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The 49er changed small boat sailors' perception of a modern production dinghy. Before the 49er we were familiar with 18 Foot Skiffs, but in Europe and the USA, especially, they were regarded as well off the 'regular' scale. Most were also custom built. With the 49er's success came inevitable demand from younger sailors. Small surprise the Julian Bethwaite designed 29er took off like a rocket.
New babe in town...
The apparent wind 49er was selected as Olympic in 1996. Ever since it
has delivered spectacular sailing and generated increasing media coverage worldwide up to and including in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
As a result it has been confirmed for the Athens Olympics in 2004.
This is recognition at official level of the Australian skiffs' 'apparent wind' approach to more spectacular sailing which I have
outlined in earlier articles.
Independent evidence, such as increased enrolment and retention rates at sailing schools, indicates that the ISAF's initiative to raise
awareness of sailing by encouraging higher performance and spectacle is beginning to succeed with the wider public. Within the world of
sailing, expectations have also changed. A thrust for better performance is now occurring at all levels.
For the rest of this article please see the August 2001 edition of Seahorse International Sailing....
© 2001 Seahorse Magazine. All rights reserved.