Nacra 17: The Flagship of the Foiling Revolution in Olympic Sailing

With the arrival of foils, Olympic sailing has entered a new era. And if there is one boat that perfectly embodies this technological revolution, it is the Nacra 17: a mixed-gender catamaran that is fast, physical, and spectacular, a true symbol of modern sailing.

In Marseille, this class promises breathtaking images and some of the most fiercely contested races of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Let’s discover what makes the Nacra 17 such a unique boat.

1. From Innovation to Olympic Status

Introduced to the Olympic Games for the first time at Rio 2016, the Nacra 17 replaced the Tornado class.

From its arrival, it immediately stood out for:

• • • its mixed-gender crew

    • its high speed

    • its agility

    • its ability to lift and fly on foils

For Tokyo 2020, the boat evolved even further:
foiling in permanent flight mode became authorized, completely transforming both sensations and performance.

The Nacra 17 then became:

• • • faster

    • more unstable

    • more physically demanding

    • more spectacular

    • more technical

A true revolution in Olympic sailing.

2. Technical Characteristics of the Nacra 17

The Nacra 17 is a catamaran designed entirely for speed and flight:

• • • Length: 5.25 m

    • Beam: 2.59 m

    • Mainsail: 14.5 m²

    • Jib: 5 m²

    • Spinnaker: 25 m²

    • Curved foils allowing takeoff

    • Mandatory mixed-gender crew

Why Mixed-Gender?

Because this boat requires:

• • • power (helmsman or crew role)

    • agility

    • coordination

    • fine technical control

The male/female balance offers exceptional complementarity and perfectly illustrates the modern evolution of sailing.

3. A Spectacular and Highly Demanding Boat

On the water, the Nacra 17 literally flies.
Once on its foils, it reaches impressive speeds, forcing crews to react in fractions of a second.

To perform at the highest level, a crew must master:

• • • flight control (height and stability)

    • gust management

    • maneuver coordination

    • wave reading

    • constant communication

    • calculated risk-taking

Capsizes are frequent, mistakes are costly, and every maneuver requires surgical precision.

The Nacra 17 is pure adrenaline.

4. The Nacra 17 Race Format

As with other double-handed dinghies and skiffs, the Olympic format is as follows:

➡ 12 races over 5 days

• • • approximately 20 to 25 minutes each

    • a very intense rhythm

➡ Low-point scoring system

• • • 1 point for 1st, 2 points for 2nd, etc.

    • the worst result is discarded

➡ Medal Race

• • • final race for the top 10

    • double points

    • around 20 minutes of high-intensity tactics

    • a format designed for maximum spectacle

On a catamaran this fast and sensitive, the Medal Race can completely reshuffle the leaderboard.

5. France and the Nacra 17: Strong Potential

France has a strong tradition in multihull sailing, driven by its offshore racing culture and its creative, highly technical sailors.

Key points:

• • • France has regularly featured in the world top 10

    • several French crews have achieved international podiums

    • the current generation is talented and continuously progressing

In Marseille, the variable winds, swell, and coastal effects will highlight experience, consistency, and the ability to foil in unstable conditions.

If France finds the right technical and mental balance, the Nacra 17 could deliver a great surprise.

Conclusion: The Nacra 17, the Future of Modern Sailing

Flight, speed, precision, commitment — the Nacra 17 is the very essence of the future of sailing.
This mixed-gender catamaran combines:

• • • innovation

    • gender equality

    • spectacle

    • technical mastery

    • teamwork

    • physical demand

A magnificent, demanding, and emblematic boat of the new Olympic generation.

To explore how this mastery of risk, flight, and coordination can inspire leaders and teams, discover my keynote talks, immersive workshops, and executive coaching programs.

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