The association pulls together the community of RC Laser skippers in the UK. In doing so it provides skippers with opportunities of meeting together to exchange views, hints and tips on getting the most out of their boats and above all pit their skills against each other in the challenging sport of strict one design rc yacht racing.
The association publishes a newsletter 3 or 4 times a year and coordinates the Ranking Series of events and the National Championships.
Through the association skippers are also given the opportunity to race in other countries at International level should they wish to do so. In 2001 three UK skippers raced in the USA National Championships at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT.
What does it cost to become a member?
The annual membership fee is currently just £7.50 pa.
Why should I join?
In joining the association you are protecting your investment - a healthy class association means that boats are more likely to retain their value. More importantly you will be helping secure the class as one of the most popular radio racing yacht classes in the UK.
How do I join?
You may download an application/order form in PDF or you may phone/e-mail the association for further details.
Does the association have a constitution?
Yes. A copy is sent to all owners upon joining.
Who are the officials?
The association's President is European RC Laser importer Nigel Seary. Nigel is a full size Laser skipper and keelboat sailor when not running his family business. He is also a pretty nifty RC Laser skipper too. Secretary John Park took to RC racing when forced to give up dinghy racing for reasons of health.
David Smythe started the UK class association in order to encourage class growth in the UK and to strengthen the sport's base through the introduction of new blood. He saw the 'ready-to-sail' strict one design concept of the RC Laser as offering the most potential in achieving that goal.
What is 'The Ranking Series"?
The Ranking Series is a UK-wide series of events in which points are awarded for positions achieved in each event. Each event is scored separately and the winner declared on the day. At the end of the series all scores will be added together, with the appropriate number of discards taken into account (one for each nine races completed). The best three results in the series will count towards determining the season's ranking champion. This means that skippers do not have to enter all four events should they not wish. Go to the Results Page to see the latest UK ranking positions.
What is 'The Travellers' Trophy Series'?
The Travellers' Trophy Series aims to find the most consistent skipper in the class by awarding points for positions achieved in each of a series of 'approved' events staged at various locations around the country - see details below.
UKRCLA TRAVELLER'S TROPHIES - Sponsored in 2003, 2004 and 2005 by Marine Modelling International magazine.
Each year the UKRCLA will nominate six open races to form a Traveller's Series of events. At each event Traveller's points will be awarded to each skipper taking part and after the last race in the year three Traveller's Trophies will be awarded as follows:-
The Traveller's Trophy will be awarded to the skipper with the highest total of Traveller's Points from his/her best counting events.
The Improver's Trophy will be awarded to the skipper who has shown the greatest improvement when comparing the Traveller's Points he has gained from his best counting events in the current year with those he gained similarly in the previous year subject to the following conditions - to qualify for the Improver's Trophy a skipper a) shall have started in the number of counting races in both years under consideration and b) is not the winner of the Traveller's trophy in the year under consideration, in which case the trophy will be awarded to the next best Improver.
The Newcomer's Trophy will be awarded to the skipper with the highest total of Traveller's Points who is in his first year of sailing in the Traveller's Series and providing he has not won the Traveller's Trophy, in which case the trophy will be awarded to the first year skipper with the next highest total of points.
The Diehard Trophy will be presented to every skipper who starts in every event of the series.
Counting Events. Normally there will be 6 qualifying events of which 4 shall be counting events, However should conditions warrant a cancellation of an event or events the number of counting events shall be reduced as follows: 5 qualifying events will give 3 counting events, 4 or less qualifying events will give 2 counting events.
Traveller's Points shall be calculated as follows: Points = ((S - F) x 90) / (S- I )) + 10 rounded to the nearest whole number. Where S is the number of boats that start in at least one heat in the event and F is the skipper's finishing position. (Note: This is not as complicated as it looks - see the downloadable look up table (pdf file) where all the calculations have already been done for events with entries ranging from 6 to 30 boats). Or refer to the table below:-
(Table in progress).