What is a 49erFX in Olympic sailing?

The 49erFX has made a big impact in its short time at the Olympic Games.

One of the glamour events of the Games, the demands of the high-performance skiff is a perfect showcase for the power and athleticism of female sailors.

Here’s your guide to 49erFX women’s skiff events at Paris 2024.

 

What is 49erFX?

The 49e9FX is a skiff. Skiffs are the high-performance end of sailing – fast, light and tough.

It is called a 49erFX because the hull of the boat measures 4.99 metres.

At Paris 2024, the 49erFX will be raced by two women. It was introduced to the Olympic programme at Rio 2016.

Its brother design, the 49er, will be raced by two men and was brought in at Sydney 2000.

How does 49erFX work?

In a 49erFX crew, one sailor plays the role of helm and the other plays the role of crew.

Like the 49er, the helm makes tactical decisions and steers the boat, while the crew undertakes more of the physical work and controls the sails.

Its unstable platform makes it one of the most physically challenging boats at the Olympics, requiring clear communication, intense focus and teamwork.

 

Who are the previous Olympic medallists?

Tokyo 2020: Gold – Martine Grael, Kahena Kunze (Brazil), Silver – Tina Lutz, Susann Beucke (Germany), Bronze – Annemiek Bekkering, Annette Duetz (Netherlands)

Rio 2016: Gold – Martine Grael, Kahena Kunze (Brazil), Silver – Alex Maloney, Molly Meech (New Zealand), Bronze – Jena Mai Hansen, Katja Salskov-Iversen (Denmark)

Who are the top athletes in 49erFX?

In the 49erFX, the Paris Olympiad has been a tussle for dominance between Dutch duo of Odile van Aanholt and Annette Duetz and Swedish pair Vilma Bobeck and Rebecca Netzler.

Van Aanholt and Duetz were crowned world champions in comprehensive style in 2022, with Bobeck and Netzler taking silver. The Swedes were dominant at the 2023 Allianz Sailing World Championships, before the Dutch regained the world title in a tighter contest in Lanzarote earlier this year.

Brazil’s Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze, who have won both Olympic gold medals in this class, are still competing and finished second at the Paris 2024 Test Event in Marseille.

When is the 49erFX event at Paris 2024?

49erFX racing starts on Sunday 28 July and ends on Thursday 1 August.