Nic Asher and Elliot Willis (GBR) came up with the goods when it really counted beating 3 time World Champions Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page in a tightly fought regatta. Nic and Elliot's win has come on the tail of a season of good results where they have paved the way for an exciting lead up to the Games.
For Marcelien de Koning and Lobke Berkout (NED) it was sweet victory in the predominantly light conditions proving they have the all round package. (They won the Worlds last year in fresh conditions on San Francisco Bay).
"photos from www.xpeditionbeemsterlite.com"

Congratulations USA, GBR and JPN - All 3 medallists in the mens 470 at Athens sailed Mackay boats.

MacKay Boats dominate 2004 European Championship

Men:

Nick Rogers and Joe Granfield (GBR) won the Europeans in Germany in July.    Consistently in the top 3 in major regattas, it was great to see Nick and Joe doing the winning. 

Olympic silver medallists, Paul Foerster and Kevin Burnham (USA) put together a string of good results to finish 3rd. 

Five of the top ten sailed MacKay 470s.

Women:

Michaela and Susanne Ward (DEN) showed that they have still go what it takes by winning the Europeans.   They have changed to a Mackay hull for this Olympic campaign. 

3rd place went to Katie McDowell and Isabelle Kinsolving (USA).  This was their first podium finish and they are looking good for the games. 

New Rudder Head Ruling

470 class measurers in consultation with ISAF have decided at measurement in Athens that the new MacKay cast aluminium rudder head is class legal.  They have nominated a measurement of 20mm as the maximum distance that the flange at the bottom of the rudder head can extend forward of the centre of the rudder pintle. 

We introduced this rudder head to our boats in April 2004.  There are 3 advantages over the standard Matrix rudder head. 

1.  The flange at the bottom of the rudder head fits the rudder perfectly including around the leading edge of the rudder.  This prevents the water from spraying up the sides of the rudder and inside the rudder head. 

2.  The leading edge of the rudder is parallel to and directly below the line of the gudgeon pintles.  This enables the rudder to be balanced without having to tilt the bottom of the rudder forward at and inefficient angle. 

3.  The rudder head supports the rudder over a greater distance.  There is less chance of the rudder twisting within the rudder head.