Tokao Otani, a member of the development consortium, pointed out that there was a tariff in Japan for boats over 5 metres long. It has a fine entry to efficiently transition between the low speed displacement, and high speed planing modes. According to the International 49er class rules, the minimum hull weight including all permanent fittings can not be less than 94.0 kg. Racing 49er and 49erFX racing is incredibly competitive. Teams race for Olympic glory, with the pinnacle sought being the Olympic Games every four years. Some of the biggest superstars of sailing have emerged from 49er sailing including: - 1997-1999 World Champion Chris Nicholson who went on to lead multiple Volvo Ocean Race campaigns - 2002, 2004, and 2010 World Champions Iker Martinez de Lizarduy and Xabier Fernández who each went on to lead multiple Volvo Ocean Race campaigns - 2009, 2011, and 2012 World Champion Nathan Outteridge who lead the ArtemisAmerica's Cup team and the Japanese Sail GP team - 2013-2016 World Champions Peter Burling and Blair Tuke won the 2017 America's Cup and each narrowly lost out on winning the 2018 Volvo Ocean Race Racing for the 49er class can best be followed via 49er.org Spars Southern Spars, part of the North Technology Group, is the licensed supplier of the 49er mast. It is a three piece male-moulded assembly made from 100% standard modulus carbon. It is 7.0 meters tall and capable of supporting a combined crew weight up to 165 kg from its dual trapeze. The mast is braced by three sets of shrouds that connect to a fitting on the side of the boat. The crew is able to adjust them by tightening or loosening them, depending on the wind speed and sea states. The boom is made from an aluminium alloy extrusion. Foils The rudder and daggerboard are made out from a composite of epoxy, carbon and glass, covered by a hard gelcoat surface. The head of each class legal foil carries the embossed 49er logo and the ICA label. Sails The 49er contains three sails: a main sail, jib, and spinnaker. The main and jib are 20 square meters, fully battened and made of reinforced Mylar (film polyester). The main was redesigned in 2007 from a full, curved roach plan to having a square on top in order to provide more sail area and to control more shape adjustment. The spinnaker is