radial and the 4.7, making it a very practical proposition. The height of the mast is all that needs to be adjusted to fit in the right sail,” Dhillon said.
