Australian designer, sailor, and best known as the man behind the winged keel that in 1983, ended US dominance in the America’s Cup. His given name was Bob Miller. In the 1960’s, with friend Craig Whitworth, he founded a boatbuilding, sailmaking and shipchandlery firm (Miller and Whitworth). He was an influencial figure in the evolution of the well known Australian 18 foot skiffs in which he won the world championswhips. He was also Flying Dutchman Australian National Champion. Miller represented Australia at the 1972 Munich Olympics in the Soling class. His involvement with the America’s Cup began as designer of the Southern Cross,(challanger of 1974, and Australia I, in 1977 and 1980. But it was the match of 1983, when Australia II defeated Liberty in the last race, were more people, around the world, paid attention to this event than probably ever will again. (rb - 2009)
