The Mixed 470: Where Sailing Tradition Meets Gender Equality

If you spend time around sailing clubs, you have surely seen this iconic dinghy in boat parks and hangars: the 470. A historic, demanding, elegant, and highly educational boat, it has long been a pillar of Olympic sailing.

With Paris 2024, the 470 enters a new era: it becomes exclusively mixed-gender, perfectly symbolizing the evolution of sport toward greater equity and complementarity.

Let’s explore what makes the 470 one of the most technical and strategic boats in the Olympic Games.

1. The History of the 470 at the Olympic Games

Designed in 1960, the 470 was introduced to the Olympic Games in 1976.
Historically, two events existed:

• • • one men’s event

    • one women’s event

    • using exactly the same boat

This double representation reflected:

• • • the central role of the 470 in global sailing

    • its high technical demands

    • its strong tactical potential

    • its ability to embody gender equity

In 2024, a major evolution takes place:
the 470 becomes a single mixed-gender Olympic event.

This change fully aligns with the IOC’s commitment to gender equality and further strengthens the strategic dimension of this class.

2. Technical Characteristics of the Mixed 470

The 470 is a two-person dinghy with very precise dimensions:

• • • Length: 4.70 m

    • Mainsail: 8.75 m²

    • Jib: 3.85 m²

    • Symmetrical spinnaker: 14 m² with pole

    • Total crew weight: 110–130 kg

A Non-Strict One-Design Class

Unlike the ILCA or the 49er, the 470 is not a strict one-design class.
A measurement rule defines what is allowed.

As a result:

• • • each boat can be optimized

    • sails can be developed

    • the centerboard can be refined

    • settings are extremely precise

The 470 is a platform where technical innovation plays a key role, as long as it remains within the limits of the class rules.

3. The Key Strengths of a High-Performance Mixed 470 Crew

The 470 is one of the most technical and demanding boats in Olympic sailing.

To perform at the highest level, a crew must excel in three areas.

Complementarity

Each sailor must bring their own strengths to reinforce the team:

• • • technical skills

    • physical capacity

    • decision-making

    • spinnaker handling

    • wind reading

The duo must function as a single entity.

Communication

Every maneuver, every tack, every gybe requires perfect coordination.
On such a sensitive boat, even a small misalignment can be extremely costly.

Tactical Intelligence

The 470 rewards crews capable of:

• • • reading wind shifts precisely

    • anticipating changes

    • adapting to sea-state variations

    • making the right decisions at the right time

Victory is won as much with the mind as with the hands.

4. Race Format: Consistency and Endurance

The Olympic format of the Mixed 470 is demanding.

➡ 10 races over 5 days
Two races per day of around 50 minutes each.

➡ Low-point scoring system
1 point for 1st, 2 points for 2nd, etc.
The worst result is discarded.

➡ Medal Race

• • • Top 10 qualify

    • Around 30 minutes

    • Double points

    • A decisive final race

Consistency is the key: it is impossible to win without being solid throughout the entire week.

5. France: A Tradition of Excellence in the 470

The 470 is a historic medal class for France.

Marseille Test Event

Last summer, the crew of Camille Lecointre & Jérémie Mion won gold at the Olympic Test Event.

Their preparation is exemplary:

• • • training base in Marseille to master the racecourse

    • extensive Olympic experience

    • strong technical synergy

    • a very high level of tactical reading

They are among France’s strongest medal contenders for Paris 2024.

Conclusion: A Demanding… and Deeply Human Boat

The Mixed 470 embodies:

• • • technical precision

    • complementarity

    • communication

    • strategy

    • gender balance

    • Olympic tradition

It is a demanding, beautifully balanced training boat where victory is achieved together.

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