Superyacht fishing competition ahead of NZ Millennium Cup

Seemingly the world’s first superyacht fishing competition will be taking place prior to the NZ Millennium Cup superyacht regatta next February. Held in the Bay of Islands, the contest is expected to see superyacht competitors fishing for snapper, kahawai or even game fish.

Although fishing contest details are still to be announced, frequent competitors in global superyacht regattas like J Class Velsheda, Win Win, Pumula, Kawil, and Wavelength will join regular NZ Millennium Cup entries Silvertip, Tawera, Sassa-fras, and Janice of Wyoming as they race in the regatta.

Also joining them for the first time in the antipodean race will be Black Sails, Cili-am, Altair, Ammonite, Hetairos, and Anemoi.

“The regatta is based in Russell, in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands which is an incredibly-special part of the world, and we’re expecting up to 35 yachts to enter,” says event manager Stacey Cook.

The Bay of Islands-based superyacht events will be followed by the RNZYS Mastercard Superyacht Regatta back in Auckland.

“Entries are lining up for the RNZYS Mastercard Superyacht Regatta where many of the NZ Millennium Cup fleet will continue their rivalry,” says RNZYS’ Andrew Delves.

A J Class Championship will follow before a J Class Exhibition race, and then the 36th America’s Cup Match will round out March 2021.

The NZ Millennium Cup will be in its 13th edition in 2021 and was first raced as an adjunct to the 30th America’s Cup in Auckland. Now, with the 36th America’s Cup approaching, organisers have been excited to see an increase of interest both in the regatta and in New Zealand’s wider cruising grounds.