Tornado (sailboat)
Olympic catamaran class from 1976 to 2008; multihulls returned in 2016 with the Nacra 17.
The Tornado is a two-person catamaran class with International Class status from World Sailing. It served as the Olympic catamaran from the 1976 Games until 2008.
Rodney March, from England’s Isle of Sheppey, designed the boat in 1967. It won the IYRU Olympic Catamaran Trials, beating out other catamarans to gain international recognition.
In 2001, the Tornado received performance upgrades: a new sail plan added a spinnaker and spinnaker boom, increased the area of existing sails, introduced an extra trapeze, and made the jib self-tacking. It ranks among the fastest two-person catamarans, carrying an ISAF Small Catamaran Handicap Rating System rating of 0.934 and a D-PN of 59.0. Under the RYA Portsmouth Yardstick scheme, it is one of the fastest catamarans, with a 2015 Portsmouth Number of 634 (note: a lower number indicates faster performance).
The Tornado was the multihull equipment at the Olympic Games from 1976 to 2008, after which multihulls were temporarily removed from the programme, returning in 2016 with the Nacra 17.
- Designer
- Rodney March
- Design year
- 1967
- Class type
- Double handed multihull
- Olympic use
- 1976 to 2008
- ISAF rating
- 0.934
- D-PN
- 59.0
- Portsmouth Number (2015)
- 634 (lower is faster)
Lore & Background
The Tornado was designed in 1967 by Rodney March from the Isle of Sheppey, England. It won the IYRU Olympic Catamaran Trials for international status, defeating other catamarans. The boat was modified in 2001 with a new sail plan including a spinnaker and spinnaker boom, increased sail area, an additional trapeze, and a self-tacking jib. It is among the fastest double handed catamarans, with an ISAF Small Catamaran Handicap Rating System rating of 0.934 and a D-PN of 59.0. Under the RYA Portsmouth Yardstick scheme, it is one of the fastest catamarans, with a 2015 Portsmouth Number of 634 (note: a lower number indicates faster performance).
Reader's Guide
The Tornado served as the equipment for the multihull discipline in the Olympic Games from 1976 through 2008, when multihulls were deselected. Its design by Rodney March in 1967 and subsequent 2001 modifications kept it competitive. The class is recognised as an International Class by World Sailing and remains a benchmark for double handed catamarans. Its performance ratings—ISAF 0.934, D-PN 59.0, and Portsmouth Number 634—underscore its speed. The Tornado's Olympic legacy spans eight Games, making it a significant vessel in sailing history.
Did You Know?
- The Tornado was designed in 1967 by Rodney March from the Isle of Sheppey, England.
- It was used for the Catamaran discipline at the Olympic Games from 1976 to 2008.
- The boat was modified in 2001 with a spinnaker, spinnaker boom, increased sail area, an additional trapeze, and a self-tacking jib.
- Under the RYA Portsmouth Yardstick scheme, it is one of the fastest catamarans, with a 2015 Portsmouth Number of 634 (note: a lower number indicates faster performance).
- Multihulls returned to the Olympics in 2016 with the Nacra 17.
More in Olympic sailing classes 1-24
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