| COWES, UK-(7-7-2004) Crackerjack, owned by Keith Miller, took victory after countback following a fiercely competitive Swan 45 Northern European Area Championship. Hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, Isle of Wight, this third Area Championship of 2004 provided the top level racing that is now standard on the Swan 45 Class circuit.
After two days of windward-leeward racing in conditions ranging from forty knots to six knots, the results were extremely close. The three leading boats were tied on 16 points, forcing the honours to be decided by countback. McFly, owned by Tony Mack, took second position, with Charles Swingland's Piper at the Gates of Dawn in third.
Keith Miller, the delighted owner of Crackerjack was full of praise for Nautor: `Many thanks for running such a successful regatta. As ever the racing was superb. Thank you to everyone involved for giving us such a great Swan 45 Championship.`
Having established a new Swan 45 Northern European Area Champion, Crackerjack and the rest of the Northern European Area fleet will travel to Capri in October to determine the first ever World Champion of this competitive One-Design Class. The inaugural Swan 45 Gold Cup, will take place from 9 to 15 October, hosted by the Yacht Club Capri and Yacht Club Italiano, in Capri. With over forty Swan 45s around the world, it is anticipated that more than twenty-five will gather in Capri to compete for the prestigious Gold Cup.
Results after six races with one discard:
1. Crackerjack K Miller (1,1,2,4,5,3) 16 points
2. McFly T Mack (4,4,1,1,2) 16 points
3. Piper C Swingland
(2,2,5,3,3,1) 16 points
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