Tom Schnackenberg Explained

Thomas William Schnackenberg (born 11 May 1945)^[1] is a New Zealand sailor and yacht designer best known for his involvement with the America's Cup. He was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame in 2000.

Early Life and Education

Schnackenberg attended Auckland Grammar School before earning a master's degree in physics from the University of Auckland and enrolling for a Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia.

Having served in the Auckland Grammar School Sea Cadets, Schnackenberg joined the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNZNVR), later acquiring a commission as a Reserve officer at HMNZS Ngapona.

Career in Sailing

Schnackenberg joined North Sails in 1974 and was first involved with the 1977 America's Cup as a sailmaker for US-27 "Enterprise", skippered by Lowell North.^[2] He returned to New Zealand in 1978 to establish a branch of North Sails there.

America's Cup Involvement

1980: Designed sails for Australia

1983: Sail coordinator for Australia II (victorious)

1987: Sail coordinator for Australia III and Australia IV (unsuccessful defense)

1988: Joined New Zealand Challenge, helped design KZ1^[3]

1992: Part of Spirit of Australia challenge in the Louis Vuitton Cup

1995: Design coordinator and navigator for Team New Zealand (victorious)

2000: Continued with Team New Zealand (successful defense)

2003: Promoted to syndicate head for Team New Zealand (unsuccessful defense)

2007: Performance data analyst for Luna Rossa Challenge^{[4] [5]}

2010: Part of Alinghi team^[6]

2013: Data analyst for Artemis Racing^{[7] [8]}

Olympic Involvement

Schnackenberg coached the New Zealand yachting team for the Olympic Games in 1992, 1996, and 2000.^[9]

Honours and Awards

1984: Honorary Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service as sail coordinator in the 1983 America's Cup challenge^[10]

1995: Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to yachting^[11]

2001: Honorary Doctor of Engineering from the University of Auckland^[12]

2001: Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of British Columbia^[13]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Suzanne McFadden . 20 August 2002 . And then there was one – Tom Schnackenberg . 30 June 2017 . NZ Herald.
2. Web site: Grant Dalton introduces the team – Scoop News . Scoop.co.nz.
3. Web site: 16 September 2013 . Eight Months to Mars – Tom Schnackenberg – Jesse Mulligan, 1–4pm, 1:20 pm on 16 September 2013 . Radionz.co.nz.
4. Web site: America's Cup: Schnack walks plank .
5. Web site: Schnackenberg speaks on Team NZ departure .
6. Web site: Yachting: 'Schnack' heads design for Cup holder .
7. Web site: Auckland engineers boost America's Cup crews – The University of Auckland . 21 August 2017 . Auckland.ac.nz.
8. Web site: Artemis Racing . 21 August 2017 . Tvnz.co.nz.
9. Web site: Famous past students – The University of Auckland . Auckland.ac.nz.
10. News: 26 January 1984 . Australia Day 1984 honours . 7 September 2020 . Commonwealth of Australia Gazette . 1 . S22.
11. Web site: 19 October 2012 . Queen's Birthday honours list 1995 . 6 September 2020 . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
12. Book: University of Auckland Calendar 2002 . 633 . 7 September 2020.
13. Web site: Honorary Degrees – Chronological | University Archives Blog .