The Tornado is the fastest and most spectacular Olympic Class. With the addition of a spinnaker and another trapeze to the boat for this year, the boat has become the ultimate catamaran speed machine, with a top speed in excess of 30 knots. This exciting sailing craft demands highly competent boat handling skills, superb technical knowledge and clever tactical thinking to be successful in Olympic Regattas. The sight of a Tornado sailing along on one hull at full pace is an impressive sight.

Tornado races are held at fleet, national and international levels. Additionally, there are also World Cup events, Eurolymp events, continental titles as well as many local regattas taking place from the many European lakes to the coast of nearly every continent. The races are quite exciting to watch due to the high speed of the boats.

Over 4,500 Tornados have been built and with 1,300 Class Association Members the International Tornado Class will be competing at its eighth Olympic Games in Athens in the summer of 2004.