470 (dinghy)
| File:470logo.png Class symbol | |
 | |
| Development | |
|---|---|
| Boat | |
| Crew | 2 (single trapeze) |
| Draft | 500 mm (1 ft 8 in) 1,066 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Hull | |
| Hull weight | 120 kg (260 lb) |
| LOA | 4,700 mm (15 ft 5 in) |
| LWL | 4,400 mm (14 ft 5 in) |
| Beam | 1,690 mm (5 ft 7 in) |
| Sails | |
| Mainsail area | 9.12 m2 (98.2 sq ft) |
| Jib/genoa area | 3.58 m2 (38.5 sq ft) |
| Spinnaker area | 13 m2 (140 sq ft) |
| Current Olympic equipment | |
The 470 (Four-Seventy) is a double-handed monohull planing dinghy with a centreboard, Bermuda rig, and centre sheeting. The name is the overall length of the boat in centimetres (i.e., the boat is 4.70 metres long). The hull is fibreglass with integral buoyancy tanks. The 470 is equipped with spinnaker and trapeze, making teamwork necessary to sail it well. It has a large sail-area-to-weight ratio, and is designed to plane easily.
The 470 is a popular class with both individuals and sailing schools, offering a good introduction to high-performance boats without being excessively difficult to handle. It is not a boat designed for beginners; however, its earlier designed smaller sister, the 420, is a stepping stone to the 470. The 470 is an International Sailing Federation International Class and has been an Olympic class since the 1976 games. The Class was initially an open class, but since the 1988 games there have been separate events for men and women.
History
The 470 was designed in 1963 by the Frenchman André Cornu as a modern fiberglass planing dinghy to appeal to sailors of different sizes and ages. This formula succeeded, and the boat spread around the world. In 1969, the class was given international status and it has been an Olympic class since 1976. In 1988, the first Olympic women's sailing event used the 470.
The sailor
To sail the 470, good physical health is enough; strength is not crucial, while world class 470 sailors spend a large portion of their time on fitness. The competitive crew weight is 110 – 145 kg, making it ideal for both women and men.
Races
World and Continental Championships are organized every year with separate starts for women and men/mixed teams. There is also a World Championship for juniors and a Master World Championship. The 470 is used in regional championships such as the Asian, Mediterranean, and PanAm Games. Entries are limited in important international races, encouraging more competition by requiring qualifying races in most countries.
In the World Championships more than 30 countries have been represented. There are 65 member nations in the International Class Association and more than 40,000 boats have been built in 20 countries on all continents.
Construction
As a strict one-design class, the 470 is required to be built by a licensed builder. Class rules require that construction use materials of the 1960s era, most notably glass reinforced polyester for much of the hull.[1]
Additional Specifications.[2]
- Mast height: 6.78 m (22 ft 3 in)
- Boom length: 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in)
- Spinnaker Pole length: 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
The hull speed of a 470 is 5.1 knots.
Events
The Olympics
The Olympic regatta is not unlike other events in the Olympic Games in that it is the culmination of years of training and competition for an athlete. What differs is that the racing takes place over multiple days, so the sailor has to prepare for what is sure to be a long, demanding event.
World Championships
Until 1985 the competition was open to both sexes. Afterwards races were held separately for male and female competitors. The 470 is an Olympic class since 1988.
References
- ^ 470 Class Rules, available at http://www.sailing.org/1893.php
- ^ 470 Class Homepage, http://www.470.org/content.asp?id=347
See also
External links
