Tom Schnackenberg
Thomas William Schnackenberg 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, 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. He returned to New Zealand in 1978 to establish a branch of North Sails there.America's Cup Involvement
1980: Designed sails for Australia1983: Sail coordinator for Australia II
1987: Sail coordinator for Australia III and Australia IV
1988: Joined New Zealand Challenge, helped design KZ1
1992: Part of Spirit of Australia challenge in the Louis Vuitton Cup
1995: Design coordinator and navigator for Team New Zealand
2000: Continued with Team New Zealand
2003: Promoted to syndicate head for Team New Zealand
2007: Performance data analyst for Luna Rossa Challenge
2010: Part of Alinghi team
2013: Data analyst for Artemis Racing
Olympic Involvement
Schnackenberg coached the New Zealand yachting team for the Olympic Games in 1992, 1996, and 2000.Honours and awards
1984: Honorary Medal of the Order of Australia for service as sail coordinator in the 1983 America's Cup challenge1995: Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to yachting
2001: Honorary Doctor of Engineering from the University of Auckland
2001: Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of British Columbia