Laser 2 European Championship 2008 were on in Makkum, The Netherlands - 16th until the 22nd of June.

1st place overall:
Nigel Skudder and Keith Hills (GBR 1058

2nd place overlall:
Lisa Buddemeier and Matthias Düwel (GER 10591)

3rd place overall:
Conor Byrne and Han Horlings (IRL 10035)

Winner buddy competition:
Conor Byrne and Han Horlings (IRL 10035)
Wolfgang Greiser and Anne Pape (GER 5376)

as found on www.laser-ireland.com/forum/2067.html
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Subject: Laser II ???
From Ailís
01 April 2006 at 14:35:52

I was recently talked into buying a Laser II. I'm fairly new to the sport but have sailed one before and loved it. Just wondering what the general opinion on Laser IIs is? Is there a racing circut? Is it very competitve?

Click Here To Reply

From irishlaser2
16 May 2006 at 17:17:50

www.irishlaser2.blogspot.com

From Ian
01 April 2006 at 20:27:44

The laser 2 is a very affordable way to get sailing a high performance boat. Unfortunately laser have stopped making them and as a result the international and irish national fleet have dwindled over the past few years. Because of that though you can pick up a really good boat for quite cheap. There are still some laser 2s sailing at sailing clubs around the country and it would be a good boat for club racing. I think that laser 2s are much more fun to sail than laser 1s but if you want big fleets with a high level of competition the laser 1 is your man. Hope that helps, Ian

From ross
03 April 2006 at 20:51:45

Laser 2 is a great boat.Old isaf youth boat but thats a while back.Its Fast and fun.Competition is on the down side at the moment but thre is still plenty knocking around with keen racers.They mostly race py fleet as most clubs only have a couple.

From James
04 April 2006 at 11:54:57

Laser II's are a great boat. Used to be very competitive. We boast a World and European champion. The English fleet is still very active. Pity that the Irish fleet is run by students, who let it dwindle ! But there are at least 40 active boats in the country. Look up the English association for hints and tips. Laser have recently started building new boats, which is always a good sign. Hopefully the fleet is on the way back. The irish association has a website, have a look at it too.

From Steven Armstrong
05 April 2006 at 13:31:27

Wasting your time with a Laser 2 if you want to go far in this sport. First of all, Irish crews have won both the World and European Championships in the past 3 seasons. This is the only class other than the Mirror in which Ireland can win such international events, which completeley takes away any credibility attached to those classes. If all you are interested in doing in this sport is winning a World Championships, and kidding yourself into a false state of self-proclaimed glory, than this boat is for you. If you are very new to the sport, then perhaps it is a good way to learn how to win, but move on quickly, as you will realise that there are hundreds of far more competitive classes out there, even in this country! By the way, Laser does actually build a batch of new Laser 2's every so often, but they are not a production class anymore. They are also not a 'high performance' boat anymore by today's standards. Steve

From James
05 April 2006 at 14:53:34

Steve, I don't agree with some of your points. The Laser II was up to 2004 was a hugely successful and competitive fleet. Ger Owens, Tom Fitz, Laura Dillon all sailed the boats. Tom Fitz was 4th (i think) in the worlds in 97 and Laura was 2nd, behind two New Zealands who went on to sail in the America cup on the winning team new zealand. I totally agree that since 2004 the fleet has gone down. But the Worlds were in Canada last year with 60 boats and the Europeans are in Teignmouth Devon this August. All that needs to happen is people get their boats out and bring the Laser II back to the fore. Ireland World Champion, Noel Butler is probably the most dedicated amatuer sailor in the country, and Chris Forrestal as European Champion is an excellent sailor. For such a cheap boat it has excellent potential.

From Mike
05 April 2006 at 15:33:11

I contest that Steven Armstrong is wasting his time in a Laser destined to be a nobody nationally and never to feature internationally. Noel Butler is the most ruthless, committed competitor in the Laser 2 I ever came a