49er
Designed by Julian Bethwaite, 1996
The 49er is a 4.9-metre (16-ft) twin-trapeze dinghy, designed in 1996 by Julian Bethwaite.
Its very light and slender hull makes it the fastest two-man trapeze dinghy currently in existence:
49ers have reached recorded speeds of 24.1 knots (27.73 mph).
The technical skill required to sail 49ers competitively makes them ideal for those who seek the excitement of
racing in a fast, lively and challenging dinghy.
They are raced at club and national levels, and first featured at the Olympic Games in Sydney (2000), where Britain won
a silver medal. Four years later, at the Athens Olympics, Britain won a bronze medal.
49ers are also being raced (at Weymouth) as part of the 2012 London Olympics.