About the 49er FX

The 49erFX is the women’s two-person skiff that is sailed in the Olympics. 49erFX’s are sailed by two people: a skipper who steers the boat and a crew who works with the sails and speed of the boat.

The 49erFX and the 49er (the men’s two-person skiff) are very physically challenging to sail, as the platform is fairly unstable and requires clear communication + synchronized teamwork. It is full of power, begins planing in around 10 knots of breeze, and can reach speeds up to 25mph.

Regatta Format

Each race follows a windward-leeward course marked by buoys and uses a five-minute starting sequence. Most races are two laps (four legs total) and are designed to last around 30 minutes.

Scoring follows a low-point system: 1st place earns 1 point, 2nd place earns 2 points, and so on. The team with the fewest points at the end of the qualifying series leads the standings. The Medal Race, however, is worth double points—making it a critical decider in final rankings.

A typical regatta spans four to six days of racing, beginning with a series of races where sailors compete in three to four races each day. The top ten teams at the end of this series advance to the final day’s Medal Race.