Tom Schnackenberg

Thomas William Schnackenberg (born 11 May 1945) 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. 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

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

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 (OAM) for service as sail coordinator in the 1983 America's Cup challenge

1995: Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) 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