• en

Advanatages of the FX…

A proven platform

  • The 49er was a quantum leap in terms of high performance Olympic sailing. It still leads the field.
  • It’s a boat that captures the essence of true Olympic athleticism, based on a strict and well proven one design concept.
  • The FX rig is perfectly suited to the 49er hull. The performance is outstanding.

Low cost

  • An existing supply of used 49er hulls available worldwide enables women teams to enter the class at a reduced cost.
  • Many MNA’s already have a number of 49er hulls.
  • The conversion from an existing 49er is simple and low cost. For around €5500 the new FX mast and sails can be put onto an existing 49er.
  • 49er costs are well proven. There is no chance of large price increases once the true cost of manufacturing a boat to Olympic standard is discovered.
  • The strength and durability of the 49er is well proven. There will not be costs associated with replacing equipment as it goes through a development cycle.

Fast supply

  • Delays due to teething problems associated with bringing any new class to Olympic standard will be largely averted with the FX on the 49er platform.
  • The builders are already well proven Olympic class builders and the production tooling is already in place and operational.
  • There is already an existing network of dealers and suppliers in place world wide.
  • The Southern Spars and North Sails have well established production facilities. They have already made test production runs of FX masts and sails.
  • ISAF will manage the initial supply of rigs so that all MNAs will have the opportunity to receive rigs at the same time.

Reliable equipment from established one design suppliers

  • The hulls, wings and foils are made by established Olympic Class boat builders – Ovington Boats, McConaghy Boats and MacKay Boats. All well experienced in the manufacture of strict one design boats.
  • Southern Spars manufacture the FX masts in a facility with tight management and control procedures that ensure rigs are built within tight tolerances. The 49er mast is also made at Southern Spars and has been accepted by the class as being of a highly uniform performance and quality.
  • North Sails manufacture the sails and have a solid reputation across many classes for producing quality strict one design sails.

Lower campaign costs

The opportunity to share equipment, coaching, transport and regatta costs between the men and women skiff teams will reduce campaign costs.

It is easy to run joint training and racing with both the 49er and FX. There is very little difference in performance between the 2 boats.

The FX will have popular support from weekend warrior and youth sailors who find the 49er too much of a handful. FX fleets will be large. Quality racing will be found closer to home. True high performance

The FX is a true high performance skiff. It demands athleticism, balance, skill and daring. The FX is a skiff that will show to the world how spectacular our sport is and what amazing athletes our women sailors are.

Our top women sailors want a skiff that is thrilling in 10 knots and still racing in 25 knots. This is the FX.

Media and spectators already love the FX. The women’s skiff event in the FX has the potential to be one of the glamour events of the entire Olympics.