In May 2012 the World Sailing selected the Nacra 17 as the equipment for the mixed multihull event at Rio 2016. It was the first time there has been a mixed discipline on the Olympic sailing program. Nacra Sailing International is a Dutch company and based in Scheveningen (The Hague). Morrelli & Melvin designed the Nacra 17. The curved dagger boards add a distinct dimension to the catamaran sailing. In February 2013, the Nacra 17 was selected HISWA Boat of the Year.

The NACRA 17 is used as the exclusive Olympic Multihull equipment in the “mixed multihull class” running up to the Olympic Games. Every year there are several World Sailing World Cups, World Championships and other continental championships where the elite sailors of the world in the catamaran are racing one another.