Alois Roland

Alois Roland (born c. 1920s–1930s; exact dates not widely documented in English records) was a Belgian naval architect renowned for his contributions to lightweight racing dinghy design during the mid-20th century. Primarily active in Europe, Roland specialized in high-performance single-handed sailboats that emphasized planing hulls, technical trimming, and accessibility for lighter crews, influencing the development of women's and youth sailing classes. His most enduring legacy is the Europe Dinghy (designed in 1960), a 3.35 m cat-rigged sloop that became the Olympic women's single-handed class from 1992 to 2008, with over 3,000 hulls built worldwide. Roland's work bridged the gap between traditional Moth dinghies and modern one-design racers, promoting skill over strength in an era when sailing was increasingly inclusive.