Tornado (sailboat)

The Tornado is an two person multihull class recognised as an International Class by the International Sailing Federation. It was used for the Olympic Catamaran discpline for over 30 years.

Background

The boat was designed in 1967 by Rodney March of Brightlingsea, England, with help from Terry Pierce, and Reg White, specifically for the purpose of becoming the Olympic catamaran. At the IYRU Olympic Catamaran Trials, it easily defeated the other challengers.

To increase its performance even further, the Tornado was modified in 2000, with a new sail-plan which included a Spinnaker and Spinnaker boom, as well as an increased sail area of the existing sails. An additional trapeze was also added, and the jib was made self tacking.

The Tornado typically flies one of its two hulls; the crew balancing the boat with their own weight and by controlling the sails. With only one hull in the water, drag is significantly reduced. The Tornado also features an adjustable, rotating mast, which not only greatly improves the aerodynamics of the crucial leading edge of the sail, but also allows improved control over mast bend and thus mainsail flatness. For the high speeds and apparent wind directions seen by this high speed vessel, a flat sail profile is often required.

The Tornado is still among the fastest 2-person catamarans, with an ISAF Small Catamaran Handicap Rating System rating of 0.934, and some have characterized the Tornado class as "the Formula One of sailing".

Events

Olympics

The Tornado was used as the as equipment for the multihull discipline in the Olympic Games from 1976 through 2008, when multihulls were deselected. Please see the individual years for results Olympic Sailing Regatta

Open World Champions

Mixed World Champions

First held in 2011

External links

• The Tornado design official class rules
• International Tornado Association
• THE STORY OF THE TORNADO
• VIDEO OF THE TORNADO

• ISAF Tornado Microsite