49er, 49erFX, 29er: The fast-paced world of skiffs
“We are very much looking forward to presenting the 29er, 49er and 49erFX skiff classes for the first time at the Warnemünder Woche to welcome. The new port infrastructure with the two slip ramps is perfect for the gliding dinghies,” says Ralf Bergel, Chairman of the Warnemünder Woche. The three classes will compete in the second half of the event, from July 6th to 9th.
In addition to a modern infrastructure, there is a lot of service that is offered to sailors in Warnemünde. For example, the well-rehearsed team of helpers organizes a slip car service, where the sailors can simply sail off after slipping and leave the slip car behind. The helpers take care of everything else, including ensuring that the correct slip car is waiting at the ramp for the sailors when they return from the regatta course. “This avoids chaos at the two slip ramps and the sailors can concentrate on themselves and the races,” says Ralf Bergel. Sports director Peter Ramcke adds: “For us it is always crucial that the focus is on the sailor. I think that's what draws them Warnemünder Woche The best possible organization is also ensured on the water, as Christina Bruch and the Dane Peter Lübeck are in charge of the race management for the three classes.
The 29er has become one of the most popular classes for young sailors. The light, fast and maneuverable two-man boats require a high level of technical skill and place high demands on teamwork, making them ideal for use in youth sports. Designed by Australian boatbuilders Julian and Frank Bethwaite in 1998, the 29er is a skiff characterized by its slim hull shape and low weight. With a length of 4,45 meters and a width of 1,77 meters, the 29er offers sailors an exciting sailing experience at high speed and maneuverability. The 29er is known for its demanding handling, requiring both physical fitness and mental strength. The crew consists of the helmsman and foreman, who have to work together perfectly to sail the boat optimally in different wind conditions. The 29er offers an ideal platform, especially for young people, to develop their sailing skills and prepare for higher competition classes. The 29er serves as a springboard for ambitious sailors who later want to move up to classes like the 49er.
The premier class of skiffs is the 49er and its variant, the 49erFX. They represent the pinnacle of high performance sailing and are an integral part of many international regattas, including the Olympic Games. The 49er was also developed three years before the 29er, in 1995, by Australian boat builders Julian and Frank Bethwaite and is the fastest two-man boat in its class. With a length of 4,99 meters and a width of 2,9 meters, the 49er is characterized by its light weight, slim hull shape and impressive speed. As with the 29er, the crew consists of a helmsman and foreman who have to perfect their skills in the areas of communication, technology, tactics and body control in order to be successful.
The 49erFX was introduced in 2011 to create a dedicated boat class for women in skiff sailing. The 49erFX has the same hull shape as the 49er, but differs in terms of rigging and sail area. The 49erFX features smaller mainsails, headsails and gennakers, making the boat easier to handle while still offering a high level of speed and maneuverability. The 49erFX class quickly established itself and was used for the first time at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The main differences between the two classes are the sail area and the target group. While the 49er can reach higher speeds due to its larger sail area, the 49erFX is tailored to the physical demands of female sailors without compromising on performance. However, both classes require a high level of technical skill, teamwork and physical fitness. 49erFX and 49er have revolutionized the sailing world and are helping to further establish high-performance sailing as a fascinating and demanding sport.
The special conditions off Warnemünde offer both challenging and varied sailing, and are perfect for fast and maneuverable skiffs. The open water offers enough space for the gliding dinghies to take full advantage of their high speeds and maneuverability. In particular, it is the waves off Warnemünde that make the area one of the most popular. The combination of these conditions is ideal for the fast-paced action and technical maneuvers typical of the 29er and 49er. In addition, Warnemünde offers the rare luxury of very short distances to the regatta courses, which is appreciated by sailors.
Photo: DSV / Sailing Energy
